Abstract

MORENO-BONETT, Consuelo et al. Determination of heavy metals in a Xochimilco water canal (Mexico City) as a a Social Service projec. Educ. quím [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.3, pp.375-382. ISSN 0187-893X.

The work herein presented describes the outlines of a Social Service project that encourages undergraduate students to become interested in environmental pollution problems, especially those concerning water. In particular, the project deals with atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of some heavy metals (Mn, Cd, Cu, and Pb) in a Xochimilco water canal, in Mexico City. While carrying out such task, the students were not only able to become aware of the environmental challenges that societies face today, but they also got the opportunity to use analysis techniques learned while majoring, which significantly strengthen their scientific knowledge. The impact of this Social Service project relays mainly in two key points, being the first one to awaken students to the importance of water pollution problems, and the second being the fact that this study can be carried out by future generations with the scope to compare data over time.

Keywords : atomic absorption; pollution; Social Service; heavy metals; water.