TITLE:
EXPERIMENT 1A: Water Quality Test Analysis
INTRODUCTION: Water is an unusual compound with unique physical properties. As a result, it is the compound of life. Yet, it is i s the most abundant compound in the biosphere of Earth. However, due to its capability to dissolve many substances, water is rarely found in pure form and contains other substances physically or chemically, and also microorganisms.
All organisms require water. Water helps dissolves nutrients in food and helps transfer it to the whole body. Materials that harmful to water quality are contaminants. Contaminants in water usually cause little known as pollutants or contaminants.
harm to water as they are not lethal and are at low concentration. Pollutant substances that dissolves in water however can cause harm to water even at very low concentration
Water pollution in nature is caused by people and the mother nature. While pollutants and contaminants are generally described as the same meaning, the source of pollution in water is by the people. Otherwise, the impurities of water caused by the natural process is called contaminants. Naturally occurring events such as volcanic epidemics, mudslides, floods and animal wastes can produce polluting materials. These These pollutants can wash into lakes, rivers rivers and other streams streams and damage water quality.
People add to water pollution in their homes. In fact, land owner smears more fertilizers and pesticides, per square foot, on their lawns and gardens than farmers apply to entire crop fields. Land owner doesn’t always properly dispose of poisonous wastes, either. Some residues may be thrown into ditches or the woods, or flushed down the drain. Even some of the residues that end up in landfills may leach into water supplies. Septic systems that are not not functioning
properly also can contaminate c ontaminate groundwater. All of these things can contribute to water pollution.
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this experiment, we are expected to be able to:
1.
To compare water sample several dissimilarities between lake water and drainage water.
2.
To evaluate water quality in term of physical and chemical parameters.
METHODOLOGY: A.
PH
1.
In this experiment, the pH of water is measured using a pH meter. The measurement is taken in a free flowing portion of the stream. pH measurement is accomplished accomplished by using pH meter.
2.
The meter is on.
3.
Probe is put in first calibrating buffer.
4.
CAL is pressed to calibrate for two pH solution: pH 7.00. Then, button ENTER is pressed.
5.
Probe is rinsed by using distilled water.
6.
Next stored is buffered with pH 4.01 and ENTER button is pressed.
7.
Probe is rinsed by using distilled water again and being place in sample. Reading is taken.
FIGURE 1: pH meter
FIGURE 2: Buffer Solutions
B.
Temperature
1.
Thermometer is used to take a temperature temperature reading of a stream.
2.
The reading is taken in lab from a water sample in a beaker for both water samples by using built built in thermometer thermometer in pH meter for
more accurate reading.
3.
Result is recorded.
FIGURE 3: Thermometer
C.
1.
Colour
The cell containing the blank (distilled water) is placed in the sample compartment with the transparent sides facing the light source. The sample compartment lid is then closed.
2.
“AUTOZERO” key to set the zero absorbance is pressed
3.
The distilled water is removed and the cell containing the water sample is placed in measuring position. The sample compartment lid is then closed.
4.
Press “START” key to measure colour.
5.
Record the “Conc” as colour units for the sample
6.
Results is then t hen recorded
FIGURE 4: Spectrophotometer
D.
Turbidity
1.
The meter is calibrated by using 4 calibration solutions as provided with the meter.
2.
The water sample is mixed thoroughly.
3.
Clean sample vial is prepared.
4.
The vial is rinsed with the sample solution.
5.
The rinsed vial is filled (approximately 10ml).
6.
The vial is wiped with ssoft oft cloth.
7.
A thin film of silicon oil is applied.
8.
The vial is placed into the meter for measurement.
9.
The vial’s mark is aligned with the meter’s mark.
10.
The vial is covered with the light shield cap.
11.
The meter is tuned on.
12.
Reading is taken.
FIGURE 4: Turbidity meter
FIGURE 5: Vials, Silicone gel, and cleaning cloth
RESULTS:
A.
PH
pH Reading Water Sample
1st
2nd
3rd
Sample A (Chempaka Lake)
8.31
8.31
8.31
Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A)
6.79
6.79
6.79
B.
Temperature
Water Sample Sample A (Chempaka Lake) Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A)
C.
Temperature Reading, °C 1st 2nd 3rd 29.2 29.1 29.0 26.7 26.7 26.7
Colour
Color Water Sample Sample A (Chempaka Lake)
1st 141
2nd 140
3rd 140
Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A)
72
73
72
D.
Turbidity
Water Sample Sample A (Chempaka Lake) Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A)
Turbidity, NTU 1st 2nd 3rd 4.33 3.76 3.64 2.03 2.23 2.09
Average 3.91 2.12
DISCUSSION:
A. PH
pH indicator is used to measure the acidity and alkalinity of water. Normally, the pH of natural water is in the range of 6.5 to 8.5. The result obtained from this experiment shown that Sample A (Chempaka Lake) has pH of 8.31; Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A) has pH of 6.79.
Typically, natural water has pH 6.5-8.5 because most aquatic cannot ca nnot survive in pH below 4. Natural alkalinity a lkalinity is due to the presence of carbon dioxide gas, CO2; HCO3¯ ions; CO3 ¯ ions and OH¯ ions2 which exist in the limestone and dolomite. Alkalinity may also exist by caustic substances from industry (potassium hydroxide, KOH and sodium hydroxide, NaOH), soil additives in agriculture such as lime Ca(OH)2, superphosphate which is mixture of Ca(H2PO4)2 and CaSO4 and soaps and detergents. The greater natural cause for change in pH in a stream is the seasonal and daily variation in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses up hydrogen molecules which causes the concentration of hydrogen ions to decrease and thus increase the pH value.
Due to the result obtained, we may see that Sample A has greater pH value than Sample B. From this, we may predict that there is a slight change in pH water due to the existence of CO2 gas in the surrounding which allows the alkalinity of the distilled water increased.
By comparing with both Sample A and Sample B, it is obviously that both samples have been a bit polluted. The result also proves that Sample A is taken from lake water while Sample B is taken from the drainage water. This is because, lake water might have higher alkalinity due to the presence of lots of ions inside while drainage water is caused by the deposits of (Fe(OH)3) or other metallic compounds. A reaction occurs that results in a heavy sedimentation that blankets the stream.
This blanket is caused when the iron hydroxide precipitates out of the water due to a lower pH from acid mine drainage.
B. Temperature
Based on our observation, the temperature obtained for Sample A (Chempaka Lake) is 29.2 ºC while the temperature for Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A) is 26.7 ºC. From the result obtained, we may conclude that both of the water has temperature above 20 ºC which can be described as warm water.
Temperature Greater than 20ºC (warm water)
Examples of life Much plant life, many fish diseases. Most bass, crappie, bluegill, crap, catfish,
Middle range (12-20 ºC)
caddis fly. Some plant life, some fish diseases. Salmon, trout, stone fly, mayfly, caddis
Low range range (cold-less (cold-less than than 12 ºC)
fly, water beetles. Trout, caddis fly, stone stone fly, fly, mayfly.
Temperature influences the amount of dissolved oxygen in water which in turn influences the survival of aquatic organisms. When temperature is increased, the dissolved oxygen saturation level will be decreased thus increasing the rate of chemical reactions that takes place in the water. The result shown that lake water has slightly high temperature compared to drainage water thus we may predict that lake has lower dissolved oxygen saturation level.
C. Colour
Many surface waters are coloured, due primarily to decomposition of organics, metallic salts or coloured clays. This colour is considered as "apparent colour" as it is seen in the presence of suspended matter, whereas "true colour" is derived only from dissolved inorganic and organic matters. Samples can be centrifuged and/or filtered to remove turbidity in order to measure true colour. Dissolved organic matter from decaying vegetation or some inorganic materials may impart colour to the water. Waters which obtain their colour from natural organic matter usually pose no health hazard. However, because of the yellowish brown appearance of such waters, the consumers may not find the water aesthetically acceptable.
Colour Units
1 ~ 50 51 ~ 100 101 ~ 250 251~500
From results, sample A has colour units of 140 on average, while sample B has 72 colour units on average, by 0 color unit being true color of water, and 500 being coloured water. It is clear that sample A is proven from lake water because of the decaying vegetation or inorganic materials nearby the lake whereas the sample B is from drainage water because of the mostly metallic material does not dissolves in water
D. Turbidity
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality. Turbidity measured this way uses an instrument called a turbidometer or nephelometer with the detector setup to the side of the light beam. More light reaches the detector if
there are lots of small particles scattering scatte ring the source beam than if there are few. The units of turbidity from a calibrated nephelometer are called Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).
Based on the result, the value of turbidity of Sample A is 3.91 NTU on average while for the Sample B is 2.12 NTU on average. The difference in value of turbidity will determine the type of water. There is a correlation between turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) because it is due to the fact that the greater the amount of total suspended solids (TSS) in the water, the murkier it appears and the higher the measured turbidity. The major source of turbidity in the open water zone of most lakes is typically phytoplankton, but closer to shore, particulates may also be clays and silts. Thus, based on the result of the turbidity, it can say that Sample A is lake water while Sample B is drainage water.
DISCUSSION:
The differences between polluted and unpolluted stream can be determine by using us ing physical parameters of water. Different place that the water sample has been take present different results. People keep doing a lot of activity related to water everyday such as industry, camping, fishing, swimming, bathing and else. Those activities did affect the water yet adds more content to the water. The water sample which is taken from the place that is of those activities will be polluted. Result shown the Sample A is more polluted compared to sample B. Thus, this proof that Sample A is lake water water and Sample B is drainage drainage water.
In this experiment, we have learned on how to test te st the water quality by using physical parameters of water. Water quality may be not being determine only by using a parameter. This is not enough to ensure whether the water is polluted or not, thus variety of instruments is used to stabilize our results.
REFERENCES:
1. Anonymous (2009). Aus-e-tute. Acces from http://www.ausetute.com.au/waterana.html on January 23, 2009.
2. Anonymous (2009). Bioworld products. Access from http://www.adbio.com/science/analysis/water-temp http://www.adbio.com /science/analysis/water-temperature.htm erature.htm on January 23, 2009.
3. Anonymous (2009). The pH of distilled water. Access from http://www.coolschool.ca/lor/CH12/unit4/U04L07.htm http://www.coolschool.ca/lor/CH12/uni t4/U04L07.htm on January 24, 2009.
4. Anonymous (2009). Turbidity. Access from http://waterontheweb.org/under/waterqu http://waterontheweb .org/under/waterquality/turbidity.html ality/turbidity.html on January 23, 2009
5. Anonymous (2009). Turbidity. Access from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbidity on January 23, 2009
6. Murphy, S. (2007). General Information on Solids. Access from http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/TSS.html on January 24, 2009. 7.
http://www.ce.vt.edu/enviro/gwprimer/acidmine.htm "Groundwater http://www.ce.vt.edu/enviro/gwprimer/acidmine.htm "Groundwater Pollution Primer".
APPENDICES:
APPENDIX I: Sample A (Chempaka Lake) and Sample B (UNIPARK B.A Drainage)
APPENDIX II: Buffer Solutions
APPENDIX III: Spectrophotometer
APPENDIX IV: Vials, Silicone gel, and cleaning cloth
APPENDIX V: Tubidometer
APPENDIX VII: setting up pH meter
APPENDIX VI: pH meter
APPENDIX VIII:setting up spectrophotometer
