Major
Chemistry
Anticipated Graduation Year
2028
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution threatens environmental and human health, particularly in urban areas with long industrial histories. This study explored soil analysis methods for heavy metal detection, comparing acid digestion with nitric acid and acid washing with citric and oxalic acid. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was used to quantify copper, cadmium, chromium, and lead in soil samples. While acid washing is a greener method, the results were less consistent than the acid digestion method. By identifying the most effective procedure for assessing heavy metal contamination, this research enhances environmental assessments and contributes to improved mitigation strategies to address pollution.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Alyssa Tovar, Graduate Student, Department of Chemistry; Martina Schmeling, Faculty, Department of Chemistry
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Method Development of Extraction and Measurement of Heavy Metals from Chicago Industrial Corridor Soil Samples
Heavy metal pollution threatens environmental and human health, particularly in urban areas with long industrial histories. This study explored soil analysis methods for heavy metal detection, comparing acid digestion with nitric acid and acid washing with citric and oxalic acid. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was used to quantify copper, cadmium, chromium, and lead in soil samples. While acid washing is a greener method, the results were less consistent than the acid digestion method. By identifying the most effective procedure for assessing heavy metal contamination, this research enhances environmental assessments and contributes to improved mitigation strategies to address pollution.