Metal Chemistry and the Environment

From the 63rd International Symposium and Exhibition of AVS

Metal Chemistry and the Environment

Researchers used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the roles that metals and their chemistries have played in three environmental problems.

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Newswise — Washington, D. C. November 09, 2016— Abandoned mine waste, wildfire ash and the Gold King mine spill all present unique challenges because if the metals involved in understanding their impact on the environment.

During the AVS 63rd International Symposium and Exhibition being held November 6-11, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee, Kateryna Artyushkova and her colleagues in the University of New Mexico (UNM) and the New Mexico Water Science Center, have used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine the roles that metals and their chemistries have played in these three environmental problems.

XPS is a spectroscopic technique that defines the chemical composition and electronic state of a material’s surface by irradiating it with X-rays and then, measuring the kinetic energy and electrons that escape from the top 10 nanometers.

“In one experiment, we used XPS to look at the interactions of uranium and co-occurring metals in abandoned mine wastes on a Native American reservation in Arizona,” Artyushkova said. These metals can contaminate the water in the area exposing humans and livestock to potentially high metal concentrations. The team found elevated concentrations of uranium, vanadium and arsenic and used XPS to identify the chemical states of these elements. “In a second study, XPS helped us investigate the effect on water chemistry of metals associated with wildfire ash," Artyushkova said. "And in the third, it helped us identify the metals found in Colorado waters and sediments contaminated by the Gold King Mine spill in August 2015.”

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Presentation AS+SS-WeM2, "Surface Analysis as a Valuable Tool to Study Chemistry of Metals in Environmental Problems," by Kateryna Artyushkova is at 8:20 a.m. CST, Nov. 9, 2016, in Room 101B MORE ABOUT THE AVS 63rd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM & EXHIBITIONThe symposium is being held November 6-11, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee

USEFUL LINKSMain symposium website: https://www.avs.org/SymposiumTechnical Program: http://www.avssymposium.orgMedia Center: https://www.avs.org/About/Press-Media-Center

PRESSROOMTo request free press registration, please contact Della Miller at [email protected].

ABOUT AVS As an interdisciplinary, professional Society, AVS supports networking among academic, industrial, government, and consulting professionals involved in a variety of disciplines - chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, all engineering disciplines, business, sales, etc. through common interests related to the basic science, technology development, and commercialization of materials, interfaces, and processing area.

Founded in 1953, AVS is organized into technical divisions and technical groups that encompass a range of established as well as emerging science and technology areas. There are also regional chapters, international chapters and affiliates, and student chapters that promote communication and networking for professionals and students within a geographical region. AVS is comprised of approximately 4,500 members worldwide.

AVS is a member society of the American Institute of Physics with additional benefits for our members. For more information about AVS, visit our website at http://www.avs.org