Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Vadermort on 18/05/2006 01:25:59

Title: Elements found in dirt left over from quarries
Post by: Vadermort on 18/05/2006 01:25:59

Hey guys,
Im doing the IB Diploma Extended Essay on The Health Effects of Chalk Quarrying in China. Next week i will be going up to one of these chalk quarries to collect samples of the dirt left behind. Can you guys help suggest what i can do to these sand samples to determine whats in them?
Some kind of chemical test?
(i have thought about soaking the sediment in water and letting it settle...then what?)Maybe testing for some Ions or metals? Dont worry, I have a Chem lab at my disposal.
All ideas are welcome.

Three Cheers!

b.s

Title: Re: Elements found in dirt left over from quarries
Post by: another_someone on 18/05/2006 02:26:50

My first instinct, as someone who is not a chemist, and thus knows nothing about this, would be to think about mass spectrometry.

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George

Title: Re: Elements found in dirt left over from quarries
Post by: Vadermort on 18/05/2006 05:26:49

Problem is its a high school lab so it doesn't have a mass spectrometer. Would be usefull though. Could i somehow separate these things in water and test for individual metal ions or compounds by precipitation etc.?

b.s