COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA

Posada Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City

Experiment Number 2
pH

EnSE2
Fridays, 10:00am-7:00pm

Date of Experiment: 13 October 2023

Date of Submission: 20 October 2023

Course Title: Environmental Analytical Chemistry (Laboratory)

Course Code: EnSE2101

Student Info:
Name: SAMARITA, Brainjosh L.
Student Number: 20221080232
Program & Year: Environmental and Sanitary Engineering - 2

Professor: Engr. Ruel Garza

 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Theoretical Background

The pH of water is crucial for determining the solubility and biological availability
of nutrients and heavy metals in water, as well as the corrosivity. The ability of aquatic life to
utilize the environment is also determined by measuring pH in water. One of the most
prominent uses for pH measuring is the treatment of potable water and wastewater. Water
near the lower end of the pH range can corrode pipes and faucets, allowing harmful chemicals
to enter the water supply. pH is used to measure the basicity and acidity of a solution. The
amount of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution determines its pH.

The water and wastewater utilized throughout the production process need to be
treated in almost every business. pH is one of the most important controlling factors for
treatment and chemical analysis of water and wastewater. Treatment of potable water and
wastewater is one of the most common applications where pH measurement is used. Water at
the lower end of the pH scale can degrade pipes and taps, allowing toxic materials to seep into
the water supply. If the pH level is too high, it can cause an unpleasant taste. pH levels must be
kept under control during wastewater treatment to create the ideal environment for the
necessary chemical or microbiological reactions and to ensure that the process runs efficiently.

It is necessary to maintain the pH of water nearly at 7 because as extremely high or low

pH values can be damaging to the use of water. Water with a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal
for maintaining good health. If levels continue to rise above a pH level of 10.0, aquatic
organisms will die from ammonia poisoning. Low pH levels in seawater cause ocean
acidification due to the reduction in calcium carbonate solubility, which corals rely on to grow
their calcium carbonate skeleton. In terms of human health, higher pH doesn’t pose any health
risks, however, when the pH in drinking water is greater than 8.5, it can make the water taste
more bitter and contact with high-pH water can cause skin irritation. Alkaline drinking water
also may neutralize acid in your bloodstream. However, some people claim that alkaline water
can help prevent cancer and heart disease, yet more research is needed to back these claims. A
pH of 7 is neutral.

A change of one unit on the pH scale reflects ten times increase in hydrogen ion
concentration, while a change of two units represents a change in the concentration of
hydrogen ions by a factor of 100. The higher the hydrogen ion concentration is, the lower the
pH of the solution. Thus, the relationship of hydroxide ion concentration and pH is in a neutral
solution the hydrogen ion and the hydroxyl ion concentrations are equal, and each is equal to
10−7. The effectiveness of determining pH is obviously vital, but evaluating the data provided is
also an important part of the sensing process.
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Procedure

To start this experiment, make sure that the pH meter is calibrated. Prepare all the
things needed and observe always the cleanliness. But since the pH meter is already calibrated,
wait for the instructor or professor signal to start. If it is prompt to proceed, turn the pH meter
on and allow the instrument to warm up. Select the pH mode and set the temperature at 25 °C.
If not familiar with the buttons to operate, ask for assistance. Then, remove the protective cup
properly from the electrode. Cup an immerse storage of solution prevent the electrode from
drying out. Now start measuring the first sample chosen by placing the electrode in the sample
to be tested. Determine the sample's temperature and record the temperature in the Data
section. Adjust the meter's temperature compensation dial if necessary. The pH of the solution
appears in the display. Do not forget to record the source of your sample water in the data
section or PDS. NOTE: Allow the display to stabilize before taking your reading! After that,
remove the electrode from the storage solution, rinse the electrode with distilled water and
carefully blot the electrode. Dry with a high-quality laboratory tissue. Moving on, repeat the
step carefully for other sample until all the samples given are all measured. Lastly, rinse the pH
electrode(s) by pacing it in tap water or pH 7.0 buffer solution for storage and shut off the
meter then place it back in the storage solution.

Set Up/Materials

Measuring the pH of the sample.

 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Apparatus Uses Picture

Calibrated pH
Meter
pH meter is
(Stationary pH
Meter) used to
determine the
acidity or
basicity of a
solution.
pH meter is
used to
determine the
acidity or
basicity of a
solution.
- pH meter is used to determine the
acidity or basicity of a solution.
Stationary pH meter parts are
electrode holding arm, electrode,
screen display, and the buttons
(keypad).
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Buffers (with - this is used to calibrated the pH

fixed pH) meter. A buffer is a solution that is
resistant to changes in pH caused
by the addition of acidic or basic
components. It can neutralize little
amounts of additional acid or base,
allowing the pH of the solution to
remain reasonably steady.

Distilled Water - used for rinsing the electrode and

other apparatus.

Beaker - it serves as a catch container when

the electrode is cleaned after being
applied to the previous sample
prior to testing the next sample.

Note: PPE and cleaning materials is needed. Mostly the samples taken such as tap mixed 25 ml
of both tap water and Pasig River water, Pasig River water, tap water, and pH9 drinking water.

Preliminary Data Sheet (Experiment 2: pH)

pH Reading pH
SOURCE OF
SAMPLE Average
1 2 3 Reading
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

25ml/25ml ( Tap
water & Pasig River 10.09 10.15 10.19 10.14
sample)

Pasig river 7.20 7.19 7.21 7.20

Tap water 6.62 6.60 6.56 6.59
pH 9 ( Drinking
water) 8.80 8.86 8.89 8.85

Computations

A. 25ml/25ml (Tap water & Pasig River sample)

Trial 1 = 10.09pH
Trial 2 = 10.15pH
Trial 3 = 10.19pH
Average Reading = (
10.09+10.15+10.19
3
=10.1 4)
B. Pasig River
Trial 1 = 7.20pH
Trial 2 = 7.19pH
Trial 3 = 7.21pH
Average Reading = ( 7.20+7.19+7.21
3 )=7.20
C. Tap Water
Trial 1 = 6.62pH
Trial 2 = 6.60pH
Trial 3 = 6.56pH
Average Reading = ( 6.62+6.60+6.56
3 )=6.59
D. pH 9 (Drinking Water)
Trial 1 = 8.80pH
Trial 2 = 8.86pH
Trial 3 = 8.89pH
Average Reading = (
8.80+8.86+ 8.85
3
=8.89 )
Interpretation (Analysis, Conclusion, and Sources of Error)
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Analysis

pH Scale
Description of pH Scale: Range goes from 0 - 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs less than 7 are acidic
while pHs greater than 7 are alkaline (basic).

A. 25ml/25ml (Tap water & Pasig River sample)

Based from the result collected from pH of: trial1 (10.09), trial2 (10.15),
trial3 (10.19), and the average reading (10.14), the Potential Hydrogen or the
pH is greater than 7 that indicated it is base (alkaline). Mixing the two sample
will be never produce a good drinking sample.

B. Pasig River
Same to the first sample, this sample did not reach the standard pH. The
pH of: average reading (7.20) and the first trial got the same pH reading that
is greater than 7, as well as to pH of trial2 (7.19) and pH of trial3 (7.19),
which means that the pH is base/basic (alkaline) base from the pH scale.

C. Tap Water
From the data section (PDS), it shows that this sample pH is less than 7
that clearly tell that this is acidic. pH results are trial1 (6.62), trial2 (6.60),
trial3 (6.56), and the average reading (6.59).

D. pH9 (Drinking water)

First of all, the pH of: trial1 (8.80), trial2 (8.86), trial3 (8.89), and the
average reading (8.85) are nearly to the said pH of the said sample (pH9).
This sample is base/basic (alkaline). This may be considered alkaline drinking
water.

Conclusion and Source of Error

Measuring the quality of both influent and effluent water is an essential

element in determining the efficiency of each process, maintaining overall quality and
ensuring that processes meet the strict regulatory standards governing them. The pH of
water is a critical conventional variable of water quality because extremely high or low
pH values can be harmful to water consumption.
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Water is frequently disinfected with chlorine to enhance water quality. Because

the effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant decrease as pH levels rise, more chlorine is
required to enhance water quality. Moreover, measuring pH in water also determines
whether aquatic life can utilize the environment. Carbon dioxide is the most common
cause of acidity in water.
In conclusion, accurate measurement is vital to ensure regulatory compliance
and end product quality. pH is typically measured using a pH meter and has a unit of pH.
So, this is one of the simplest tests performed in the water and wastewater laboratory.
An acidic solution has a pH under 7, while a basic solution has a pH over 7. In addition,
the precision and accuracy of pH measurement depends on the type and condition of
the instrument and on the care used in calibration and operation. As pH increases, the
concentration of free protons drops further and further. Therefore, there is no
correlation between pH and turbidity. It demonstrates that in the treatment of more
alkaline solutions, pH is not a direct indicator of turbidity. pH is an important factor to
consider when assessing the quality of water. Having a knowledge in measuring a pH
may use to attest in the future purposes of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering
students.
Varying sample temperature is one of the most common causes of pH
measurement errors. Also, stirring the samples too much. Other than that, the common
source of error is using the pH meter that is not calibrated and human error such in
taking data and carelessness in performing the experiment.

Recommendation
It is always advisable to check or calibrated a pH meter before using it. You should make
sure the sample is clean and well-mixed in order to obtain an accurate pH value. In either
situation, stirring is done to make sure the sample is thoroughly mixed and the pH reading is
accurate for the entire sample. Avoid aggressive stirring because doing so will cause carbon
dioxide to enter the water, creating carbonic acid and reducing pH levels.

References

How does pH affect water quality? | Atlas Scientific. (2022, November 10). Atlas
Scientific. https://atlas-scientific.com/blog/how-does-ph-affect-water-quality/

pH of Water - Environmental Measurement Systems. (2019, January 23). Environmental

Measurement Systems.
 COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA
Posadas Avenue, Sucat, Muntinlupa City
EnSE2111: Environmental and Sanitary Chemistry (LABORATORY)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2023 - 2024

https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/
ph/

Bio-Rad Laboratories. (2012, October 16). Using a pH meter [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwY-xWMam7o