Acquisition of ICP for Metal Analysis on Environmental Samples

West Virginia State University, Institute WV

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, Harold W. Pinnick and colleagues at West Virginia State College will acquire an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometer for metal analysis on environmental samples. They plan to investigate naturally-occurring metal ions, their concentrations and anthropogenic metal contamination in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The overall goal is to understand the chemistry that occurs at abandoned coal mine sites in West Virginia, as a first step to designing and implementing remediation. Inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy is an effective technique for determining the presence of trace elements and their concentrations. It provides a rapid and quantitative determination of a large number of heavy metals in a variety of sample types. It can ascertain metal concentrations in the parts per billion range, and it can determine at least 35 elements simultaneously within minutes. The availability of an ICP will enhance the educational experience of the undergraduate students attending West Virginia State College