Samantha, CUR Be precise in the lab !

News: I found out some significant information this week Thursday, March 3 within my data I have been representing over the past several months.  I spoke in past blogs about a source of Copper that we were finding in our samples within the canal street canal.  Well Monday, February 29 during high tide (~12:30) Dr. Woodall gathered water samples within the canal, then analyzed them in the lab.  In doing so, Dr. Woodall was extra careful with her sampling and precise on the cleanliness of her sample bottles as well as contributing instruments when analyzing the data, surprised when each time she measured for copper a reading of 0 mg/L was continuously showing up.  That did not work for Dr. Woodall, thus she went further to determine why this could be happening.  Over the past months of myself conducting this data I have been finding copper almost every time with measurements up to 4 mg/L. 

Victoria and I measuring
Phosphate in the lab
using the same instrument
(HACH DR/890)
used to measure Copper

 Dr. Woodall came to the conclusion that our lab (being older) could possibly have Copper within our tap water system. Due to cleansing of sample bottles, instruments etc, this could in fact be the reason as to why I was receiving Copper measurements within my canal.  In conclusion this information needs to be analyzed further when doing my research several times.

 I have learned from this that when working in the lab you need to be extra careful when taking samples as well as analyzing them and this is a perfect example as to myself representing invalid data.  Thank you again Dr. Woodall and ca not wait to get back in the field and discover more !