Analysis of Primary Influent and Secondary Effluent from Corvallis Waste Water Treatment Facility for Several Metals by ICP-AES. Group 4:  Doug Malcolm; George Ganio.  2007.

The objective for this experiment is to test the primary influent and secondary effluent to see if there is sufficient removal of toxic metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd), after the filtration process. The concentrations of various hazardous metals in the primary influent and secondary effluent will be measured using ICP-AES based upon standard solutions calculated from previous concentrations of metals found in the water. Furthermore, the concentrations observed will be compared to the Oregon’s state standards for river water to determine if the final product is deemed safe. We hypothesize that the final product concentrations are below the allowed legal limit for Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd in secondary effluent, thus safe for recirculation. The concentrations of toxic metals in these samples were examined using an ICP instrument. The values obtained were then compared to the Oregon’s state standars for water safety and those measured in the past by the Corvallis Waste Water Management (CWWM). The final concentrations of Cu and Cr were 0.885 ng/mL and 3.021 ng/mL, respectively, while Cd and Pb were not detected. These values are well below the state standards set forth by the EPA and Oregon’s environmental standards.