Zinc Research Paper

Copper is another pollutant that at very high levels is toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of strength or, for serious exposure, cirrhosis of the liver (Pure Water Services). In order for copper to metabolized the heavy metal zinc is needed. Zinc helps with copper breakdown but too much zinc can cause a copper deficiency which can also cause problems such as anemia. While copper has some severe side effects there have not been any cases that are related to cancer. In most cases throughout the Silver Bow Creek copper is not thought to be a severe threat to the community.

Zinc Chloride is chemically represented as ZnCl2. It can easily attract and hold water from the surrounding environment and hence needs to be stored

The contaminated water has protozoan-a microscopic organism, oocyst-is a parasite protozoan like malaria, viruses, and bacteria. Illnesses such as West Nile and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever have also been reported from poor run off conditions. (Gaffield & Jackson, 2003) As stated in the American Journal of Public Health, "Approximately 99 million people in the United States have acute gastrointestinal illnesses each year, at a cost of billions of dollars, and 6% to 40% of these illnesses may be caused by contaminated drinking water.". Another problem found in contaminated drinking water is Nitrogen. High amounts of nitrogen can bring the risk of Methemoglobinemia-is an oxidized hemoglobin that can not send oxygen to the tissues of the body, the symptoms include shortness of breathe and blueness of skin. It has also been linked to and increase in miscarriages. Copper, Zinc, and Lead, which also have ill effects on humans, can be found in mostly urban areas with so exceptions. These are just a few of the contaminates that are caused by uncontrolled storm water run off. (Gaffield & Jackson,

Zinc, number 30 on the periodic table and a bluish-white metallic element, exists naturally in air, water and soil. It is present everywhere in the environment. All life on earth has evolved in the presence of zinc. Natural processes such as erosion, forest fires, aerosol formation above the seas and volcanic eruptions continuously transport Zinc. Zinc melts at about 420° C and boils at about 907° C. Zinc is efficient for plants. Zinc-deficient soils present in many parts of the world are a cause of low crop yields. Not only does it help plants but also the human body. It is responsible for the proper functioning of more than 300 enzymes in the human body, and is vital for the immune system. It will also fight against cold

Over a course of years, the Spokane River has been polluted by heavy metals such as zinc, arsenic, lead, and cadmium which affect the fish in the river which may lead to health complications in humans. Although the river has had many plans of management, such as beach clean ups, toxic cleanups and PCBs projects, a management recommendation would be aeration.

The health hazards for humans who come in contact with contaminants from exposure to polluted water can have long term effects on the body causing possible organ failure and death. Contaminants and chemicals such lead and mercury can bring about many minor illnesses ranging from nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, and dizziness, to the major diseases that include cancer, liver and kidney damage, disorders of the nervous system, damage to the immune system, birth defects and even death.

Metal mining is the process of extracting ore or minerals underneath of the earth. Mining produces economic gains for countries that have plenty of metallic ore deposits, however the mining industry has a record of causing environmental disasters by releasing heavy metals such as (lead, lithium, cadmium) and other chemicals. Also mining has increased air pollution, loss of habitat for many species and the impact on the human health can be devastating.

The most common compound of zinc found in nature is zinc sulfide. In Zinc sulfide the elements are Boron, Oxygen and Zinc.

Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses.

Arsenic has an atomic number of 33 and a relative atomic mass of 74.922amu. Arsenic is an odd element, as it acts like metal even though it is a natural element. Arsenic is found in natural environments, and in limited quantities found in rocks, soil, water and more. Arsenic was very known to the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese, they used Arsenic as a way of gilding metals. The orpiment(As2S3) and the realgar (As4S4) : are the two Arsenic sulphide minerals that Greek Philosopher, Theophrastus. As2O3 is the trioxide, is one of the end products of copper refining. This is a form of arsenic that has also been known for awhile now, and it is called white arsenic. The official discovery of arsenic is to Alberts Magnus in around the 1200s. As to the physical property, it is radiant, has a silver colour and fragile, as it is a semi-metal. When in exposed to air, it is rapidly damaged, because of the usual elements in air, such as nitrogen and more. Arsenic is not particularly used in any technology, but recently we use Arsenic in semiconductor gallium arsenide, it can convert electric currents to laser lights. Usually it is not used

After scrutinizing the available information one is led to think otherwise.  No amount of Spokane River fish can be ‘safely’ eaten.  The fish themselves are not safe.  Toxic and poisonous chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, lead and PCB’s (polychlorinated-biphenyl) have been found in the tissues and bones of all fish studied in the Spokane River.  The fish’s food sources and even the beach sand along the riverbank have been found to contain harmful levels of these chemicals.  Studies on the effects of PCB’s on human memory loss and learning disabilities have been conducted by four universities around Lake Michigan over a 9 year period showing a direct link between PCB levels in adults and their lower scores on learning tests.  People who eat a certain amount of either commercially available fish or sports fish have sometimes as high as four times in parts per million the amounts of mercury and lead that the FDA would approve. The sources of these pollutants are industrial waste and some naturally occurring elements. Mining in Idaho has historically been the prime factor in the declining water quality of the Spokane River in Washington State and has been the focus of our national Superfund clean-up

Copper: Electroplating and metalworking industries discharge large amounts of heavy metals, including copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) ions, in their effluents [Ting-Chu et al. 2009]. Environmental contamination due to copper is caused by mining, printed circuits, metallurgical, fiber production, pipe corrosion and metal plating industries. The other major industries discharging copper in their effluents are paper and pulp, petroleum refining and wood preserving. Agricultural sources such as fertilizers, fungicidal sprays and animal wastes also lead to water pollution due to copper. Copper may be found as a contaminant in food, especially shell fish, liver, mushrooms, nuts and chocolates. Any packaging container using copper material may contaminate

Zinc, in commerce also spelter, is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table. In some respects zinc is chemically similar to magnesium: its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2. Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in Earth's crust and has five stable isotopes. The most common zinc ore is sphalerite (zinc blende), a zinc sulfide mineral. The largest mineable amounts are found in Australia, Asia, and the United States. Zinc production includes froth flotation of the ore, roasting, and final extraction using electricity (electrowinning).

It shouldn't come as a surprise that zinc plays an essential role in our bodies.

Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It is needed for the body's immune system to properly work and help fight off the things that do not need to be in the body. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste. Without zinc your appetite might start to decrease.