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Determining the presence of heavy metals in the air by using GLOBE protocols for aerosols, conductivity and pH

Country:Croatia, Croatia
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:
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):
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.



Comments

1. I really enjoyed reading your abstract, sounds interesting and educative. Your Abstract does not exceed 200 words. And contains The problems, Questions, Objectives, conclusion and recommendation.
2. Your explanation under reseach question does not identified your Research question categorically . The scientific interest of these questions was not indicated rather you gave a sound and educative introduction under this section but the research questions were not properly started.
3. Your report indicated that truly you collected data using GLOBE protocols and I was exteremely glad to see that you entered your data into the GLOBE database. Sources and equipments used were properly illustrated with clear pictures. That makes your report an outstanding one.
4. I enjoyed reading all the collaborations you have made in your research. I can perceived the contributions of the scientists in your report and that added a lot of beauty your research work. Please keep it up.