E2 - Environmental Forensics - Letter to the EPA PDF

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Lab/prac work - letter to council reporting on the identification of harmful waste salts found in the environment....

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Daisy Zheng · 8 XXX Avenue · XXXX-XXX-XXX · [email protected] May 8th 2021 NSW Environmental Protection Authority 4 Parramatta Square, 12 Darcy Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to report on the identification of the two waste salts that were found to have been dumped near the chemical production facility. A series of tests were performed to identify the cation and anion in each of the two samples, 18A and 18B. To test sample 18A for the Fe3+ and Fe2+ cation, 0.5 mL of 4 M HCl was added to minimal mass of the sample salt. Upon the addition of 2-2’-bipyridine, the solution yielded a bright pink colour, identifying the presence of the Fe2+ cation. To test for the SO42- anion in sample 18A, 0.5 mL of 1 M HCl was added to a small mass of the sample salt, followed by a few drops of 0.1 M BaCl2 solution. A white precipitate was formed, yielding a positive test result for the SO42- anion. Accordingly, sample 18A was identified as the salt FeSO4. To identify the cation in sample 18B, a minimal mass of the sample salt was dissolved in 0.5 mL of deionised water after which a small volume of 1 M NaOH was added to the solution. The reaction produced a white precipitate which indicated the presence of the Ca2+, Mg2+ or Ba2+ cation. To differentiate between the three potential cations, a further flame test was performed where a solution of the sample was sprayed onto the luminous blue part of the Bunsen Burner flame. The flame displayed a brick red colour, identifying the presence of the Ca2+ cation. To test for the CO32- anion, 0.5 mL of 4 M HNO3 was added to a small mass of the sample salt. A colourless, odourless gas was quickly produced, yielding a positive test result for the CO32- anion. Sample 18B was hence identified as the salt CaCO3. With reference to Section 2.2 and 6.2 of the Safety Data Sheets, the associated physical hazards and environmental impacts of the two salts are expounded as follows. The FeSO4 hydrate is harmful if swallowed, can cause skin irritation and serious eye irritation to humans. Its environmental precautions lists that the product is not to enter drains as the FeSO4 hydrate is toxic to aquatic life. On the other hand, the CaCO3 salt identifies as a non-hazardous substance or mixture. No precautionary measures are necessary as it is non-hazardous to the environment. In consideration of associated environmental impacts of the FeSO4 salt, it is recommended that the clean-up of the spill be prioritised to avoid contamination of nearby drainage systems and prevent potential detriments to the aquatic life. The waste salts may be carried to drainage systems by means of wind and rain, hence it would be most advisable that the removal of the spillage be prompt. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Daisy Zheng...