Determination of sulfate in pond water

CHED 393

Raphny Alexandre, ralex007@fiu.edu1, Konstantinos Sebekos, ksebe001@fiu.edu2, and Mayra Exposito, exposito@fiu.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, Science Club, AC II Room 340, North Miami, FL 33181, (2) Department of Chemistry, Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Ave, AC II Room 340, North Miami, FL 33181
This project determined levels of sulfate in a pond at Florida International University, and tested the significance of time and location. Standards of Sulfate at different concentrations (0 to 70 mg/L) were prepared to construct a calibration curve using a Turbidimetric Experiment (LED 470 nm) with MicroLab Interface. Samples were collected at morning and afternoon from four different locations in the pond. Collected samples were analyzed using the Turbidimetric method. The matrix obtained was analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Regression analysis showed that only time was a significant variable (probability of F <<0.05). The average morning level was 41 ppt and in the afternoon 51.3 ppt. The experimental results were contradictory to the research prediction of sulfate levels. The presentation demonstrates the use of computer software and interfaces in constituting an innovative way to construct knowledge in Chemistry and develop thinking skills in context with other natural sciences.