Analysis of mineral ion content of potable water from the natural springs of maniton springs, colorado using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Biomedical; Cell & Molecular Biology; Chemistry & Biochemistry; Marine Science; Systematics & Evolutionary Biology.
  In Poster Session: Chemistry & Biochemistry Poster Session

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the mineral ion content of potable drinking water obtained from the natural springs of Manitou Springs, Colorado. The EPA has set federal standards of the amount of pollutants and metal ions allowed for safety in surface, potable and recreational waters. Water samples were collected in 500 mL polystyrene bottles from four of the eight natural springs that are located in the downtown area of the town and within walking distance of each other. The Mineral Springs Foundation of Manitou Springs has given names to all of the natural spring locations for reference. The four sites of natural springs selected for study were: (1) Cheyenne Spring, (2) Shoshone Spring, (3) Stratton Spring, and (4) Navajo Spring. The water samples were preserved with (1 + 1) nitric acid, and filtered in the lab through a 0.45 µm filter. Three of the samples were very clear of turbidity and did not require digestion with the exception of one. That particular water sample (100 mL) was digested with concentrated nitric acid by gentle refluxing in a hot water bath following EPA method 200.8. The spring water samples were analyzed for twenty-seven metals by ICP-MS using a Varian 820-MS model and the outcomes compared both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our study showed that all of the mineral ion concentration levels of the four samples fell within the regulated limits of safety for human consumption by the EPA and the State of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Authors

• Gilberto Gonzalez, University of The Incarnate Word

• Abraham A. Williams, University of The Incarnate Word

• Jason Gerding, University of The Incarnate Word

• Alakananda R. Chaudhuri, University of The Incarnate Word

• Edward E. Gonzalez, University of The Incarnate Word