Out of the Lab and Into the Field: Using a Real-World Site for Instrumental Analysis

Melissa M. Strait Alma College Alma, Michigan 48801

Alma College

 Private, Liberal Arts Institution  1300 students  Middle of Michigan  Historic strength in science  May Term Opportunities (Overseas travel)  Strong program in Service Learning

Chemistry at Alma College

 Core Program in Chemistry:  General  Organic II  PChem I Biochemistry  Upper Level Research Organic I Inorganic PChem II Instrumental Upper Level Research

Alma College

 College Competencies:    English • • Basic Writing = Quill   Quill I - > 25% of grade based on writing Quill II - In the major > 25% of grade based on writing Opportunity for revision and resubmission Mathematics Foreign Language  General Education  Humanities (4 courses)   Social Sciences (4 courses) Natural Sciences (4 courses)

Chemistry at Alma College

 Core Program in Chemistry:  General  Organic II  PChem I Biochemistry  Upper Level Research Organic I Inorganic PChem II Instrumental Upper Level Research

CHM 320 Instrumental Analysis

 Objectives       Theory behind chemical instrumentation Operation of chemical instrumentation available Use the literature Work in a group and individually Quill II - Write in the style of a chemist Service Learning - Impact of the work of the chemist on society

Instrumental Analysis Lab

 Original (and Usual)       AAS - Fe in Whiskey IR - Plastics in Crime LC - Caffeine in Sodas ISE - F in Toothpaste MS - Scents in Cereal UV - Phenylephrine in Nasal Spray  Self-Determined Project

Quill II Writing

 Writing      Weekly Lab Reports Proposal Technical Paper Abstract Presentation  Project   Involve writing Involve the local community

 Self-Selected            Al in tea Metals in coins Fe in plastics Trace elements in clay Fake antiquities Water in oils Mo in steel Cu in crab blood PCB’s n penguin eggs Vitamin E in formula Etc., etc. etc.

Projects

 Service Project  Community - Service      Content - Learning Self-Directed Use Knowledge Positive Outcome Reflect on Outcome

Project?

 Velsicol Chemical   Company Pine River Superfund Site • DDT, PBB

 Total Petroleum   Horse Creek Pine River • Petroleum

Project?

Project?

 Ultramar-Diamond Shamrock Petroleum  Horse Creek  Pine River • Petroleum

 Valero Petroleum  Horse Creek  Pine River • Petroleum

Project?

Project?

 Oxford Automotive  Pine River • • Chromium Heavy Metals

Project?

 Vestaburg Community   Bass Lake Rock Lake • • 2,4-D CuSO 4  Problem Solved  Weevils to eat the watermilfoil

Project?

 Alma Iron and Metal  Pine River • Heavy Metals

Project?

 Lead in the Home  Lead  After School Program

Project?

 Saginaw Valley Field  and Stream Club Shooting Club • Lead

Projects

 Service Project  Community - Service     Content - Learning Self-Directed Use Knowledge Positive Outcome  Lead at the Gun Club  Surface     Depth Vegetation Fish Lake Water

Instrumental Analysis Lab

 Original (and Usual)     AAS - Fe in Whiskey IR - Plastics in Crime LC - Caffeine in Sodas ISE - F in Toothpaste   MS - Scents in Cereal UV - Phenylephrine in Nasal Spray  Self-Determined Project   Current   Lead on the Border • • • • AAS HPLC UV/Visible ISE Scent Components • • • • GC NMR MS IR Service Project  Aspects of the Gun Club

The Writing

 Proposal  Multiple drafts  1 proposal “funded”  Sample  Analyze Samples  Write “paper”  Write Abstract  “Conference”

Proposals

 Survey of Surface  Grab samples in Lake  1 foot cores  Fish  Vegetation  Resurvey of Surface  Acid Digestion - Total  TCLP - Soluble

Trap and Skeet Range Results

Practice Station #2 Distance (ft.)

1 150 300 450 590 594 596

Lead (mg/kg) 108 127 >700 >12000 141 135 0 Field Station #3 Distance (ft.)

1 150 300 450 563 564 566

Lead (mg/kg) 28 >500 38 70 3 13 0.002

Skeet Station #4 Distance (ft.)

1 150 300 450 522 523 525

Lead (mg/kg) 37 44 14 >4000 38 133 0

Quality Control

Relative Error Relative Standard Deviation Detection Limit Sensitivity Linear Range True Values Blank 10.0 mg/kg +0.23 mg/kg +0.046 mg/kg 0.040 mg/kg 0.058

0.11 - 20 mg/kg 0.0 mg/kg 9.9 mg/kg

Outcomes

       Real World Problem Real World Audience Application of Classroom Skills Learned Thoughtful Recommendations Jobs for Students Grant Scholarships

Acknowledgements

 CHM 320-Instrumental    2004 • Karen Ault, Theresa Guinther, Brandon McNally, Ben Murray, Dan Rito, Paul Sibbald, Jim Wegener 2005 • Kevin Beggs, Andy Brzezinski, Josh Rosenthal, Ashley Widrig 2006 • Kyle Gilde, Kelly Marks, Tom Montgomery, Jon Naile, Erica Sandel, Melissa Sjostrom, Matt Stempki, Tim Swanson, Caleb Woods, Tessia Zawilinski  CHM 499 - Research    Jonathon Naile Jeremy Hix Erik Larsen

Acknowledgements

 Alma College Chemistry Department  Alma College Geology and Environmental Studies Department  Saginaw Valley Field and Stream Club  Jerry Faubel  Murray Borrello  Alanah Fitch