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New Mexico State University URCAS 2008

New Mexico State University URCAS 2008. Minority Access To Research Careers. “Water Purification by Modified Soil Sorbents”. By, Nicholas G. Beltran beltrann@nmsu.edu Mentor: Dr. Antonio S. Lara alara@nmsu.edu Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

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New Mexico State University URCAS 2008

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  1. New Mexico State UniversityURCAS 2008 Minority Access To Research Careers

  2. “Water Purification by Modified Soil Sorbents” By, Nicholas G. Beltran beltrann@nmsu.edu Mentor: Dr. Antonio S. Lara alara@nmsu.edu Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

  3. New Mexico solution to a New Mexico problem Appropriate solution to uranium contamination has a great impact on citizens worldwide, especially New Mexicans and people along the US-Mexico border.

  4. Overall Problem • Uranium is toxic • Radioactivity • Chemical toxicity • People are vulnerable to toxic uranium water – this is especially true in New Mexico • New Mexico is the uranium capital of the world (Grants, NM) • New surge in uranium mining expected

  5. Specific Problem Currently fast,inexpensive method to remove uranium from water DOES NOT EXIST

  6. Causes of the problem • Uranium is a naturally-occurring element • All are alpha emitters • If incorporated into the body may cause health effects

  7. Uranium is an alpha emitter

  8. Where can uranium be found? • Rocks / Soil • Air • Water • Food • EPA Setting Standards for Safe Drinking water (Uranium has a limit of 30 parts per billion)

  9. Effects of the problem • Radioactive (U-235) Natural abundance 0.72% • Chromosomal damage • Alpha particles get into the body and are destructive to tissue and cells • Chromosomal breakage may result in translocation • Genetic mutations • May cause birth defects in future generations

  10. Effects of the problem • Chemical toxicity (U-238) Natural abundance 99.3% • Heavy metal chemistry (Poisonous to humans) • Kidney damage • U deposits in the brain from the blood stream • Risk for developing nervous system toxicity as a result of uranium accumulation in the brain.

  11. Causes of the problem Re-opening of U mines • With the re-opening of U mines, there will be an increase of exposure

  12. Abandoned Uranium Mines ProjectNavajo Nation (MINES) EPA

  13. Abandoned Uranium Mines ProjectNavajo Nation (SPRINGS) EPA

  14. Grants Uranium Mining DistrictEPA Eastern AUM Region •

  15. Possible Solution SOILS WORK! • Readily Available • Manageable • Inexpensive • Large surface area • Cation Exchange Capacity 

  16. ICP/MS Results Berino Soil Gallup Soil •

  17. Four Corners / New Mexico Gallup Gallup Grants Grants

  18. Future Research • Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrograph Versus • LS 55 Luminescence Spectrometer • ICP/MS • Very sensitive down to 1 ppb • But, volume does not remain constant • LS 55 Luminescence Spectrometer • Volume of the sample remains constant • Volume and Soil Surface Area used as a control • But, limit of detection ~500 ppb

  19. Future Research • LS 55 Luminescence Spectrometer • Phosphorescencemeasurement Excitation 245 nm Emission 515 nm •

  20. Future ResearchLS 55 Luminescence SpectrometerAllows measurment of phosphorescence • Uranium Nitrate or Uranyl Nitrate UO2(NO3)2 • 6H2O • When exposed to ultraviolet light, U is visible as a faint green glow Uranyl Nitrate 100 ppm phosphorescing

  21. Future Research • LS 55 Luminescence Spectrometer • Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) • QUASI • Binding site distribution • Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrograph (ICP/MS)

  22. Future Research • For a complete solution to uranium contamination • Bacterial Field Assay • Provide reliable detection of toxicity in potential drinking water. • Is there something else?

  23. References&Acknowledgements • EPA. (2006) Uranium Location Database Compilation. EPA 402-R-05-009. Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Radiation Protection Division (6608J), Washington, DC. Available at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/tenorm/402-r-05-009.pdf • Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC). (2007) Uranium Impact Assessment Program. Available at http://www.sric.org/uranium/ • Environmental & Occupational Health. Available at http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/medsearch/EnviornmentalOccupationa/DepletedUranium_home.shtml • http://www.viaggimagazine.it/VM/guide/stati-uniti/cartina-new-mexico.jpg • National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant No. GMO 7667-30 • Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program • Special thanks to Dr. Lara, Dr. Parra, Dr. Ulery

  24. Thank You Any questions, comments, concerns?

  25. “Water Purification by Modified Soil Sorbents” By, Nicholas G. Beltran beltrann@nmsu.edu Mentor: Dr. Antonio S. Lara alara@nmsu.edu Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

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