METAL ION CONCENTRATION IN LOCAL WATERSHEDS, BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS
Water resources in the Midwest, like all places, are vital to sustain a growing and thriving region. In a region where larger cities use surface water for drinking and industry, pollutants and particulates can have dramatic effects on a population and the ecology. While these pollutants may take many forms, the focus of this project was the metallic compounds and elements which enter water supplies. This study was aimed to research the concentration of metal ions in major tributaries supplying local drinking water to Bloomington, namely Money Creek to the Northeast (supplying Lake Bloomington) and Six Mile Creek to the North (supplying Lake Evergreen). Discharge from the streams was measured on a biweekly basis as well as during storm events by automated equipment; during this time samples were also taken. These samples were then acidified to prevent coagulation and bonding, and run through an atomic absorption spectrometer to determine the types and concentrations of specific metals which are present. Lead, copper, zinc, and iron were all tested. Samples have been taken during a variety of times, day and night, and various weather events, to obtain a more broad understanding of the stream dynamics. Results showed lead concentrations up to 0.6 mg/L and zinc up to 0.016 mg/L. Iron was limited in results due to equipment issues and copper was too low in concentration to be detected. These were compared to discharge measurements to plot the fluctuations in total metals passing through the stream. Results showed heightened concentrations of lead during high flow and lowered concentrations of zinc during these events.