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Water Analysis

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Priya Kumari
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35 views

Water Analysis

Uploaded by

Priya Kumari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ecology Practical

Aim – To determine the chloride ion concentration in


a water sample using Mohr method.
Introduction
Chlorides are chemical compounds containing the chloride ion (Cl⁻), which is a negatively
charged ion formed when chlorine, a halogen element, gains an electron. They are widely
present in the environment, both in natural and anthropogenic forms, and play essential
roles in biological, chemical, and industrial processes.
• Most chlorides are highly soluble in water, making them common in aqueous systems.
• Many chlorides, such as NaCl, are crystalline solids at room temperature.
• Chlorides are essential electrolytes in the human body, involved in fluid balance, nerve
transmission, and digestion.
• Chloride ions are stable and non-reactive in many situations but can participate in
reactions under specific conditions, such as forming chlorine gas (Cl₂) when oxidized.
Occurrence of Chlorides
• Natural Sources:
• Found in seawater (sodium chloride, NaCl, is a major component).
• Released through the weathering of rocks and volcanic activity.
• Present in groundwater and surface water due to natural geological processes.
• Anthropogenic Sources:
• Industrial processes, road de-icing salts, fertilizers, and wastewater discharge.
Introduction
Common Chloride Compounds
1. Sodium Chloride (NaCl):
• Known as table salt, it is abundant in seawater and used extensively in food and
industry.
2. Potassium Chloride (KCl):
• Commonly used as a fertilizer and in medical treatments.
3. Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂):
• Used for road de-icing, as a drying agent, and in concrete.
4. Hydrogen Chloride (HCl):
• Exists as a gas or in aqueous form as hydrochloric acid, used in various industrial
applications.
Concentration of chlorides in water
Introduction
Introduction
Principle
Mohr’s method uses AgNO3 as the titrant (burette) and a small
quantity of potassium chromate (K2CrO4) as the indicator to
determine the concentration of chloride in a given sample.
• Silver nitrate is titrated against chloride ions to produce a white
precipitate (AgCl).

• When all chloride ions in a given sample has all been converted to
AgCl, additional AgNO3 reacts with yellow K2CrO4(indicator) to
produce reddish brown precipitate Ag2CrO4.
Chloride estimation
Reasons for Chloride estimation:
1. Water Quality Assessment
• Drinking Water Safety: High chloride levels can affect the taste of water
and corrode pipes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
a maximum chloride concentration of 250 mg/L for drinking water.
• Environmental Health: Elevated chloride levels in natural water bodies
can harm aquatic ecosystems by disrupting the osmoregulation of
aquatic organisms.
2. Wastewater Monitoring
• Industrial Effluents: Many industrial processes release chloride-
containing waste into the environment. Monitoring chloride ensures
compliance with environmental regulations.
• Sewage Treatment: Excessive chloride in wastewater can inhibit
biological treatment processes, as high concentrations are toxic to
microorganisms.
Chloride estimation
3. Agricultural Impact
• Irrigation Water Quality: High chloride concentrations in irrigation
water can cause soil salinity, damaging crops and reducing agricultural
productivity.
• Fertilizer Monitoring: Chloride levels are monitored in fertilizers to
maintain a balance of essential nutrients for plants.
4. Industrial Applications
• Corrosion Control: Chloride is a major contributor to the corrosion of
metals, especially in water systems and pipelines. Monitoring helps in
the design and maintenance of corrosion-resistant systems.
• Food Processing: In the food industry, chloride concentration is
monitored to maintain the quality and safety of products, especially in
brines and processed foods.
Chloride estimation
5. Environmental Monitoring
• Salt Intrusion: In coastal areas, chloride estimation helps monitor
saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies caused by over-extraction
or rising sea levels.
• De-icing Chemicals: Road de-icing salts (often NaCl) contribute to
elevated chloride levels in nearby water bodies. Monitoring helps assess
the environmental impact.

6. Health Considerations
• Medical and Biological Research: Chloride plays a critical role in human
physiology, such as maintaining electrolyte balance and acid-base
homeostasis. Its estimation is crucial in clinical and biomedical contexts.
Materials required:
Chemicals:
1. Water sample
2. 0.01 N Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution (standard solution)
3. 0.25 M Potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) solution (indicator)
4. Distilled water

Glassware
1. Burette
2. Conical flask 100ml
3. Pipette 10 ml
4. Discard beaker
5.Glass funnel
6. Measuring Cylinder
Preparation of Chemicals:
Silver Nitrate Solution (0.01 N): Dissolve 3.398g AgNO3 in 2 liters
of distilled water.
Procedure
1. Using the pipette, measure 10 mL of the water sample and
transfer it into a clean conical flask.
2. Add 2-3 drops of potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) solution to the
water sample in the conical flask. The solution will turn yellow.
3. Fill the burette with the AgNO₃ solution and record the initial
volume.
4. Gradually add the AgNO₃ solution to the sample while swirling
the conical flask. A brick-red precipitate of silver chromate
(Ag₂CrO₄) will start to form.
5. Continue the titration until the color changes from yellow to a
persistent faint reddish-brown. This marks the endpoint.
6. Record the final volume of AgNO₃ in the burette. Subtract the
initial volume to find the volume of AgNO₃ used.
Calculations

Molar mass of chloride = 35.45

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