OBJECTIVE :

To determine the acidity of given water /waste water sample.

THEORY:
Acidity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralise bases. Acidity is the
sum of all titrable acid present in the water sample. Strong mineral acids, weak
acids such as carbonic acid, acetic acid present in the water sample contributes to
acidity of the water. Usually dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major acidic
component present in the unpolluted surface waters.
The volume of standard alkali required to titrate a specific volume of the sample
to pH 8.3 is called phenolphthalein acidity (Total Acidity).
The volume of standard alkali required to titrate a specific volume of the water
sample (wastewater and highly polluted water) to pH 3.7 is called methyl orange
acidity (Mineral Acidity).

Principal:
Hydrogen ions present in a sample as a result of dissociation or hydrolysis of
solutes reacts with additions of standard alkali ( NaOH ). Acidity thus depends
on end point of the indicator used.
The colour change of phenolphthalein indicator is close to pH 8.3 at 25C
corresponds to stoichiometric neutralisation of carbonic acid to bicarbonate.

DIAGRAM:-

ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE:
1. Acidity interferes in the treatment of water. Carbon dioxide is of important
considerations in determining whether removal by aeration or simple
neutralisation with lime /lime soda ash or NaOH will be chosen as the water
treatment method.

2. The size of the equipment , chemical requirements, storage spaces and cost of
the treatment all depends on the carbon dioxide present.
3. Aquatic life is affected by high water acidity. The organisms present are prone
to death with low pH of water.
4. High acidity water is not used for construction purposes. Especially in
reinforced concrete construction due to the corrosive nature of high acidity
water.
5. Water containing mineral acidity is not fit for drinking purposes.
6. Industrial wastewaters containing high mineral acidity is must be neutralized
before they are subjected to biological treatment or direct discharge to water
sources.

APPARATUS REQUIRED :
S.NO.

Apparatus

Quantit
y

Burette (25 ml)

1 No.

Pipette (20 ml)

1 No.

Volumetric flask (250 ml)

1 No.

Conical flask (250 ml)

1 No.

Beaker (100 ml)

2 Nos.

Burette stand

1 no.

REAGENTS REQUIRED:S.No.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Reagent
Sodium carbonate (for primary standard)
Sulphuric acid (.02 N)
Phenolphthalein indicator
Methyl orange indicator

STEPWISE PROCEDURE: Prepare a 0.02 N NaOH solution and standardize it against

standard .02 N H2SO4 .
Dilute appropriate times to obtain a NaOH solution of .02 N.
Take 20 ml of a sample in a conical flask and add 2- 3drops of
methyl orange indicator.
If orange color develops , titrate it against .02 N NaOH till it faints
and note the vol. Of .02 N NaOH required.
Now add 2-3 drops phenolphthalein to the same flask and continue
titration till orange colour change to faint pink , again note vol. of
NaOH required.

CALCULATIONS

Volume of NaOH for mineral acidity(V1) : 2.3 ml

Volume of NaOH for total alkalinity (V1+V2): 5.3 ml
Normality of NaOH : 0.02N
Volume of Sample : 20 ml
Equivalent weight of CaCO3 :50
Mineral Acidity :
(Volume of NaOH (V1)*.02*50*1000)/Volume of sample taken(20ml)
= 115 mg/l as CaCO3 equivilant
Total Acidity : (Volume of NaOH (V1+V2)*.02*50*1000)/Volume of sample
taken(20ml)
=265 mg/l as CaCO3 equivilant

OBSERVATION TABLE :Physical observation of given sample.

S.No.

Particulars

Observatio
n

1.

Appearance

2.
3.

Colour
Odour

4.

Temperature

Details of Measurement :S.No.

1.

Particulars

Volume of water sample taken ml.

Quantity

OBSERVATION :A) For first titration :

. water in conical flask
. H2SO4 in burette.
. indicator Methyl Orange.
TABLE FOR TITRATION :S.No.

Amount
sample

of Burette reading
Initial , mL

Final , mL

taken, ml

Amount of Concordant
.02

N Valueon

H2SO4

used ,mL

used, ml

02

H2SO4

B) For second titration:

.

solution of previous titration in conical flask.

. H2SO4 in burette .
. phenolphthalein as indicator .

Table for titration:

S.No

Amount

Burette reading

Amount

Concordan

of sample Initial

Final

of .02 N t

taken, ml

(mL)

H2SO4

(mL)

Value on .

used ,mL 02 N H2SO4

used, ml

CALCULATION:-

RESULT :Acidity of given water sample :

PRECAUTIONS:1)
2)
3)
4)

Wash the whole apparatus thoroughly before and after taking every
reading.
There should be no air bubble in the pipette.
Titration should be carried out drop-wise with proper mixing.
Note the reading of burette by lower meniscus.

REFERENCE:1. Mathur, R. P., Water and Wastewater Testing (Laboratory Manual), 4 th ed., Nemchand
and Brothers, Roorkee , 2005.
2. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, 4 th ed., Tata
McGraw Hill, New Delhi, 2003.