By Tyler Marr

Carlton students present findings from test for heavy metals in North Sask. River

Jun 16, 2018 | 10:08 AM

Five students from Carlton Comprehensive Public High School presented their findings from a recent study of heavy metals in the North Saskatchewan River and the impact to water quality after the 2016 Husky oil spill.

The students conducted research that involved utilizing the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron in Saskatoon to test for any residual metals from the crude oil in the river. They were primarily looking for any traces of chromium or vanadium, which can be unsafe for humans, among other more natural elements like nickel and zinc.

They began their testing by collecting water samples from the North Saskatchewan River in a handful of locations. They first pulled a control sample from upstream of the original spill site near Paradise Hill, another from a few kilometres downstream from the spill near Maidstone, and others along the banks of the river in North Battleford and Prince Albert. The students used a handcrafted 10-foot pole made from PVC pipe with an Erlenmeyer flask on the end to collect two-litre water samples from each site over a 12-hour period.

The students then conducted localized tests at Carlton. They tested for total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, the turbidity, pH levels and flow rates. But in order to test for the trace amounts of metals, the students needed to use the Synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan. The device circulates electrons at just under the speed of light to create a beam to test for x-ray fluorescence. The beam does this by hitting an electron, forcing it from the atom and replacing it. The wavelengths emitted from this process are measured to determine elements.

The students measured for chromium in 10, 100 and 1000 parts per million (PPM) on their calibration curve but the tests did not return any positive results at these levels. When they attempted to test at smaller PPMs, the beamline broke, ending their endeavour.

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“We didn’t see the chromium or any other harmful thing that would affect anyone negatively, but we do know we have a direction we want to take it now,” Aliah Carpenter said. The 17-year-old Grade 11 student was one of five on the research team, that included Trystan Dupre, Shanelle Sewap-Custer, Jarica Gooding and Duncan Macintosh.

“It is not that we found a direct conclusion, more so that we know where we need to go next in order to see if there is an effect.”

This was Carpenter’s second year participating in such a research project and working alongside scientists at the university on the synchrotron. She said having the opportunity to engage in practical science helped spread the notion and importance of a need to learn about and understand the world.

“When you bring back this information and how it links to us and affects us personally, that is what gets people into the sciences,” she said. “We hope, thanks to this group, we can bring in people interested, or who could be interested in the sciences.”

Besides engaging with fellow classmates, studying elements and having access to a piece of equipment many PhD level scientists work tirelessly to gain, Carpenter said she also learned plenty about herself, how to work in groups and better engage with researchers.

“[I learned] how to start conversations on where do we begin on something that could be crucial on learning for the sake of humanity,” she added.

Carpenter said she anticipates joining the research team again in her Grade 12 year, noting she already has a project in mind.

The Husky oil spill in July 2016 caused more than 200,000 litres of oil to spill into the river near Maidstone. Court proceedings in the case are still ongoing. Consultation is currently underway on a proposed new pipeline to replace the failed structure that caused the leak.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr