Abstract

This experiment is conducted to determine the content of dissolved chemical such as

chlorine, sulfate, chromium, iron, and phosphorus in a water sample. The water sample was
taken from a pond located at Seksyen 7, Shah Alam. The objective of this experiment is to
determine the quality and safety of the water sample. We can determine the range of the
dissolved heavy metals (chlorine, sulfate, iron, and phosphorus) in the sample water when a
certain volume is taken to be experimented. From the results, the quality and safety of the
water can also be determined. The Portable Spectrophotometer is used to determine the
amount of pollutants in the water sample. It can also be used to measure the wavelength and
the mass of the pollutants, referring to the density shown by the apparatus. The
concentrations of the heavy metals in the water sample are as follows; chlorine total (0.08
mg/L), chlorine free (0.01 mg/L), sulfate (13.0 mg/L), phosphorus reactive (0.08 mg/L), iron
(0.82 mg/L).

Introduction

Analysis of heavy metals in 5,613 water samples in the year 2006 revealed that almost
all samples complied with Class III, National Water Quality Standards for arsenic (As),
mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), except iron (Fe) with
83 percent compliance.

The statements above shows that the water quality has been contaminated by heavy
metals, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), and chlorine (Cl). The exposure and
existence of these heavy metals are apparently one of the main threats to humans health.

Roadways and automobiles are considered as large possible sources for such
hazardous heavy metals. Zinc, copper and lead are the most common heavy metals that are

being released from road travels, which contributes at least 90 percents of the total metals in
road runoff.

On the road surface, most heavy metals become bound to the surfaces of road dust or
other particulates. During precipitation, the bound metals will either dissolved or be swept off
the roadway with the dust. In either case, the metals enter the soil or are channelled into a
storm drain.

Heavy metals can be very harmful to ones health if a drinking water containing such
deadly metals is consumed. The circumstances include disturbance in growth and
development, triggering cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme
cases, causing fatal.

Research shows that youngsters are more susceptible to be affected to the toxicity of
the heavy metals, as the rapidly developing body systems in foetus, infants and young
children are far more sensitive than the adults. The effects include learning difficulties,
memory impairment, damage to the nervous system, and behavioural problems such as
hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Irreversible brain damage results from overdose of the
metals.

Therefore, humans need to be highly aware with the harmful effects the water
containing heavy metals could bring to ones health. Heavy metal pollution is a quickly
growing problem for our oceans, lakes, and rivers. We need to be aware of the problems
heavy metal creates, so we all, in our own little ways, can contribute to the solutions.

Objectives

The objectives of this experiment is to:

Determine the dissolved heavy metals (chlorine total, chlorine free, sulfate,
phosphorus reactive and iron) in water sample collected from a pond at Seksyen 7,
Shah Alam.

Discussing the effects of presence of heavy metals in water sources.

Theory

Polluted drinking water is unavoidable even in the cities or countries that claim to
have healthy water supplies, there would still be cases regarding polluted water because the
local water may contain unique bacteria that unknown to humans body. Water is one of the
natures most essential gift to mankind. The basic need for survival of human being is
water. It is important for the sustenance and growth of human beings as well as of all
animals and plants. Our body needs water in many different forms in order to keep
functioning and clean water is absolutely essential for healthy living. It is necessary for
digestion, absorption of food, supplies oxygen and nutrition to cells, helps to get rid of bodys
waste, etc. It is needed by the flora and fauna but the biggest issue is getting clean water.
Water is required for many purposes, so it should be safe and healthy. Water is therefore an
essential factor in the economic, social and cultural development of the country. Unsafe
drinking water sources can spread serious diseases, such as potential water-borne illnesses
like amoebiasis, cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea, hepatitis A, polio, SARS and malaria.

The United States of America are one of the countries that operates numerous heavy
industrial factories and have records of polluted environment, which explains lots of news
and reports stating that most tap and well water in that country is not safe for drinking
purpose recently. The heavy metals penetrate and pollute our natural water sources along with

toxic bacteria and other chemicals, making people sick as well as causing long term health
consequences such as liver damage, cancer and other serious health problems. It is even
believed that almost all our sources of water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes,
rivers, and even glaciers, contain some level of contamination. Even some brands of bottled
water have been found to be polluted and harmful in addition to plastic chemical leaching
from the bottle.

Chlorine, for examples, is usually added to water to deactivate and destroy diseasecausing microorganisms and is the most widely used as disinfectant in the United States. It
can react with naturally occurring organic compounds found in water supply, which in turns
produce hazardous compounds, known as disinfection by-products (DBPs). Trihalomethanes
(THMs) and haloacetic acids are common DBPs. It is undeniably potentially carcinogenic
especially to organs such as kidney and liver.

The Secondary Drinking Water Regulations recommend a maximum concentration of

250 mg/L for sulfate ions (SO42-). Sulfate is in fact occurs in almost all natural waters. Sulfate
is indeed one of the major dissolved constituents in rainwater. High concentrations of sulfate
in drinking water cause a laxative effect when combined with magnesium and calcium.
Bacteria which in fact attacks and reduces sulfates, causes the formation of hydrogen sulfide
gas (H2S).

The maximum contaminant level (MCLs) of iron is 0.3 mg/L. Iron ingestion is not
generally unhealthy and absolutely necessary in small amounts. However, research has found
that exposure to high levels of iron can lead to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Iron is
often included in supplements and enriched products. It also contains in red meat, therefore
easily to be consumed.

Chromium hexavalent as we know in previous experimental, refers to chemical

compounds that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. It is used for the
production of stainless steel, textile dyes, wood preservation, leather tanning, and as anticorrosion and conversion coatings as well as variety of niche used. Hexavalent chromium
compounds are genotoxic carcinogens. Chronic inhalation of the compounds increases risk of

lung cancer. Besides, chromium hexavalent also causes short term health problems such as
skin irritation or ulceration, whereas the long term effects of exposure include damage to
liver, kidney circulatory and nerve tissues.

Apparatus

Pour-Thru Cell

Portable Spectrophotometer DR 2400

250 ml Erlenmeyer flask

10-mL and 25-mL cell riser

Clippers

25-mL graduated cylinder

Reagents

Sample water

DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow

DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow

Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent Powder Pillow

Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow

Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Powder Pillow

Procedures

Chlorine Total
1. Touched the hach programs. Selected programs 80 chlor. F&T and pressed start
button.
2. Filled a round sample cell with 10ml of sample.
3. The contents of one DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow is added to sample cell. The
sample is swirled for 20 seconds to make sure it mixed well.
4. Set the timer and begin a three-minutes reaction. Steps 5 and 6 are performed during
this time period.
5. The sample cell is filled with 10ml of sample for another round. The sample cell is
wiped and placed into the cell holder.
6. Touched Zero and the display showed 0.00mg/L

Cl2

7. The prepared sample is wiped and placed into the cell holder within three minutes
after the timer beep.
8. Touched Read and the results will appeared in mg/L

Cl2

Chorine Free
1. Touched the hach programs. Selected programs 80 chlor. F&T and pressed start
button.
2. Filled a round sample cell with 10ml of sample.
3. The sample cell is wiped and placed into the cell holder.
Cl2
4. Touched Zero and the display showed 0.00mg/L
.
5. The sample cell with 10mL of sample is filled for the second round.
6. The contents of one DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow is added to sample cell. The
sample is swirled for 20 seconds to make sure it mixed well and proceed to step 7
immediately.
7. The prepared sample is placed into the cell holder within one minute of adding the
reagent.
8. Touched Read and the results will appeared in mg/L

Cl2

Iron Total
1. Touched the hach programs. Selected programs 265 Iron, FerroVer and pressed start
button.
2. Filled a cleaned round sample cell with 10ml of sample.

3. The contents of one Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Powder Pillow is added to sample cell
(the prepared sample). The sample cell is swirled to mix.
4. Set the timer and begin a three-minutes reaction. (samples that contain rust should
5.
6.
7.
8.

react fr at least 5 minutes)

The sample cell is filled with 10ml of sample for another round.
Placed the blank into the cell holder when the timer beeps.
Touched Zero and the display showed 0.00mg/L Fe
The prepared sample is placed into the cell holder. Touched Read and the results will
appeared in mg/L Fe.

Phosphorus, Reactive (Orthophosphate)

1. Touched the hach programs. Select the programs 490 P React,PV and pressed start
button.
2. Filled a cleaned round sample cell with 10ml of sample.
3. The contents of one Phos Ver 3 phosphate Powder Pillow is added to cell.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Immediately cap and inverted to mix (this is the prepared sample)

Set the timer
The sample cell with 10mL of sample is filled.(this is the blank)
Placed the blank into the cell holder when the timer beeps.
3
Touched Zero and the display showed 0.00mg/L PO 4

8. The prepared sample is wiped and placed into the cell holder. Touched Read and the
3
results appeared in mg/L PO 4
Sulfate
1. Touched the hach programs. Select the programs 680 Sulfate and pressed start button.
2. Filled a cleaned round sample cell with 10ml of sample.
3. The contents of one Sulfa Ver 4 Reagent Powder Pillow is added to cell. Swirled to
mix.
4. Set the timer. Begin a five-minute reaction period. Do not disturb the cell during this
time.
5. The sample cell with 10mL of sample is filled.(this is the blank)
6. Placed the blank into the cell holder when the timer beeps.
2 .
7. Touched Zero and the display showed 0.00mg/L SO 4
8. The prepared sample is placed into the cell holder within five minutes after the timer
2
beeps. Touched Read and the results appeared in mg/L SO 4 .

9. The sample cells is cleaned with soap and a brush.

Results

Substance

Reagent

Colour of

Range (mg/L)

Result (mg/L)

Colourless

0.02-2.00

0.08

Colourless

0.02-2.00

0.01

Sulfa ver 4

Slightly cloudy

2.00-70.0

13

reagent powder

solution is

pillow

formed

Ferro ver Iron

Light orange

0.02-3.00

0.82

reagent powder

solution is

Phosphorus

pillow
Phos ver 3

formed
Pale blue solution

0.02-2.50

0.08

reactive

phosphate

is formed

solution
Chlorine total

DPD total
chlorine powder
pillow

Chlorine free

DPD free
chlorine powder
pillow

Sulfate

Iron

powder pillow

Calculations

Cl2

Chlorine Total (

The concentration of Chlorine (

The volume of sample
The mass of Chlorine (

Chlorine Free(

)
Cl2

) =0.08mg/L

= 10ml/1000=0.01 L
Cl2

) = 0.08 mg/L0.01L
=810^4 mg

Cl2

The concentration of Chlorine (

Cl2

)=0.01mg/L
The volume of sample
The mass of Chlorine(

= 10ml/1000=0.01L
Cl2

) = 0.01

mg/L0.01L
=110^4 mg
Iron(Fe)

2
Sulfate ( SO 4 )

The concentration of Iron (Fe) =0.82mg/L

2
The concentration of Sulfate ( SO 4 ) =13mg/L
The volume of sample

= 10ml/1000=0.01 L

2
The mass of Sulfate ( SO 4 ) = 13 mg/L0.01L
=0.13mg
3
Phosphorus reactive( PO 4 )

3
The concentration of Phosphorus( PO 4 )
=0.08mg/L
The volume of sample

= 10ml/1000=0.01 L

3
The mass of Phosphorus PO 4 = 0.08
mg/L0.01L
=810^4 mg

The volume of sample

= 10ml/1000=0.01 L

The mass of Iron (Fe)

= 0.82 mg/L0.01L
=8.210^-3/mg

Discussion

Based on the results obtained, there are certain errors that might have occurred
leading to error in data. First and foremost, improper handling of the round water sample may
cause inaccurate readings. Any fingerprints or smudge imprinted on the outer
surface of the round water sample can become interference for the solutions
to absorb wavelengths of light in the spectrophotometer. Thus, the reading of
concentrations by the instruments may not be accurate.

Next, some of the samples are supposed to be immediately inserted into

the spectrophotometer after being poured in their corresponding reagents.
Thus, any careless procedures may lead to inaccuracy of the readings taken.

Last but not least, the reading for each sample is only done once due to lack of
instruments and long time consuming factors that made taking at least two readings for each
sample impossible. Therefore, an average value cannot be obtained to ensure the accuracy
and precision of the results.

Conclusion

Based on the experiments that have been carried out, we have determine the level of
the chlorine (total and free), iron, sulphates and phosphorous in a series of water samples.
The concentration of chlorine total calculated is 0.08 mg/L and its mass is 8x10 4 mg while
chlorine free concentration is 0.01 mg/L and its mass is 1x104 mg. Sulfate concentration is to
be calculated for 13 mg/L and its mass is 0.13mg. The value calculated does comply with the

Malaysian Water Standards which is lower than value stated. As for Iron (Fe), it has the
concentration of 0.82 mg/L and mass of 8.2x10-3 mg. This, however, does not comply with
Malaysian Water Standard which its maximum acceptable value is 0.3 mg/L. For
phosphorous reactive, the concentration for it is 0.08 mg/L and its mass is 8x104 mg.
Recommendations

In order to get the accurate result, the outside surface of the round water should be
wiped first before inserted into the spectrophotometer. This method use to ensure that there is
no fingerprints on it as spectrophotometer cannot read if it has any marks of it. This is why
the using of gloves in laboratory is important. Furthermore, the sample must be analyzed
immediately after collection and cannot be kept for later analysis as heavy metals contains in
the water sample might be differ from time to time. Lastly, the collection of the water sample
is preferentially near the middle of the water stream and at least at one arms length of depth.
This is because most heavy metals are bounded at inner depth of any water streams.
Reference

1. http://www.healthy-water-best-filters.com/heavy-metals-within-water.html
2. http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/quality-water-heavymeatal.htm
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorination

Appendix

DPD Total Chlorine Powder

Pillow

Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent

Phos Ver 3 Phosphate

Ferro Ver Iron Reagent

Powder Pillow

Powder

DPD Free Chlorine Powder

Pillow

Chroma Ver 3 Reagent Powder

Pillow