Concentration of Heavy Metals in Lake Murray, SC

Alexander Caughman and Ralph C. Layland

Human impacts on Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina are substantial, and as a result there is a need for continued monitoring of the water and sediment. Higher concentrations of heavy metals in water can be toxic, and therefore it is essential to ensure that the heavy metal concentration is within the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An analysis of the water and sediment in the Lake, and the streams and creeks that flow into the lake, was completed using graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) spectroscopy. 15 samples of both water and sediment samples were gathered from various locations around the lake. Water samples were preserved in the refrigerator with some nitric acid. Sediment samples were acid digested using the EPA Method 3050B to extract the heavy metals before being analyzed by GFAA spectroscopy. In this study, we report on the concentration of heavy metals (such as: cadmium, chromium, manganese, copper, iron, and lead) in the water and sediment of Lake Murray and the streams and creeks that flow into the lake. For all metals at all sites, the measured concentration was compared to the safety guidelines established by EPA.

• Alexander Caughman graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School in South Carolina. He is currently a senior in chemistry. His achievements include an internship with Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Cayce, SC.