The research is important because certain levels of fluoride in drinking water can be beneficial to dental health, reducing the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid and damage teeth.
Shark teeth buried in the sands of Florida’s warm sunny beaches and new lab equipment at Indiana University are helping a Hoosier geologist dig into research that could explain dangerously high fluoride levels in some Indiana groundwater.
Branam was aware of similar research in South Carolina that indicated fluoride in the water came from a specific mineral in fossilized shark teeth called apatite and wanted to see if that could be a factor in his Indiana water samples. “I submitted my proposal to federal government agencies and bureaus, including EPA and Department of Health, but at that time they were not interested in groundwater studies as much as surface water research,” Branam said.“Thus ended my dissertation project and my PhD," he said,"but my desire to still conduct this research never faded.”
As Branam’s groundwater research simmered on the back burner, IGWS went through a changing of the guard.Six years ago, Todd Thompson became the director of the institute that researches and collects geologic data and information related to energy, mineral and water resources in the state. The survey funding comes partially from a biennial state appropriation as well as federal and state grant programs.
Another recent addition, an instrument called an autotitrator, replaced a manual machine that only worked sporadically. The new equipment measures different aspects of groundwater, including hardness and fluoride levels. It also can determine the amount of apatite present in samples. Even though Indiana is home to these fossilized shark teeth, it’s impractical to use them in the lab as they’re very fragmented and the core samples geologists pull from those depths are small. So to test his long-held hypothesis, Branam will use a mortar and pestle to crush some of his own fossilized shark tooth collection.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Cute Video: Fort Worth Zoo baby elephant having the time of his life with bubblesNo matter what you're doing right now, you're probably not having nearly as much fun as Brazos, the 10-month-old elephant who discovered bubbles.
Consulte Mais informação »
Are Bigger Cars Safer Than Smaller Cars? SUVs Safer Than Cars?Vehicle death rates tell a story that crash testing can’t. We dig through the data to answer your burning questions.
Consulte Mais informação »
8-Year-Old Finds Huge Prehistoric Shark Tooth on South Carolina BeachAn eight-year-old boy made the “find of a lifetime” while on a fossil digging tour during a family vacation in South Carolina.
Consulte Mais informação »
Morgan Plus Four CX-T 2022 review – driving the best type of crossover | EvoMorgan's eccentric Plus Four CX-T is a breath of fresh air, but can it ever be worth its £204,000 price tag?
Consulte Mais informação »
Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Sanjaya Malakar comes out as bisexualThe polarizing singer talks sexuality, Simon Cowell and what he’s doing now in a new interview.
Consulte Mais informação »
Lightfoot highlights investments for Chicago start-up businessesDozens of business owners Thursday learned the ‘dos’ and 'don'ts' on getting government contracts.
Consulte Mais informação »