By Ned Gable, Clara LaMoy, Sophia Redmond, Franco Trujillo

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Smith

Abstract

Transition metals like iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are detrimental to the functionality of pool equipment such as pumps, filters, and pipelines by clogging and corroding the equipment,leading to costly repairs. The concentrations of Fe and Cu in local indoor pool samples(University of Mary Washington’s Goolrick, Massad, and King George) will be determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). A standard calibration curve will be made using Fe standards ranging from 0.04-0.20 ppm and Cu standards ranging from 0.05-0.50 ppm. This curve will be used to quantify the concentrations of Fe and Cu in each pool. The pool samples were acidified and spiked with 0.04 ppm Fe and 0.05 ppm Cu in
order to bring the concentrations into the calibration range. Statistical analysis will be used to determine if the concentrations of Fe and Cu in the pools are above the recommended maximum levels for Fe (0.2 ppm) and Cu (0.5 ppm). It is expected that all calculated concentrations will be
below these maximums.