Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Environmental Chemistry:

Despite the fact that heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that could be found all through the earth’s crust, their use in industries, health care, agriculture, and various other applications are rapidly evolving due to increased use of nano-scale materials compared to traditional bulk materials Exemplarily, in 2004, an estimated 1.52 million metric tons of lead were exploited for a number of industrial applications in the US. Heavy metals are also considered as trace elements owing to their presence in ultra-low concentrations (from low ppb range up to 10 ppm) in different environmental matrices. However, studies show these metallic elements induce multiple organ damage even at low-level exposure. The wide distribution of these ubiquitous elements such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, and lead, has raised ecological and public health concerns. Human exposure to heavy metals is primarily through natural water and drinking water contact.

This contamination is a result of residential and industrial waste that has gradually increased the toxicity and carcinogenicity of tap water and natural waters in the Shreveport and Bossier City area of Louisiana. Heavy metals, such as Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), and Copper (Cu), contribute to the noxious effects of the bodies of water. Collection and analysis of the heavy metals were done using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Water samples from both tap and natural water sources were collected from various Shreveport and Bossier City locations. About four percent of the samples exceeded the heavy metal concentrations limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The results will provide the drinking water treatment facilities important information that will help them remain proactive with respect to protecting and assuring the public health of residents.

Dr. Ray Mu

Assistant Professor, Centenary College of Louisiana

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