Westminster College Chemistry Majors Present Research

Nine Westminster College chemistry and biochemistry majors presented the results of a service-learning project during a meeting of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition (SRWC) on Oct. 13, at the Jennings Environmental Education Center.

The students worked with SRWC at the McIntire site in Butler County to test the passive water treatment system for treating abandoned mine drainage.

The students collected water samples from the site to be tested in the laboratory. After analysis, the students determined that the treatment system is effectively improving the water quality.

"This collaboration is in its tenth year," said Helen Boylan, professor of chemistry and faculty mentor on the project. "We were able to test for more metals this year because of the new instrumentation Westminster College obtained through a National Science Foundation grant."

Boylan, a Westminster graduate, earned her Ph.D. from Duquesne University and has been a member of the teaching staff at Westminster since 2001.

Contact Boylan at 724-946-6293 or email boylanhm@westminster.edu for additional information.

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