A Survey of Precipitation in Frederick County, Maryland for Heavy Metal Pollution and Acid pH
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Hood College Biology
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Human Sciences
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Abstract
Samples of rainwater were collected and analyzed for certain heavy metals over a period of 15 months from October 1977 thru January 1979. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used in analyzing the samples for heavy metals. Acid precipitation was investigated by monitoring of pH and analyses for sulfate and nitrate. The influence of wind direction during storms was also considered. Results indicate that heavy metals were present only in very low concentrations. Precipitation pH's were found to be consistently in the acid range and may present a potential, if not present, problem.