Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Surface water bodies, including lakes and rivers, can contain naturally occurring and pollution-derived chemicals and metals that may pose risks to public health. This study aimed to identify and quantify metal concentrations in water samples from the Cumberland River in Nashville and Clarksville, as well as Radnor Lake, to assess potential health risks for water sports participants and those using the water for drinking or agricultural purposes.
Seven water samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace elements. The samples were prepared by adding nitric acid and analyzed using a calibration curve with known metal standards. ICP-OES was chosen due to its ability to detect multiple metals with precision and sensitivity, making it ideal for complex water matrices.
The metals analyzed included Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn). The EPA sets water quality criteria to protect aquatic life and human health, and although limits for Co, K, and Mn are not established, limits for other metals were exceeded in several samples. In Clarksville, Al and Zn exceeded safe limits for both chronic and acute exposure, while Cu exceeded the chronic limit. In Radnor Lake, Cu exceeded both limits, and similar results were found in the Cumberland River and McFarland Tap water for Cu, Pb, and Zn. These findings indicate potential contamination risks and highlight the need for ongoing water quality monitoring.
Faculty Mentor
Matthew J. Vergne
Recommended Citation
Young, Deron; Ais, Leila; Jacob, Leah; and Vergne, Matthew J., "Heavy Metal Thunder: Nashville's Lakes and Streams Bring the Noise" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 81.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/81
Heavy Metal Thunder: Nashville's Lakes and Streams Bring the Noise
Surface water bodies, including lakes and rivers, can contain naturally occurring and pollution-derived chemicals and metals that may pose risks to public health. This study aimed to identify and quantify metal concentrations in water samples from the Cumberland River in Nashville and Clarksville, as well as Radnor Lake, to assess potential health risks for water sports participants and those using the water for drinking or agricultural purposes.
Seven water samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace elements. The samples were prepared by adding nitric acid and analyzed using a calibration curve with known metal standards. ICP-OES was chosen due to its ability to detect multiple metals with precision and sensitivity, making it ideal for complex water matrices.
The metals analyzed included Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn). The EPA sets water quality criteria to protect aquatic life and human health, and although limits for Co, K, and Mn are not established, limits for other metals were exceeded in several samples. In Clarksville, Al and Zn exceeded safe limits for both chronic and acute exposure, while Cu exceeded the chronic limit. In Radnor Lake, Cu exceeded both limits, and similar results were found in the Cumberland River and McFarland Tap water for Cu, Pb, and Zn. These findings indicate potential contamination risks and highlight the need for ongoing water quality monitoring.