Detecting Aluminum in Drinking Water Erica Sandoval Dr. Henry Altmiller

Hypothesis & Goals Low levels of Aluminum in drinking water can be detected using a Photometric technique and GC-MS. Fluorescence Method GC-MS

Methodology 1.O-Phenanthroline (15mM) and Be 2+ (0.1M) 2.Sodium Acetate Buffer Solution 3.Lumogallion 4.Heated 5.Triton 6.Measure Fluorescence

Problem Detecting 2x10 -3 M Needed to Detect 7.413x10 -7 M

Variables Changed Sodium Acetate Buffer Time Triton Lumogallion Temperature

Neat vs. Diluted Triton 1% v/v Triton 1% v/v

Sodium Acetate Buffer 100uL pH= uL pH= uL pH=4.97 pH=4.49 pH=4.97 pH=4.03

Time 30 minutes 45 minutes 60 minutes 60 min 45 min 30 min

Temperature 25 o C 4 o C 25 o C 4oC4oC

Lumogallion 100 uL = 2.85x10 -6 M 200 uL = 5.67x10 -6 M 300 uL = 8.46x10 -6 M 5.67x10 -6 M 8.46x10 -6 M 2.85x10 -6 M

Optimum Conditions Found Excess lumogallion Neat Triton 1 hour pH 5 4 o C

All Aluminum Chelated Why Fluorescent Intensity Improves More Viscous Less Collisions More time to form complex

Testing 7.413x10 -7 M Solution Different color Less Fluorescent Intensity pH=4.96 pH=4.83 pH=4.77

What About the Instrument? Slit Width – Excitation – Emission

Accomplished Found Optimum Conditions Learned Instrument

Conclusion Test Drinking Water Begin GC-MS Technique Different Water Source