ABSTRACT

This experiment is conducted using the HACH Basic water quality kit to examine the
characteristics of the water through chemical and physical test. The first experiment is to
determine the amount of carbon dioxide in sample and the second is to determine the amount of
dissolved oxygen in sample water by using 60 ml BOD bottle. Third experiment is to determine
the temperature and pH of sample water.
The experiment is started picking two samples of water there are swamp and paddy field
water. The first part of experiment is using 100ml of swamp and paddy field and titration
cartridge 0.3636N Sodium Hydroxide is set up. Then the two of the samples water is added with
Phenolphthalein Indicator Powder Pillow each. The sample is swirled to mix for a few second.
By using digital titrator the sample is titrate until the sample color change to a light pink color.
The number of digits displayed on the counter is recorded. The second part of the experiment the
both sample of water are filled in a clear 60ml BOD bottle. Then the bottle is added with
Dissolved Oxygen 1 Power Pillow and Dissolved Oxygen 2 Powder Pillow. The bottle is invert
for the several times to mix and a flocculent precipitate with orange-brown color. Dissolved
Oxygen 3 Powder Pillow is added and the mixture will turn to yellow color if oxygen is present.
The sample mixture is measure to 20ml into a 125ml Erlenmeyer flask. Then sample mixture is
titrating using 0.200 N Sodium Thiosulfate and the number of digits will be recorded. The pH
and the temperature of the sample is measure using Platinum Series Combination pH electrode
and Temperature.
The twos type of titrations are to obtained the amount of carbon dioxide and dissolved
oxygen in the sample water that are from swamp and paddy field. The result obtained is the
amount of carbon dioxide in swamp is higher than paddy field is 52
mg
( LCO
)
2

respectively. The dissolve oxygen is calculated to 6.8

mg
(
the swamp is 3.1 LO )
2

( LOmg )
2

mg
LCO 2

and 26

in paddy field and

. The dissolved oxygen show high at paddy field. Temperate in the

both experiment is recorded is the same at 24.2

to 24.4 . The pH value in experiment

1 is 6.58 in swamp and 6.23 in paddy field and for the experiment 2 is 7.80 in swamp and 6.35 in
paddy field.

Table of Contents

Abstract
Table of Content
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Theory
4.0 Description of Apparatus
5.0 Experimental Procedure
6.0 Results and Discussions

1
2
3
4
4
5
7
9

6.1 Results

6.2 Discussions
7.0 Sample Calculations
8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

10
12
12

8.1 Conclusions

12

8.2 Recommendations
9.0 References
10.0 Appendices

13
14
14

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Water rarely occurs in its pure form in nature [2]. It is found that water is commonly
carrying a variety of constituents. When water in its advanced form reaches the surface of the
Earth, it has already collected a number of substances and properties that characterize natural
water [2]. Some gases have been absorbed or dissolved. Dust particles have been picked up, and
it has achieved to certain temperature [2]. If a high radioactive washout, or sometimes high
acidity pickup, the atmospheric water may not even be clean in the general sense and may not be
suitable for usage. Atmospheric water will change further in quality, both, leading to reach the
surface of the Earth and during its travel underground [3]. The ability to dissolve salts is gained
where carbon dioxide is released by bacterial action on organic matter. The water becomes
charged with carbon dioxide resulting in production of carbonic acid [3].

There is a great range of water quality parameters that can be used to characterize waters. In
respect to its suitability for certain purposes, water quality is to describe the chemical, physical
and biological characteristic of water. Chemically, water quality tests are to measure the amount
of carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, hardness and organic matter. While physically, tests are
done to study the turbidity, colour, odour, pH and temperature of the water. Some experiments
are conducted to examine the characteristic of water through chemical and physical tests [1].

2.0 OBJECTIVES
Generally, the experiments conducted are to study the characteristics of water through
chemical test and physical test using the HACH Basic Water Quality kit. The first experiment is
carried out to determine the amount of carbon dioxide in sample water. The second experiment is
proceeded to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in sample water using 60 mL BOD bottle.
3.0 THEORY
Carbon Dioxide is present in water in the form of a dissolved gas. Surface waters
normally contain less free carbon dioxide, while some ground waters may easily have higher
concentration. Carbon dioxide is readily soluble in water. Over the ordinary temperature range
the solubility is about 200 times that of oxygen [3]. Aquatic plant life depends upon carbon
dioxide and bicarbonates in water for growth. Microscopic plant life suspended in the water,
phytoplankton, as well as large rooted plants, utilizes carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis of
plant materials [4]. The carbon in these materials comes from the carbon dioxide in water. When
the oxygen concentration in waters containing organic matter is reduced, the carbon dioxide
concentration rises.
By digital titration of sodium hydroxide and an aid of phenolphthalein indicator, the
amount of carbon dioxide can be calculated referred to the table below.
Range (mg/L as CO2)

Sample volume (mL)

10-50
200
20-100
100
100-400
200
200-1000
100
Table 1: Range specific Information

Titration cartridge (N
NaOH)
0.3636
0.3636
3.636
3.636

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

4

Multiplier
0.1
0.2
1
2

To measure the amount of dissolved oxygen, a test of Wrinkler method by Azide

modification is carried out. The Winkler method involves filling a sample bottle completely with
water which is no air is left to bias the test [4]. The dissolved oxygen is then fixed using a
reagent that forms an acid compound that is titrated. Titration involves the drop-by-drop addition
of a reagent that neutralizes the acid compound and causes a change in the color of the solution.
The point at which the color changes is the endpoint and is equivalent to the amount of oxygen
dissolved in the sample. The sample is usually fixed and titrated in the field at the sample site
[4].
By digital titration of sodium thiosulfate titration cartridge and an aid of dissolved
oxygen reagents, the amount of dissolve oxygen can be computed by the equation below.
Concentration of the O2 in sample water using 60 mL BOD bottle (mg/L O2)
= digits required x 0.1.
4.0 DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS
In basic water quality experiment which consists of carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen
tests, few specific apparatus were used. For experiment 1 which were water sample was tested
whether there was carbon dioxide or not. The apparatus used were digital titrator, delivery tube
for digital titrator, erlenmeyer flask of 125 mL and 250 mL of volume. While for experiment 2,
for dissolved oxygen test, the apparatus used were same as in experiment 1 but with addition of
two apparatus which were cylinder of 250 mL volume and 60 mL of BOD bottle with stopper.
Next for experiment 3, the apparatus used was portable meter connected to electrode and
thermometer.

In this experiment, the 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
alkali 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. Next, for
experiment 2, the 60 mL BOD bottle was used to store the sample water and to avoid dissolved
oxygen from exposed and escape to the atmosphere. 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. While the last part was the
portable meter used to show the pH value and degree of temperature of the water samples.

Figure 1: Diagram of apparatus used for carbon dioxide and dissolve oxygen test in
basic water quality experiment.

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

6

Experiment 1: Carbon Dioxide Test by Digital Titrator Method using Sodium Hydroxide.
1.
2.

Sample volume and titration cartridge was chosen from table 1.

A clean delivery tube was inserted into the titration cartridge which then attached to

3.

the titrator.
The delivery knob was turned to eject the air and few drops of titrant and then the

4.

counter was reset to zero with the tip was wiped.

The water sample was directly collected in the erlenmeyer flask with amount of

5.

volume according to volume selected in table 1.

Phenolphthalein indicator powder pillowwas added to the water sample and was
swirled gently to mix both materials. The colour of the solution was observed and if

6.

pink colour was formed, the solution contains no carbon dioxide.

The delivery tube was placed into the solution and the flask was swirled. The titrant
was added to the solution when the knob on the titrator was turned on until the
solution changed colour from original colour to light pink colour which then persists

7.

about 30 seconds.
Once the solution turned light pink, the digit that displayed by the digital titrator was
recorded. Then concentration of carbon dioxide, CO 2in water samplewas calculated

8.

by multiply the digits with multiplier in table 1.

After calculation was done, the concentration of carbon dioxide, CO 2 should fall on
the range selected. If yes, repeat steps 4 to 7 for other water sample. If not, the
experiment should be repeated with using other sample volume and titration cartridge
in table 1.

Experiment 2: Dissolved Oxygen Test by Azide Modification of Wrinkler Method.

1.

A water sample was collected in a clean 60 mL of BOD bottle. The sample was
allowed to overflow the bottle for about 2 to 3 minutes to ensure no air bubbles were
trapped.
7

2.

One dissolved oxygen 1 powder pillow and one dissolved oxygen 2 powder pillow

3.

was added into the water sample in the BOD bottle.

Immediately and after assured that there are no trapping air, the stopper was inserted.
The bottle was inverted for several times to mix the materials and a flocculent
precipitate was formed. If oxygen was present, the colour is to orange-brown, if

4.

oxygen was absent, the colour is white.

The flocs were allowed to settle for about 5 minutes and the bottle was inverted again
for several times. After a while the flocs settled and the top half of the solution was

5.

cleared. This to ensure the reagent was completely reacted with the sample.
The stopper was removed and the sample was added with one dissolved oxygen 3
powder pillow. Without trapping the air, the stopper was inserted. Then, the bottle
was inverted for few times to ensure the mixture was mixed. The solution turned

6.

yellow colour if there was oxygen present and the flocs dissolved.
The prepared sample was measured 20 mL by using a cylinder and then was

7.

transferred to a 125 mL erlenmeyer flask.

A clean delivery tube was inserted to a 0.2000 N of sodium thiosulphate titration

8.

cartridge which attached to the digital titrator.

The delivery knob was turned to eject few drops of titrant and then the counter was

9.

reset to zero with the tip was wiped.

The prepared solution was titrated with 0.2000 N of sodium thiosulphate until the
sample changed colour from yellow to colourless and the digit number appeared on

10.

digital titrator was recorded.

The amount of dissolved oxygen content in the water sample was calculated by

11.

multiply the digit with 0.1.

The steps from 1 to 10 were repeated for the other source of water.

Experiment 3: pH and Temperature of the sample water

1.

The samples of water in experiment 1 and experiment 2 was 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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

6.1 RESULTS
Table 1: Results of Carbon Dioxide in water sample
Sample water
Range (mg/L as CO2)
Sample volume (mL)
Titration cartridge (N NaOH)
Multiplier
Digit
Concentration of CO2
Temperature
pH
Final observation

Swamp

Paddy field

20-100
20-100
100
100
0.3636
0.3636
0.2
0.2
260
130
52
26
24.2
24.3
6.58
6.23
Color changed from colorless Color changed from colorless
to light pink
to light pink

Table 2: Results of Dissolved Oxygen in water sample

Sample water
Range
Sample volume (mL)
Titration cartridge (Na2S2O3)
Multiplier
Digit
Concentration of DO
Temperature
pH
Final observation

Swamp

Paddy field

3.1
20
0.2
0.1
31
3.1
24.4
7.80
Color changed from yellow to
colorless

6.8
20
0.2
0.1
68
6.8
24.2
6.35
Color changed from yellow to
colorless

6.2 DISCUSSIONS

Test of sample water for carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen is quite important to
environment. The reason why test of sample water for dissolved oxygen being conducted is to
measure the waters ability to support the plants and animals. Measuring the carbon dioxide in
water is very much important to the aquaculture. When the carbon dioxide levels are relatively
high, this is going to have an effect on the fish health.
Carbon dioxide came from almost living organisms. Humans exhale carbon dioxide every
time breathing. Even organisms without lungs or gills release carbon dioxide into the
environment that includes the insects, plants, bacteria and etc. Most of the plants give off carbon
dioxide at night. Aquatic organisms release carbon dioxide into the water. Some might popped
out to the surface and some might dissolved in water because carbon dioxide is readily dissolved
in water. However, most of the carbon dioxide found in water is produced by the organisms,
bacteria mostly, on decomposition of dead material. While for oxygen, the atmosphere itself
provides the oxygen. Oxygen mixes with water due to the movements of the water. Some aquatic
plants and algae that went through photosynthesis also provide oxygen to the water.
Comparing these both two water samples, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
swamp water is higher than paddy field. That means the swamp water is more contaminated and
polluted because of the higher concentration. It indicates that there is lot of dead materials
undergoing decomposition in the swamp. Dead materials release more carbon dioxide in the
water during decomposition.
The value of dissolved oxygen concentration in paddy field is higher compared to
swamp. If the dissolved oxygen is lesser that means the aquatic plants has taken lots of oxygen
during the respiration and resulting in increase of the carbon dioxide level. During the

10

respiration, aquatic plants tend to absorb oxygen and release more carbon dioxide which occurs
at nights. In that case, the fish might feel the impact and can cause major impact in the diversity
of aquatic organisms.
Difference in temperature and pH of water sample gives effects to the living organisms in
the water. During daylight, the level of carbon dioxide concentration is lower but becomes higher
at night time. This is due to the process of photosynthesis by the aquatic plants.Changes in pH
value of water are important to many organisms. Most organisms have adapted to life in water of
a specific pH and may die if it changes even slightly. Extremely high or low pH values, the water
becomes unsuitable for living organisms. However, temperature has a very slightly effect on the
pH value of the water. As the temperature of water goes up, the pH value goes down. The reason
why this is happening is because, as temperature increases, water molecules have the tendency to
break down into their constituents releasing more hydrogen ions which then decreases the value
of the water.
7.0 SAMPLE OF CALCULATION
Calculation of the amount of carbon dioxide in sample water:

Concentarion of CO 2 sample water

mg
( LCO
)=digits multiplier
2

Since using 0.3636N NaOH and 100ml of sample volume the multiplier is 0.2.

260 0.2=52

( LmgCO )
2

11

Calculation of the amount of dissolved oxygen in 60 mL BOD bottle:

Concentarion of CO 2 sample water

( LOmg )=digits multiplier

2

The multiplier is equal 0.1 because using 60 ml BOD bottle.

68 0.1=6.8

( LOmg )
2

8.1 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

8.2 CONCLUSIONS
In conclusions the amount of the carbon dioxide, the dissolved oxygen, the
temperature and pH value of the sample is obtained by using the procedure give. The amount of
the carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen is represented by calculate the digital titrator with
formula give is the lab manual and Table 1 and Table 2. 100mL of sample water from swamps
and paddy field is used to determine the amount of carbon dioxide. The calculation shows that

the concentration of

mg
LCO 2

CO2

of swamp is higher than paddy field which is 52

mg
( LCO
)
2

and 26

respectively. For the second experiment, 20mL of swamp and paddy field with

added Dissolved Oxygen 1,2 and 3 is titrate using 0.200 N Sodium Thiosulfate. The number of
digits obtained from digital titrator is calculated using formula at Table.2. The result show that

12

dissolved oxygen in paddy field is 6.8

( LOmg )
2

and the swamp is 3.1

( LOmg )
2

. It shows that

the dissolved oxygen is high at paddy filed water sample than swamp. The temperature of the
sample is determined using digital pH value and temperature meter. The temperature of swamp is
24.2 with pH value is 6.58 and temperature of paddy field is 24.3 with pH 6.23 in the amount of
carbon dioxide experiment. For the second experiment the temperature of swamp and paddy field
is 24.4 and 24.2 respectively and pH values is 7.80 and 6.35 respectively.
8.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
The water sample must be sure take just a few hours before the experiment begin to
ensure that no changing occur in the increasing or decreasing of carbon dioxide and dissolved
water due to the microorganism respiration. The water sample must be keep in a dark place to
prevent any photosynthesis occur at the microorganism so that it will maintained the amount of
carbon dioxide in water. The experiment must be repeated twice to get result accurately and
make sure that the color change of lightest pink in experiment 1 is obtained and the fist changes
of color from yellow to colorless is obtain in experiment 2. In addition the sample bottle must be
sealed tightly to ensure that no change is oxygen and carbon dioxide contain in water. The
electrode of the digital temperature and pH value meter must be cleaned from any dirt to prevent
of other reaction that can affect the result of the experiment.
9.0 REFERENCES
1.

Chemical Engineering Laboratory (CHE 331) Manual, UiTM Faculty of Chemical

2.

Engineering, June-October 2013.

John. Cairns, Biological Methods for the Assessment of Water Quality, American
Society for Testing and Materials, Los Angeles: 1973.
13

3.

Fabrizio Cavani, Gabriele Centi, Siglinda Perathoner, Ferruccio Trifir,

Sustainable Industrial Chemistry, Wiley Publication, Germany: 2009.

4.

Michael L. Hitchman, Measurement Of Dissolved Oxygen, John Wiley

& Sons, Canada: 1978.

10.0 APPENDICES

14