Rajasthan Technical University,Kota

M.Tech (I sem)
Environmental Lab
Experiment No. 8
Determination of Turbidity of given sample of
water.

Department of Civil Engineering

Rajasthan Technical University, Kota
OBJECT :To determine Turbidity of given sample of water.

APPARATUS :

1. The turbidity meter consists of a Nephelometer with a light source for eliminating the
sample and one or more photoelectric detector with a read-out device to indicate the
intensity of light scattered at 90 to the path of incident light.
2. The sample tubes are made of clear colorless glass. Keep tubes clean, both inside and
outside and discard when they become scratched. Fill tubes with samples and standards
that have been agitated thoroughly and allow sufficient time for bubbles to escape.

EXPLANATORY NOTE :

Turbidity in water is caused by suspended matter such as clay, silt, finely divided organic and
inorganic matter, soluble colored organic compounds, and plankton and other microscopic
organisms. Turbidity is an expression of the optical property that, causes light to be scattered and
absorbed rather than transmitted in straight lines through the sample. Correlation of turbidity
with weight concentration of suspended matter is difficult because the size, shape and refractive
index of the particulate also affect the light-scattering properties of the suspension.

SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION :

Determine turbidity on the day the sample is taken, preservation of sample is not practical. If
longer storage is unavoidable, store sample in the refrigerator at 4 C for upto 24 hrs. Don not
store for long periods because irreversible changes in turbidity may occur. Vigorously shake all
samples before examination.

The Nephelometric method of measurement is based on a comparison of the intensity of light

scattered by the sample under defined conditions with the intensity of light scattered by a
standard reference suspension. The higher the intensity of scattered light, the higher the
turbidity.Formazin polymer is used as the reference turbidity standard suspension.

Turbidity can be determined for any water sample that is free of debris and rapidly settling
sediments. Dirty glass wares, the presence of air bubbles, and the effect of vibrations will give
false results.

REAGENTS:

1. Dissolve 1.00 gmHydrzinsulphate in distilled water and dilute to 100 ml.

2. Dissolve 10.00 gm of hexamethylene tetra amine ( CH8)6 N4 in distilled water and dilute
to 100 ml.
 3. In a 100 ml volumetric flask, mix 5.0 ml solution I and 5.0 ml solution II. Let it stand for
24hrs. at 25+3 C, dilute to 100.0 ml and mix well. The turbidity of this suspension is 400
NTU.
4. Prepare solution and suspension monthly.
5. Dilute 10.0 ml solution III to 100.0 ml. The turbidity of this standard turbidity suspension
is 40 NTU. Prepare daily.

PROCEDURE :

1. Switch the instrument ON and allow it to warm for 10-15 minutes.

2. Set STANDARDIZE control to maximum.
3. Insert the test tube with distilled water into cell holder and cover the light shield.
4. Now with SET ZERO control adjust the meter indication to read zero.
5. The instrument is ready for test samples. Insert the test tubes containing unknown
samples in cell holder and note readings on meter in NTU. ( Align the test tubes as per
the marking on cell holder)

OBSERVATION TABLE :

Sample Temperature of Turbidity

No. sample ( C ) (NTU)
1.
2.
3.

CALCULATION :

1) For determining the turbidity of given water sample the readings are required to be
tabulated.

EE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS :

1. What level of turbidity is safe?

2. How is turbidity measured?
3. What is an NTU?
4. What can cause the turbidity level to go up?
5. Does Turbidity have a connection to suspension?
6. Why is turbidity important to aquatic plants and animals?
7. What is Turbidity?
8. What can cause Turbidity to increase in your area?
9. What is a safe level for drinking water?
10. What happens if you drink water with a NTU reading higher than safe?