| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Although you can get procedures and chemicals to do these tests and others, I would suggest using kits because they would probably be easier for students to use. Also, kits are generally better for safety reasons. The reagents are often pre-packaged for use in individual tests, so lillte or no measuring is necessary. Since you often have to buy reagents in quantity, you may end up spending as much to get the reagents as you would to get kits. There are some simple, portable kits available for under $50, and some for under $20. I would estimate that you could get a set of kits that would do the analyses you mentioned for about $250. Each kit contains enough reagents to perform about 50 to 100 tests, and you can order reagent refills when those run out. In addition to test kits for the things you mentioned, you can test for pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity with hand-held meters, some of which are not terribly expensive.
Your best bet for information on these products is probably the HACH Company. Their phone number is (800) 227-4224. Ask for the "Products for Analysis" catalog. They sell both commercial and educational test kits, and teaching packages also. They have a package called "Water Water Everywhere". The teaching materials are $25, and the test kits range from about $100 to $200.
If you want to look into getting your own chemicals to perform these tests, HACH also sells the reagents. They are listed in the same catalog. However, you also need to know what methods to use and purchase the necessary equipment. HACH has a "Water Analysis Handbook" (which is free) that contains many of the procedures you would need.
HACH is not the only company that makes these products. Among others you could also contact Fisher Scientific at (800) 926-6060, and Cole-Parmer Instrument Company at (800) 323-4340.
If the cost of buying either kits or chemicals is prohibitive, I would suggest contacting some government agencies to see if they could give your class a demonstration or allow you to use their equipment. Some will do this if they have a local office near you. Among federal agencies that you could check with are the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service. You should also ask your state Department of Natural Resources (or the equivalent agency in your state), either the Environmental Protection branch, or Fish and Game. Another source may be your state Geologic Survey. You also may want to look into taking a field trip to tour a commercial water testing laboratory if there is one near you. The procedures used by most commercial labs are different from the ones you would use with the kits. The large quantity of testing that they do justifies the use of large expensive equipment that can give more accurate results and perform a large number of tests in a short time.
You should also check out this site:
GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network)
Another site you may find useful is:
Grants for Environmental Education
This site has links to sources of money for environmental education. These would involve writing grant proposals. Also, many of these sources may be more inclined to fund equipment to be used by an entire school district, rather than a single class or school.
I hope you find this information useful.
---- Sean Sherlock (Grad Student, Geology, West Virginia University)