Student Research Reports
Determining the presence of heavy metals in the air by using GLOBE protocols for aerosols, conductivity and pH
Organization(s):Prirodoslovna i graficka skola, Prirodoslovna i graficka skola
Student(s):Dino Bešić
Sarah Butigan
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Marina Pavlić, Irena Sabo
Contributors:
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:
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Date Submitted:03/11/2016
Aerosols are solid or liquid particles or both, suspended in air with diameters between about 0.002 µm to about 100 µm. Aerosol particles vary greatly in size, source and chemical composition. Some of the components are heavy metals, wich can be measured by GLOBE protocols. We used the method of moist sedimentation to aquire a sample of air in Bakar, and then analysed it with GLOBE protocols. We were inspired to use this methods when the citizens of Bakar invited us to see the big black blot in the middle of The Bakar Bay and the black particles in their homes. As we collaborated with them investigating the sea,soil and the bottom of the sea in our previous projects,we determined that the pollution was comming from the air. We decided to investigate the quantity of suspended particles(aerosols) in the air and determine their chemical composition. Analysing the sample's we concluded that the sample with heavy metal's had higher pH and conductivity levels than normal. By tracking the: aerosols, air temperature and rainfall our data showed that the aerosols are highest when temperature and rainfall levels were low. This method's could help more GLOBE reaserchers to study heavy metals in air.