Ammonia

Introduction

Ammonia is a product of the microbiological decay of animal and plant protein. It can be
directly reused by plants to produce protein. Ammonia and nitrogen compounds are applied
directly as fertilizers. The presence of ammonia nitrogen in surface water usually indicates
domestic pollution. High concentrations of these nutrients may indicate a well construction
problem or an environmental impact in the vicinity of the water supply. Potassium
tetraiodomercurate (II), (K2[HgI4]) is the inorganic compound consisting of potassium cations
and the tetraiodomercurate(II) anion, it is mainly used as nessler’s reagent. This pale solution
becomes deeper yellow in the presence of ammonia. At higher concentrations, a brown
precipitate may form and the sensitivity as a spot test is about 0.3 µgNH3 in 2 µL. The intensity
of the colour is in direct proportional to the ammonia concentration.

Objective

1. To determine the concentration of Ammonia Nitrogen in the water sample.

2. to analyse the data and interpret the result of the Ammonia Nitrogen experiment.

Apparatus

1.Spectrophotometer

2.sample cells

3.pippete

4.stopper

5.measuring cylinder.
Procedure

1. 1mL of sample was added in the 25mL volumetric flask and filled with distilled water to the
mark

2. Distilled water was added to the mark at another volumetric flask for blank preparation.

3. Three drops of mineral stabiliser was added to each cylinder and inverted several times to
mix it.

4. Then three drops of polyvinyl alcohol dispersing agent was added to each cylinder and
inverted several times also

5. 1.0 mL of Nessler reagent was pipette into each cylinder. The cylinder was stopper and
inverted several times to mix it.

6. The instrument timer was used to start a one-minutes reaction period to begin. After one-
minutes reaction, 10mL of each solution was poured into the sample cell.

7. When the timer beeps the blank solution was place into the cell holder and ZERO the
instrument.

8. The same procedure was repeat for sample and standard solution but READ the instrument
in mg/L NH3-N
Result

Type of Volume of Volume of Dilution Result NH3-N

water sample deionised factor (mg/L) (mg/L)
(mL) water used
(mL)
Lake water 5 20 5 0.61 3.05

Tap water 25 0 0 0.03 0.03

Reading
Type of water 1 (mg/L) 2 (mg/L) 3 (mg/L) Average (mg/L)
Lake Water 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61
Tap Water 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03

Analysis

1. NH3-N (mg/L) = NH3-N from the spectrophotometer X Dilution factor

= 0.61 X 5

= 3.05 mg/L

2. Average reading (mg/L) = (Reading 1 + Reading 2 + Reading 3) / No of Reading

= (0.61+0.61+0.61)/3

= 0.61 mg/L
Discussion

Based on the experiment, the value of ammonia nitrate of influent water sample is 3.05 mg/L
while the effluent water sample is 0.03 mg/L. the data will then be compare with the National
Water Quality Standard For Malaysia .Malaysia. For the NWQS, we can conclude that the
influent water sample is indeed dirty and not safe for use as water supply. The influent need to
undergo extensive treatment in order to use as water supply. On the other hand, the influent
reading show that the water is clean and therefore, it can use for water supply and drinking
water. For the effluent water sample, the ammonia nitrate is presence is due to the product of
microbiological decay from the animals and plants. Also included fertiliser which the farmers
use to grow their crops. These fertiliser contain a high concentration of nitrogen which is
essential for the crops to grow healthy. While for the influent water sample, most of the
ammonia nitrate had been removed by the help of the treatment plant. Thus, the concentration
is reduce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the experiment had done successfully as the objective had been achieved. The
influent water sample shown a present of ammonia nitrate just what we had expected. While
the effluent water sample shown less or absent of ammonia nitrate. This is because the water
sample had gone through multiple treatment at the water treatment plant in order to get rid of
the ammonia nitrate. We can determine which class the water sample is categorised is from
the National Water Quality Standard. From the standard shown that the water sample is in
class III which the water need to go through extensive treatment before it can be use as water
supply.