Detection of lead in environmental water samples using an organoclay attenuated total reflectance sensor

CHED 282

Amanda L Drake, ad6967@ship.edu1, Isabelle Lagadic, lagadici1@nku.edu2, and John N. Richardson, jnrich@ship.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257, (2) Department of Chemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Natural Science Center, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099-1905
An attenuated total reflectance sensor utilizing an organoclay film sensing surface is demonstrated for detection of Pb in natural spring water. Here, the Pb-free sample was spiked with sufficient Pb to result in a 1.00 ppm Pb concentration. This solution was subsequently analyzed using the method of standard additions; an experimental value of 1.05 ppm Pb was obtained using the sensor. This study resulted in an evaluation of possible interferences found in natural water, as well as optimization of variables such as pH which also greatly affect the sensor response.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008