ABSTRACT

Water quality refers to the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water.It is
important to test the quality of water that we used. Knowing the characteristics allows us to
determine whether the water is suitable for drinking, agricultural irrigation, protection of aquatic
life or other uses.The general objective of this experiment is to study about the chemical and
physical properties of two different water samples.The purpose of the first experiment is to
determine the amount of carbon dioxide in sample water whilein experiment 2, Azide
Modification of Wrinkler Method is used to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen(DO) in
the sample water. This test is important to measure water's ability to support plants and animals.
There are many different factors that affect the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, the main
one being temperature. As temperature rises, less gas will dissolve.Lastly in experiment3, the
temperature and the pH of the sample water will be determined. HACH Basic water quality kit is
utilized during the experiment to examine the chemical and physical characteristic of water
tested.The sample water that used in these experiments is collected from rainfall (sample A) and
drain water (sample B). In experiment 1, each sample is collected into a titration flask and added
with phenolphthalein. The mixture then will be titrate with sodium hydroxide by using a digital
titrator until the color of solution changes to a light pink color for 30 seconds. In experiment 2,
each water sample is collected into 300 ml BOD bottle without excess air trap in the bottle. Each
sample is mixed with the contents of Sulfate Powder pillow and Alkaline iodide-Azide reagent
Powder pillow. Later, Sulfamic Acid powder content is add to the solution until the floc dissolve
and leave a yellow color that show oxygen is present.The solution then is titrate with sodium
hydroxide until it change to pale yellow. At this point two drops of starch indicator solution is
added and the mixture turn dark blue. Titration then continued to get the final reading which is
until the mixture turn colorless. From the results the concentration of CO2 in sample A is much
lower than concentration of CO2 in sample B. The differences between the concentration of CO2
in sample A and sample B is about 21.6 mg/L CO2. Meanwhile, the concentration of O2 in
sample A is slightly higher compare to concentration of O2 in sample B. the differences between
the two sample is about 1.9 mg/L O2. The higher concentration of C02 in sample water will have
the lower composition of dissolved oxygen(DO). In this experiment the water sample B which is
collected from the drain is more polluted than water sample A which come from rainfall source.

Table of Contents
Abstract 1
Table of contents2
1.0 Introduction3-4
2.0 Objectives 4
3.0 Theory 4-6
4.0 Diagram and Description of Apparatus..7
5.0 Experimental Procedures7-10
6.0 Results and Discussions.10-14
7.0 Sample calculations.14
8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations.15
9.0 References ..15
10.0

Appendices 15-16

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Water quality described the concept and principle that affect water quality and
engineering system that used to improved the quality of water. It also to describe the chemical ,
physical and biological characteristics of water. For the chemical water quality test can be
investigated by measurement of dissolved oxygen which is the test measure waters ability to
support plants and animals. The maintenance of healthy and diverse aquatic ecosystem are
depends on oxygen level. The lower the level of dissolved oxygen the lower the species may
present in the water ( such as lakes , stream , or river ). The concentration of dissolved oxygen in
water sample can be determined by using a Winkler test. Other than that, can be measured the
hardness that can defined as a calcium and magnesium carbonate dissolved in water as Ca+ ,
Mg+ and bicarbonate ions. The hardness of water can be classified into two group which is
hardness is measure amount of positive Ca and Mg ions while alkalinity is measure of negative
bicarbonate ion. Moreover , the higher the amount of CO2 the less species inside the water. Last
but not least for chemical test, is biological oxygen demanding (BOD) is to measure of oxygen
removed from aquatic environment by aerobic microorganisms and measure levels of organic
pollution in lakes and stream.
While for physical water quality, the common test included the turbidity which it measure
water clarity, allow sunlight to penetrate to greater depth . Besides that , the color of water is
clear and there are no smell. For the pH test is to measure the concentration of H+ ions in
solution that is used to identify the acid or base of a sample. Natural water may range from
slightly acidic to slightly basic. Acidic usually from dissolved CO2 while base is usually from
dissolve carbonates. The range of pH value can be determined by if the value is equal to 7 it is
neutral, value less than 7 it is acidic and the value is higher than 7 it is alkali. Physical water

quality also can be test by the temperature. The temperature affect animal feeding and
reproduction habits as well as the water capacity to hold dissolved oxygen ( cold water dissolved
more oxygen than warm water). The experiment have been developed student to analyzing the
basic water quality by examine the characteristic through chemical and physical test.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
The experiment was conducted to determine the amount of carbon dioxide in sample
water. Besides that , the experiment was to investigate the amount of dissolved water in sample
water using 300 ml biological oxygen demanding (BOD) bottle. Lastly, from the experiment
conducted was to identify the temperature and pH of sample water.
3.0 THEORY
Carbon dioxide is present in the water in the form of dissolved gas. Surface water contain
around 10 ppm of free carbon dioxide , while some ground water easily exceed that
concentration. The carbon dioxide is soluble in water. The aquatic life depend on the carbon
dioxide and bicarbonate in water for growth. The higher the concentration of carbon dioxide in
the water the lower the concentration of oxygen in the water.
Carbon dioxide can change the pH of the water:

Substance react immediately with alkali such as sodium carbonate and turn into neutral
carbonate :

Table 1 : Range specific information

Range (mg/L as CO2)

Sample volume (ml)

Titration cartridge

Multiplier

(N, NaOH)
10-50

200

0.3636

0.1

20-100

100

0.3636

0.2

100-400

200

3.636

200-1000

100

3.636

Concentration of CO2 in sample water (mg/L CO2) = digits x multiplier

Dissolved oxygen is usually used in water quality study. An access of manganese
(II) salts, iodide (I-) and hydroxide (OH-) ions is added to a water sample that caused a
white precipitate of Mn(OH)2 formed. This precipitate was oxidized by the dissolved
oxygen in the water sample into a brown then form iodine from the iodide ion (I-). The
amount of dissolved oxygen is directly proportional to titration of iodine with thiosulfate
solution.
In alkaline solution , dissolved oxygen will oxidized manganese (II) ion:
2
Thiosulfate is used with a starch indicator for titration :
2

Table 2 : Volume multipliers

Range (mg/L DO)

Volume (ml)

Titration Cartridge

Digit Multiplier

(N Na2S2O3)
1-5

200

0.2

0.01

2-10

100

0.2

0.02

< 10

200

0.1

Concentration of the O2 in sample water using 300 ml BOD bottle (mg / L O2) = Digits
required x Digit Multiplier
Biological oxygen demand (BOD) is measure the amount of oxygen consumed by
microorganisms in decomposing organic matter in stream water. The rate of oxygen consume are
affected by pH value, temperature and type of organic and inorganic material in water.
Biological oxygen demand (BOD) is directly proportional to the affect of the amount of
dissolved oxygen in rivers and stream. In addition, the higher the biological oxygen
demand(BOD) the higher the oxygen depleted in the stream. Wastewater treatment plant and
urban stormwater runoff that are example of BOD sources. Besides that, BOD can be measure
into two which is one is tested immediately for dissolved oxygen and second is keep the sample
in the dark place at 20 C for 5 day and tested the amount of remaining. The difference level of
the oxygen between test one and second in milligram per liter (mg/ L) is the amount of biological
oxygen demand (BOD). Lastly, the higher the biological oxygen demand(BOD) the lower the
dissolved oxygen(DO) that will effect to the aquatic organisms die and suffocate.
BOD (mg/L) = DO(mg/L) of first bottle DO (mg/L) of second bottle

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

There are few apparatus used to conduct the basic water quality experiment. In
experiment 1, the amount of carbon dioxide is determined. There are three apparatus that have
been used which are digital titrator, delivery tube and 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask. In experiment 2,
two more apparatus have been added up to conduct this experiment which is 250 ml graduated
cylinder and 300 ml BOD bottle with stopper. In experiment 3, the apparatus that are being used
was portable meter connected to electrode and thermometer.
The 125 ml erlenmeyer flask was used to collect both of water samples for titration
process. The digital titrator was used to show the digit which represents the amount of sodium
hydroxide used for the titration. Delivery tube was used with the digital titrator, which this part
used for transferring the materials in titration cartridge to the water sample during titration. For
experiment 2, the 60 mL BOD bottle was used to store the sample water and to avoid dissolved
oxygen from escaping to the surroundings. Graduated cylinder was used to measure 20 mL of
sample from the BOD bottle. Electrode and thermometer that connected to the portable meter
were used to measure the pH and temperature value for the samples. The portable meter used to
show the pH value and degree of temperature of the water samples.
5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Experiment 1: Carbon dioxide test by digital titrator method using sodium hydroxide
1. A sample volume of 100 mL and titration cartridge of 0.3636 were selected from table 1.
2. A clean delivery tube was inserted into the titration cartridge. The cartridge was attached
to the titrator.

3. The delivery knob was turned to eject air and a few drops of titrant. The counter was reset
to zero and the tip was wiped.
4. A water sample was directly collected into the titration flask by filling to the appropriate
mark.
5. The content of one Phenolphthalein Indicator Powder Pillow was added and it was
swirled to mix.
6. The delivery tube was placed into the solution and the flask was swirled. The knob on the
titratorwas turned to add titrant to the solution. The flask was continuously swirled and
titrant was added until the color changed to a light pink color that persisted for 30
seconds.
7. The number of digits displayed on the counter was recorded.
8. The concentration of CO2 in sample water by using the multiplier in table 1.
9. Steps 4 to 8 were repeated by using another water sample.
Experiment 2: Dissolved oxygen test by azide modification of wrinkler method
1. A water sample was collected in a clean 300 ml BOD bottle. The sample was allowed to
overflow the bottle for 2-3 minutes to make sure that air bubbles are not trapped.
2. The contents of one Manganous Sulfate Powder Pillow and one Alkaline Iodide-Azide
Reagent Powder Pillow wereadded.
3. The stopper was immediately inserted without trapping air in the bottle. The bottle was
inverted several times to mix. A flocculent precipitate will form. It will be orange-brown
if oxygen is present or white if oxygen is absent.
4. The flocs were let to settle slowly about five minutes.

5. The bottle was inverted again several times and waited until the floc settled and the top
half of the solution was cleared again. The floc was waited to be settled for the second
time to make sure the reaction of the sample and reagents are complete.
6. The stopper was removed and the content of one Sulfamic Acid Powder Pillow was
added.
7. The stopper was replaced without trapping air in the bottle. The bottle was inverted
several times.
8. A sample volume of 100 ml and Sodium Thiosulfate Titration Cartridge of 0.2 were
selected from Table2 that corresponds to the expected dissolved oxygen (DO)
concentration.
9. A clean delivery tube was inserted into the titration cartridge. The cartridge was attached
to the titrator body.
10. The delivery knob was turned to eject a few drops of titrant. The counter was reset to zero
and the tip was wiped.
11. A graduated cylinder was used to measure the 100 ml of sample volume from table 2.
The sample was transferred into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
12. The delivery tube tip was placed into the solution and the flask was swirled while
titrating with sodium thiosulfate to a pale yellow color.
13. Two 1 ml droppers of Starch Indicator Solution were added and it was swirled to mix. A
dark blue color will be developed.
14. The titration was continued to a colorless end point. The number of digits was recorded.
15. The amount of dissolved oxygen content in water sample was calculated.
16. Steps 1 to 15 were repeated by using another water sample from different source.

Experiment 3: pH and temperature of sample water

1. The samples of water in experiment 1 and 2 were taken.
2. The electrode and thermometer that connected to portable meter was dipped into the water
sample and the reading of pH and temperature displayed was recorded in the raw data table.

6.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

RESULT
Table 1: Raw Data Table for Experiment 1
Water
Sample

Range
(mg/L as CO2)

A
B

20-100
20-100

Sample
Volume
(mL)
100
100

Titration
Cartridge

Multiplier

Digits

0.3636
0.3636

0.2
0.2

104
212

Table 2: Calculated Data Table for Experiment 1

Water Sample
A
B

Concentration of CO2 (mg/L CO2)

20.8
42.4

Table 3: Raw Data Table for Experiment 2

Water
Sample

Range
(mg/L as CO2)

A
B

2-10
2-10

Sample
Volume
(mL)
100
100

Titration
Cartridge

Multiplier

Digits

0.2
0.2

0.02
0.02

405
310

Table 4: Calculated Data Table for Experiment 2

Water Sample
A
B

Concentration of O2 (mg/L O2)

8.1
6.2

10

Table 5: Raw Data Table for Experiment 3

Water Sample
A
B

Temperature (0C)
29.0
28.7

pH
7.20
7.39

Based on the data above, the concentration of CO2 in sample A is much lower than
concentration of CO2 in sample B. The differences between the concentration of CO2 in sample A
and sample B is about 21.6 mg/L CO2. Meanwhile, the concentration of O2in sample Ais slightly
higher compare to concentration of O2 in sample B. the differences between the two sample is
about 1.9 mg/L O2.
DISCUSSIONS
The purpose of experiment 1 is to determine the amount of carbon dioxide in sample
water and investigating the amount of dissolved oxygen in the sample water is the main objective
of experiment 2. Meanwhile, the temperature and the pH of the sample water can be determined
in the experiment 3. The general objective of experiment 1 and 2 is to study about the chemical
properties of sample water and experiment 3 is to study the physical properties of water. The
sample water that used in the experiment is collected from rainfall (sample A) and drain water
(sample B).
Firstly, water is one of the elements that important to living thing in the earth. But not all
the types of water are suitable and safe to consume by living things. There are standard level
needs to be achieved before it is safe to be used. This is because there are some of soluble
substances that exist in the water besides hydrogen and oxygen molecules such as dissolved
oxygen (DO) and carbon dioxide.

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Presence of carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen (DO) can be determined by using
carbon dioxide test and dissolved oxygen test. This carbon dioxide test is important because to
know whether the water is suitable for habitat of living thing such as aquatic plant in the water,
phytoplankton and fish. For example, the higher of carbon dioxide can cause the limited amount
of oxygen in water and this situation can makes it more difficult for the fish to consume the
oxygen. On the other hand, the importance of the dissolved oxygen test is to measure the amount
of gaseous oxygen dissolved in the aqueous solution. The minimum level of dissolved oxygen is
required in the water is 5.0 mg/L. For example, if dissolved oxygen levels drop below 5.0 mg/L,
the aquatic life in the water is put in stress. Then, after a few hours, the fish kill in large scale.
There are many ways how the carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen can be presence in
the water. For the carbon dioxide, they can presence in the water by waste product of respiration
process of aquatic life such as fish, plankton, and bacteria. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide also
can be presence by capturing the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the water. Meanwhile,
the oxygen also has another way in order to presence in the water. Aquatic plant in the water will
make photosynthesis process by consuming the carbon dioxide and release the oxygen. In
addition, the diffusion of the oxygen gas from the surrounding into the water also lead to the
presence of dissolved oxygen.
Based on the data obtained from the experiment, the concentration of CO2 (mg/L CO2) is
calculated by using the formula of digits required times with multiplier. From the experiment 1,
the value of concentration of CO2 for sample A is 20.8 mg/L while the concentration of CO2 for
sample B is 42.4 mg/L. Based from the literature that has been searched, the sufficient range of
concentration of CO2 level for aquatic plant to lives is between 10 mg/L to 40 mg/L. Hence, the
sample A is suitable for the aquatic plant to lives while sample B is consider as not suitable for
12

habitat of aquatic plant because excessive of carbon dioxide. In addition, the carbon dioxide
content in sample A is much lower because it does not interact and expose to contaminant on the
surrounding compare to the sample B which is in the drain that contain many contaminant that
come from rubbish, wastewater from residential area, and many more.
Meanwhile, the dissolved oxygen is another parameter that being tested in this
experiment. Based from the table in result section, the value of concentration of O2 is obtained by
using the formula of digit required times multiplier. The concentration of O2 is measure in mg/L
of O2. The concentration of oxygen in sample A is 8.1 mg/L and the concentration of oxygen in
sample B is 6.2 mg/L. Based on the literature that has been searched, the minimum concentration
of oxygen for non-polluted is 6.5 mg/L meanwhile the range of concentration of oxygen for
lightly-polluted water is between 4.6 mg/L to 6.5 mg/L. Hence, the sample A is classified as nonpolluted water and sample B is classified as lightly-polluted water. In addition, sample B is more
polluted compared to the sample A because water in the sample B is content more carbon
dioxide. This will cause the limited amount of oxygen can be presence in the water.
The pH and temperature of the water also is another important aspect to study in order to
know the properties of water. The water can be classified as basic, neutral or acidic by determine
the pH values. The maximum value of pH for the acidic water is 6.9 while minimum value of pH
for basic water is 7.1. The optimum pH value for water is 7.0 which in neutral condition. The
acidic water is not suitable to using by living thing because it very corrosive as well as basic
water. From the experiment, both samples have the pH value in the range of 7.0 to 7.5. Hence,
the both water are slightly have alkaline properties due to basic water characteristic. Besides that,
the temperature also plays an important role for the reaction in the water. The higher the
temperature of water caused the rate of reaction to increase. For example, underground water has
13

higher temperature compare to surface water. This condition leads to more minerals can be
dissolved in the water compare to surface water which is has lower mineral content. Sample A
and B has an optimum temperature, so the reaction such as dissolving of oxygen and diffusion of
carbon dioxide can occur in ideal condition in both samples.

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION

Calculation of the amount of carbon dioxide in sample waterA :
For range 20-100, multiplier of 0.2 is used,
Concentration of CO2(mg/L) = digits x multiplier
= 104 x 0.2
= 20.8 mg / L

Calculation of the amount of carbon dioxide in sample waterA :

For range 2-10, multiplier 0.02 is used,
Concentration of O2 in 300ml BOD bottle(mg/L) = digits x multiplier
= 405 x 0.02
= 8.1 mg/L

14

8.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS
In this experiment, sample A which is collected from the rainfall have lower concentration
of CO2 (20.8 mg/L) but slightly higher in the concentration of dissolved oxygen(8.1 mg/L) while
sample B have very high content of concentration of CO2 (42.4mg/L) and low in concentration
of dissolved oxygen(6.8 mg/L). It show that sample water B which is collected from the drain is
more polluted than sample A as it have higher in CO2 concentration and low in dissolved oxygen
composition.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. After adding the reagents powder quickly close the bottle cap to avoid water sample surface
react with surrounding air. This can lead to wrong titration reading.
2. Used proper and tight BOD Bottle cap because some of them maybe loose causing air trap into
the bottle while the bottle is inverted to mix the solution in experiment 2.Air which consist of
oxygen will alter the reaction take place in the bottle with other reagent.
9.0 REFERENCES
1. Carbon dioxide for pH control. Retrieved July 13, 2013 , from
www.help.bioworldusa.com/kb/water-analysis-dissolved carbon dioxide
2. Dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand . Retrieved July 13 , 2013 , from
www.water.epa.gov..River&Stream
3. Puan Noorzalila binti Muhammad Niza. (2013). Chemical Engineering Laboratory . Basic
water quality. Universiti Teknologi Pulau Pinang.

10.0 APPENDICES
15

Literature research: Dissolved Oxygen Table

Water Quality/Item
Dissolved
Oxygen(DO)mg/L
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand(BOD5)mg/L
Suspended Solids(SS)
mg/L

Non(Slightly)polluted
Over 6.5

Lightlypolluted
4.6~6.5

Moderatelypolluted
2.0~4.5

Severelypolluted
Less than 2.0

Over 3.0

3.0~4.9

5.0~15.0

Over 15.0

Less than 20.0

20~49.9

50.0~100

Over 100

Literature research: Carbon Dioxide in Water

Carbon Dioxide Level (mg/L)
Over 40.0
10.0 ~ 40.0
Less than 10.0

Description
Excess CO2 limited oxygen
Optimum CO2
Less CO2 Photosynthesis cannot occur

16