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2012 - 11th Annual NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
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Session Time :
8/1/12 1:30 PM - 8/1/12 2:45 PM
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Content Area : OIA-SRE, Office of International Affairs - Summer Research Experience
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Lead Student Presenters : Jonathan Michael Hodiak
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Abstract Title : IMAGINE Safe Drinking Water in South Africa: Student/Community Collaborations to Assess Nitrate Contamination in Ground Water.
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Abstract :
IMAGINE is an undergraduate/graduate research program funded by the University of Pretoria (PI, Liesel Ebersohn) and North Carolina State University (PI, Melissa McHale). Faculty and students from the United States and South Africa work together with rural communities to conduct research on resource use and health and well being. Nitrate/nitrite (NO3-N) is a widespread contaminant in groundwater in the USA and South Africa, and a public health concern when concentrations exceed 2 to 4 mg/L. In the USA, studies have shown that the incidence of specific cancers and lymphomas increased when nitrate exposure exceeded 2 to 4 mg/L. Infants are particularly susceptible to methemoglobinemia or “blue baby” syndrome if exposed to nitrates in drinking water. In South Africa, this particular health issue is a concern as mothers with AIDS are encouraged to use infant formula with water rather than breast-feed their babies. Both South Africa and the U.S. EPA have established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrate/nitrite at 10 mg/L. We collected samples and determined NO3-N concentrations and general water quality parameters at ground water wells used for drinking water sources in northern South Africa in June 2012. Results show some drinking water wells with NO3-N greater than USEPA and South Africa allowable maximum contaminant levels.
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Mentor and/or Co-Author : Elizabeth Guthrie Nichols
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