PRELIMINARY REPORT: ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF FILTERABLE CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER, PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SOUTH DAKOTA

Based on a study by the USGS and unpublished data, toxic heavy metals, principally arsenic and uranium, are known to contaminate ground water on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Based on untested, anecdotal evidence, these contaminants are linked to increased prevalence of diabetes-like symptoms, skin damage, problems with circulatory problems, and various kinds of cancer near Wanblee, South Dakota and along American Horse Creek. Arsenic levels in excess of the MCL were documented in the USGS study. In order to better understand the levels and distributions of toxic heavy metal contaminants, we sampled water from: 1) private wells in Wounded Knee, Kyle, Porcupine, Red Water, American Horse, Pine Ridge, and Oglala, 2) a community spring in Potato Creek, 3) rural (piped-in) water in Rockyford, and 4) faucet water in Red Water. In all cases, water was sampled directly from its point of access. A total of 13 water samples were tested for arsenic and analyzed on the atomic absorption mass spectrometer at the Oglala Lakota College Center for Science and Technology using EPA Method 3051a. Method 3051a consists of microwave extraction designed to mimic conventional extraction methods using heated nitric or nitric and hydrochloric acids. Our analysis revealed arsenic levels ranging from 4.3 ppb (Porcupine well) to 19.95 ppb (Potato Creek spring). In addition to Potato Creek, highest concentrations of arsenic were recorded at Kyle (10.44 & 10.92 ppb), American Horse (11.78 ppb), Wounded Knee (11.78 ppb), and Red Water (15.95 & 17.95 ppb). Based on these data, Oglala Lakota College and the University of Illinois CAMPWS are seeking funding to experiment with low-cost devices that filter arsenic from drinking water. At Oglala Lakota College we have ongoing research that aims to identify all potential contaminants in surface water and groundwatert water supplies, their sources, and their distributions across the Pine Ridge Reservation. This research was funded by NSF Model Institutes for Excellence Phases I &II, NSF Tribal Colleges and Universities Program Phases I & II, and the NASA-SEMAA program at Oglala Lakota College, and the University of Illinois CAMPWS.