Nineteen Westminster College chemistry and biochemistry majors presented their acid mine drainage research findings at a monthly meeting of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition (SRWC).

The students conducted a study of two different treatment sites, DeSale and Erico Bridge, for acid mine drainage as part of a service learning project.

"Students use their knowledge about the chemistry of acid mine drainage and chemical testing to study the water samples," said Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster College assistant professor of chemistry. "They provide a service to the community by partnering with SRWC, a non-profit organization, by providing them with the analytical test results of their sites. This is a win-win situation. The students get a hands-on experience with real world samples and observe chemistry in action, and SRWC avoids the very expensive cost to hire a commercial lab for routine monitoring of their systems."

Since 1995, the SRWC has installed 12 treatment sites, and more are being planned.

"This certainly could be an on-going project," Boylan said. "Passive treatment systems use natural processes to clean the water such as limestone rock beds. They are installed around areas that have acid mine drainage problems, and these sites need to be checked continuously to make sure they are doing their job."

Over the course of three weeks, the students tested the efficacy of the two passive treatment sites through both field and laboratory analysis.

"We were energized by the Westminster College student presentations," said Margaret H. Dunn, president of Stream Restoration Inc. "Their work encouraged participants in the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition to improve the function of the passive systems treating abandoned mine drainage."

This advanced laboratory chemistry class is one of several classes at Westminster College participating in "service learning" projects funded by the Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The mission of the Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is to enrich undergraduate education. Multiple and diverse means are employed to fulfill this mission. Current programs include undergraduate research and collaborative research with faculty, incorporation of academically meaningful community service into the curricula, and collaborations that address community and regional needs and strengthen K-12 education.

Contact Boylan at (724) 946-6293 or e-mail boylanhm@westminster.edu for more information.

Dave Davis, Mallory Strickland, and Kelly Conley at the Erico Bridge site

Joe Elliot, Jenny Steele, Andy Olphin, and Durann VanGorder Students testing water samples at the DeSale site.

Joe Elliot and Jenny Steele testing water at the DeSale site.