Water quality method for chemistry - Lab Report Example

Water quality method for chemistry lab Introduction Determining the quality of water from various sources depicts whether the water from a specific source is suitable for human consumption or can support the life of aquatic plants plus animals. The experiment involves the collection of samples from the pond, and determining quantities of various parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nitrate levels, odor, turbidity, PH plus temperature. The results of these parameters depict the condition of water (Sturman & Kuruvilla 75). It is possible to perform a comparison of the results with the specific parameters in order to conclude whether the water sample meets desired qualities. Collection and testing of water quality is possible via utilization of a test kit, which has required reagents, equipments and tools for performing the experiment (Sturman & Kuruvilla 76). The purpose of the experiment was to understand how various reagents react with the water sample and then determine the condition of the water sample. In order to effectively perform measurements of the parameters, an understanding of test procedures and certain results is a requirement (Sturman & Kuruvilla 77). Certain parameters, such as color, required observation by a naked eye. The test for odor, required use of smell senses. Students conducted the tests using the Hatch kit which allows testing of various parameters because it consists of required procedures and reagents. For example, a reagent for reacting water in order to test for nitrate content is present in the kit. Students had to follow procedures provided in the test kit. Experiment The experiment entailed collection of a sample from the pond, and following procedures from the test kit. There was a handout consisting information about the test which the students had to adhere to. It indicated the procedures for performing the entire experiment including handling the results observations and drawing conclusions (Sturman & Kuruvilla 77). The materials used in the experiment included the surface water test kit. The kit was from Hach Company. While conducting the experiment, safety procedures were fundamental; since the water was hazardous, protective clothing such as globes was important (W.H.O 114). The test kit contains all materials required to perform the experiment, for example, reagents for testing chlorine content in water (Sturman & Kuruvilla 77). There are other materials such as test tubes to put the surface water before adding reagents to test for various parameters. With the help of a Grab sampler, collection of water samples was easy. After collecting the water sample, appearance evaluation was present to determine the color, turbidity and presence of organic materials. From the sample, odor was determinable via wafting. The amount of dissolved oxygen in water was determinable via adherence to procedures from the test kit (W.H.O 116). A PH meter from the test kit indicated the level of PH in the water sample. The recording of water temperature was possible by following the test kit directions. The nitrate test entailed additions of zinc sulfanilamide to the water sample and the results recorded. The Hach kit aided determination of ammonia plus chlorine by following instructions from the Kit. All the results from the tests were in records by all members of the group (Sturman & Kuruvilla 78). Data and observations Observation of the water sample indicated clarity with small amounts of suspended solids. The water was clear, meaning that there was no color observed from the sample. The water sample was odorless with no notable smell (W.H.O 114). Dissolved oxygen 27 mg/L PH 7.5 mg/L Temperature 26 mg/L Total phosphorus 0.08 mg/L Nitrate 0 mg/L Ammonia 0 mg/L Free chlorine 0.1 mg/L Total Chlorine 0.3 mg/L Combined chlorine 0.2 mg/L Turbidity 7.42 NTU The amount of dissolved oxygen was 27 mg/L, and the PH was 7.5 indicating that the surface water was basic. The temperature recorded was 26 degrees Celsius. Total phosphorus was 0.08 mg/L while ammonia and nitrate was zero. The values for free chlorine, total chlorine and combined chlorine were 0.1, 0.3 and 0.2 respectively (Sturman & Kuruvilla 79). Turbidity was 7.42 NTU. The water sample was highly cloudy with greater absorption of light. While performing a test for phosphorus, the intensity of the color observed indicates the amounts of the substance in water. This was possible by utilizing the test kit which contained desired reagents plus equipments (Sturman & Kuruvilla 79). Results and discussions From the results, it is apparent that the amounts of dissolved oxygen exceeded the normal amounts of 8mg/L to a higher amount of 27mg/L. This level of oxygen cannot support the life of fish because it does not fall between the specific levels of 4-5 mg/L required to maintain fish life (W.H.O 115). The pH of 7.5 is within the limits of 5.0-9.0 which can support the life of a fish. The amount of nitrate recorded from the experiment was zero (Sturman & Kuruvilla 78). This conforms to the requirement that, for a drinking water, levels of nitrate must be less than 0.1mg/L. However, this does not conclude that the water from the pond is safe for drinking. The amounts of ammonia were zero; hence the water was not impure. Amounts of ammonia gas exceeding 0.1 mg/L present toxicity in water hence harming humans and fish (W.H.O 117). The level of chlorine is beyond allowable quantities hence the water may not be safe. The quantity that can support fish is 0.01 mg/L. These levels are not safe for human consumption. The test of the sample indicated high turbidity of 7.42 NTU, which is above, the limits of 0.5 NTU for drinking water (Sturman & Kuruvilla 79). The water quality from the pond deteriorated because certain values exceeded desired levels for water quality. Dissolved oxygen, chlorine content plus turbidity, led to decreased quality. These conditions do not present safety meaning that it is not safe to drink this water (W.H.O 124). Conclusion It is evident from the tests that the surface water is not conducive for human use. This is because various parameters such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorine content plus phosphorus do not lie between the limits for safe water (W.H.O 114). Although the results indicate the sample as clear, odorless, and zero quantities of ammonia plus nitrate, the sample contained other unwanted characteristics. Works cited Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality: Volume 1. Geneva: W.H.O, 1993. Print. Sturman, Jeffrey & Kuruvilla Mathew. Water Auditing and Water Conservation. London: IWA Publishing, 2004. Print. Read More