Determination Of Nitrate Ion In Treated Wastewater Effluent - Lab Report Example

Determination of Nitrate Ion in a Treated Wastewater Effluent Errors in experiments influences the expected results thus causes changes in values of the data obtained at the end of the study. Most errors especially in the laboratory set up, arise from mistakes in measurements. A laboratory consists of various equipments which, when used improperly result to errors. Some of the errors in experiments are difficult to avoid thus experimenters consider them as uncertainties. In the experiment, the process of determining the concentration of nitrate in wastewater consists of lab equipments and apparatus, which will result to errors if not used properly (Stanton 7).

The possible causes of errors may result from wrong or inaccurate readings made in the spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer is in use to measure the intensity of red color produced when nitrite reacts with the acid, sulfanilic and N- naphthylethylenediamine. The lack of calibration of the equipment causes errors in results. The equipment may record a reading higher or below the one expected. Errors result from measurements done by using flasks and pipettes. When experimenters fail to monitor the readings properly, the final value of concentration will be affected.

For example, observers of volumetric readings should look at the lower meniscus to prevent these errors. Such errors will affect dilution and dissolving of solids in solutions (Woody 12). The final concentration value will deviate from the actual one. In the experiment, it is significant to enhance color development by adding a known quantity of Naphthylethylenediamine dichloride to samples. A measured amount of sodium acetate solution added also to enhance color development. Such measurements conducted improperly will affect the final value because the color will not develop sufficiently to indicate the required reading in the spectrometer.

The quantity of nitrate nitrogen in a sample of wastewater determines the quality of water for drinking. From calculations, the concentration of nitrate is 1.297 mg/L below 10 mg/L thus the water is safe for drinking (Woody 13). Works cited Stanton, Lin Zhu & Charles, Atwood. Experiments in General Chemistry Featuring Measurenet: Guided Inquiry, Self-Directored, and Capstone. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. 2010. Print. Woody, Andrea. Philosophy of Chemistry and Pharmacology. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 2008. Print.