Environmental Chemistry (ENE-213)

Course Instructor: Dr. Sofia Baig

Lab Report-03

Measurement of Turbidity of water samples

Submitted To: Engr. Muhammad Irfan

Submitted By: Group-01

Arafat Abdullah Rehman
Faras Ahmad Shahbaz
Muhammad Momin
Haniya Zainab Siddique

National University of Sciences &Technology (NUST)

School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (SCEE)
Institute of Environmental Sciences & Engineering (IESE)

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Table of Contents
Title............................................................................................................................................ 3
Objective ................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory: ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Principle: ................................................................................................................................... 3
Environmental Significance .................................................................................................... 4
Apparatus &Chemicals used .................................................................................................. 4
Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 4
Precautions: .............................................................................................................................. 5
Observations & Calculations: ................................................................................................. 5
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 5
References ................................................................................................................................. 5

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Title: Measurement of Turbidity of Water samples by Nephlometric Method

Objective:

The main objective of this experiment is to get an understanding of how to measure

turbidity of water samples. To learn the basic concepts regarding physical parameters of
drinking water & to get knowledge about the environmental significance of turbidity. We
will also be able to present the turbidity data after performing this experiment.

Theory:

Turbidity is a measure of water clarity in streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Turbidity
describes the amount of light scattered or blocked by suspended particles in a water sample.
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid due to large numbers of individual
particles. Formazin suspensions are used as primary reference standard. The major sources
of turbidity are; clay and silt, fine organic and inorganic matter, soluble colored organic
compounds, algae, and other microscopic organisms. Turbidity mostly occurs in the surface
water. Human-caused sources include substances in storm water from urban areas (e.g. roads,
parking lots), upland industrial activities, construction and land clearing, and activities
occurring directly in water bodies such as power boat use and vehicle use. To test the water
quality, measurement of turbidity is necessary. The most commonly used unit to measure
turbidity is NTU (Nephlometric Turbidity Unit). Other units to measure turbidity are
Turbidity unit mg/L (ppm) & Jackson Turbidity Unit (JTU).

There is no relationship between Turbidity and TSS in untreated wastewater. However, there
is some relationship between Turbidity and Total Suspended Solid (TSS) for activated sludge
process effluents is as under;

TSS (mg/L) = TSS f x Turbidity (NTU)

Where TSS f = (TSS (mg/L)) / (Turbidity)

The instrument that is used in lab for measuring is called nephelometer or turbidimeter,
which actually measures the intensity of light scattered at 90 degree angle as a beam of light
passes through a water sample. The turbidity of water should be less than 1 NTU for
disinfection purposes & daily life drinking water should have turbidity less than 5 NTU.

Principle:

The process & technique is based on comparison of intensity of light scattered by the sample,
with the intensity of light scattered by standard reference suspension. As intensity of
scattered light is directly proportional to turbidity so greater the intensity of scattered light,
the larger will be the value of turbidity.

Scattering of the light by the suspended particles is measured at an angle of 90°. A 90° degree
detection angle is often referred to as the most common detection angle because of its
sensitivity to a broad range of particle sizes. This measurement principle for the
experiment of turbidity measurement is known as nephelometry.

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Environmental Significance:

As a student of environmental engineering, we need to know about the environmental aspects

of every experiment which we are doing in lab;

1. High turbidity can significantly reduce the aesthetic quality of lakes and streams.
2. Can increase the cost of water treatment for drinking and food processing.
3. Harms fish & other aquatic life by reducing their food supplies in water bodies.
4. Water turbidity can cause staining of sinks and fixtures, and the discoloration
oflaundered fabrics.
5. Deposit in the plumbing system and cause erosion of the pipes and fittings.
6. Solid particles in water can reduce the effectiveness of chlorination process.
7. Filtration of turbid water in water treatment becomes more difficult and expensive.
8. Support the growth of pathogenic microorganisms due to presence of particles.
9. Efficiency of coagulation and flocculation processes reduces.

Apparatus & Chemicals used:

Equipment we used in performing this lab are as under;

1. Turbidimeter
2. Formazin as a primary standard to calibrate the nephelometer
3. Container to collect the samples
4. Tissue papers
5. Quartz Bottle
6. Distilled & Tap water
7. Sample (Turbid water)

Procedure:

This experiment was held in these following three steps to measure turbidity of water
samples;

(i) Collect the sample in clean container. Fill the sample cell to the line, taking care to
handle the sample cell only by the top.
(ii) Cover the sample by using cap. Wipe the cell with soft tissue paper to remove
water spot and fingerprints, then switch the instrument on. Invert the sample cell
2-3 times.
(iii) Place the sample cell in the instrument cell compartment right in front of arrow sign
marked on the device/instrument. Close the lid and record the readings of water
samples by following these steps.
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Precautions:

Turbidity tubes/bottles should not be used to measure less than 5 NTU. Wear gloves when
taking measurements in the field or in lab. This prevents fingerprints or other smudges
fromlanding on the vial surface and producing inaccurate readings. Wearing of lab
coats, masks & closed shoes is necessary while performing experiment. Avoid the mixing of
any type of solutions especially addition water to the acids, as it would be hazardous.

Observations & Calculations:

No of Obs. Water Samples Turbidity (NTU)

1. Tap water 0.47
2. Distilled water 0.76
3. Turbid water 995
4. Nust hostel drinking water 0.66

Conclusion:

As we have calculated the turbidity of different water samples, we come to know that the
turbid water has the highest turbidity (almost 1000 times as compared to other water
samples). This is due to the fact that there is a dense presence of particles in turbid water
sample, which in turn causing the maximum scattering of light being detected by the
detector located at 90 degree angle. Tap water has the lowest turbidity.

References:

https://dec.alaska.gov/media/11018/attachment-f-faq-turbidity-in-surface-waters-110813.pdf

https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/turbidity-information-200217.pdf

https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwqvol32ed.pdf

https://dec.alaska.gov/media/11018/attachment-f-faq-turbidity-in-surface-waters-110813.pdf