Publication Date

11-1990

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

R.W. Holmon, Lowell Shank, David WIlson

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Oxidation of heavy metal sulfides is a thermodynamically spontaneous process. Because of this, metal sulfides in the presence of oxygen are not stable. Currently there are over 100 streams and rivers, within the U.S., contaminated with heavy metal mine drainage; therefore an approved method of restoration is necessary. Precipitation of heavy metals as sulfides using H2S as a reductant has been favorably reviewed as a restorative technique to clean up mining areas. However, using this technique on the laboratory scale does not prove to be a viable answer and shows strong pH dependence.

In the past three years the ILI (Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement) has awarded funding to over 50 institutions, in the U.S., for the purchase of GC/MS. Therefore, there is a great need for laboratory experiments to properly train students in this field in American universities. A strong theoretical treatment for sophomore-level students is presented within this thesis and from this, three experiments have been developed in order to educate young professionals seeking a career in the field of chemistry.

Disciplines

Chemistry | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

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