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 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
known as pollutants or contaminants. Contaminants in water usually cause little
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 pollutants can wash into lakes, rivers and other 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 doesnt 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 functioning

properly also can contaminate 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 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 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 in 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 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 soft cloth.

7.

A thin film of silicon oil is applied.

8.

The vial is placed into the meter for measurement.

9.

The vials mark is aligned with the meters 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

Water Sample

1st

pH Reading
2nd

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

Water Sample
Sample A (Chempaka Lake)
Sample B (Unipark Drain Block A)

D.

3rd

1st
141
72

Color
2nd
140
73

3rd
140
72

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 survive
in pH below 4. Natural alkalinity 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 C while the temperature for Sample B (Unipark Drain
Block A) is 26.7 C. From the result obtained, we may conclude that both of the
water has temperature above 20 C which can be described as warm water.

Temperature
Greater than 20C (warm water)

Examples of life
Much plant life, many fish diseases.
Most bass, crappie, bluegill, crap, catfish,

Middle range (12-20 C)

caddis fly.
Some plant life, some fish diseases.
Salmon, trout, stone fly, mayfly, caddis

Low range (cold-less than 12 C)

fly, water beetles.

Trout, caddis fly, stone 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 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 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 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 and Sample B is drainage water.

In this experiment, we have learned on how to test 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-temperature.htm on
January 23, 2009.
3. Anonymous (2009). The pH of distilled water. Access from
http://www.coolschool.ca/lor/CH12/unit4/U04L07.htm on January 24,
2009.

4. Anonymous (2009). Turbidity. Access from

http://waterontheweb.org/under/waterquality/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 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