Department of Civil Engineering

CIE 425: Environmental Engineering Lab

Fall 2024
Instructor: Dr. Mahmoud Wazne
Conductivity and Phosphate in Water
Report 4
Experiment Date: October 19, 2024
Submission Date: October 26, 2024
Group 4
Group Members
Name ID
Jana Rima 202204857
Sara Nour Roukos 202202706
Daniel Baddour 202204309
Samouel Saliba 202104914
Table of Contents
Abstract..........................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................3
List of Equipment & Chemicals....................................................................................................................4
Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................4
Results............................................................................................................................................................5
Data Collected............................................................................................................................................5
Calculation.................................................................................................................................................5
Discussion......................................................................................................................................................6
Error Analysis................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................................6
Appendix........................................................................................................................................................7
References......................................................................................................................................................8
Group Members Tasks:..............................................................................................................................8
Abstract
This experiment investigated two essential water quality parameters: electrical
conductivity and phosphate concentration. The first part of the experiment involved preparing
potassium chloride (KCl) solutions of varying concentrations and measuring their electrical
conductivity to establish a calibration curve, and then an unknown KCl sample’s concentration
was determined using this curve. Moreover, the second part of the experiment measured
phosphate concentration in water using a spectrophotometer and the colorimetric method based
on the formation of molybdenum blue. The results showed a direct linear relationship between
conductivity and KCl concentration, while phosphate measurements revealed minor deviations in
known samples due to potential errors in chemical preparation. Knowledge of these parameters is
essential for further study of water quality.

Introduction
Water quality assessment is crucial in environmental engineering due to its impact on
public health, ecosystems, and resource sustainability. Two key parameters in evaluating water
quality are electrical conductivity and phosphate concentration. Firstly, Conductivity measures a
solution's ability to transmit electrical current, which depends on the presence of dissolved ions,
for which higher conductivity in water can indicate increased levels of minerals or pollutants,
often from sources like industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, or groundwater leaching.
Additionally, Phosphorus, which presents in water as various forms of phosphates, is essential
for plant growth but, in excess, can cause eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms that
deplete oxygen levels and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. In reality, common sources of phosphate
pollution include agricultural fertilizers, untreated sewage, and industrial waste. Thus,
monitoring these parameters is vital to prevent ecological imbalances and maintain water quality.
The primary objectives of this experiment were to establish a calibration curve by measuring the
electrical conductivity of potassium chloride (KCl) solutions of varying concentrations, and to
use this curve to determine the concentration of an unknown KCl sample. Additionally, the
experiment aimed to quantify phosphate levels in water using a colorimetric method based on the
formation of a molybdenum blue complex, which allows for sensitive detection of
orthophosphate ions. By understanding the relationship between ion concentration and
conductivity, as well as applying the molybdenum blue method for phosphate detection, this
experiment provides insights into essential water quality parameters.
List of Equipment & Chemicals
Equipment:
-
Chemicals:
-

Procedure
Results
6th sample: [KCl] = 0.00597 M

Data Collected
Table 1 - Measured electrical conductivity (mS/cm) in the laboratory.

Sample number 1 2 3 4 5 6

Conductivity (mS/cm) 302 560 1116 708 1355 831

Calculation
Measuring the electrical conductivity in diluted KCl samples:
5 samples of different concentrations of KCl were used in this experiment, and one sample if an
unknown concentration.
Volume final Concentration initial
Factor of dilution = =
Volume initial Concentration final
255 0.1
Sample 1: Factor of dilution = = 51  51 =  [KCl]sample 1 = 0.00196M
5 Concentration final
Table 2 - KCl concentration of all 5 samples.

Sample number 1 2 3 4 5
Dilution factor 50 25 12.5 20 10
Concentration (M) 0.002 0.004 0.008 0.005 0.01

Plotting the samples concentration in Molar vs. the conductivity measurement gices the
following graph:
 Electrical Conductivty vs. [KCl]

Electrical conductivity in
1600 5
1400
3
1200
1000

mS/cm
4
800 2
600
1
400
200
0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012
[KCl] in Molar

Figure 1 - Graph showing electrical conductivity (mS/cm) vs. KCl concentration (M)

Our 6th sample of unknown concentration showed a value of 831mS/cm for electrical conductivity when
measured in the laboratory. The equation of the curve is Conductivity = 132946 [KCl] + 37.113
831 = 132946 x [KCl] + 37.113  [KCl] = 0.00596 mg/L

Electrical Conductivty vs. [KCl]

1600
Electrical conductivity in

5
1400
3
1200 f(x) = 132946.078431373 x + 37.1127450980395
1000
mS/cm

800 4
2
600
400 1
200
0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012

[KCl] in Molar

Figure 2 - Plotting the 6th sample conductivity on the curve.

Electrical Resistivity = 1 / Electrical conductivity

Sample 1: ρ = 1/K = 1/302 = 0.003311 ohm
Our unknown [KCl] sample had a conductivity of 831 mS/cm, therefore, a resistivity of 0.001203 ohm
 Electrical Resistivity vs. [KCl]
0.0035

Electrical resisitvity in ohm

0.003
0.0025
0.002
0.0015
0.001
0.0005
0
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 01 11
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0
0.
0 0. 0.
0

[KCl] in Molar

Figure 3 - Electrical resistivity vs. [KCl]

Graphically, the x coordinate of the point where y = resistivity = 0.001203 ohm is x = [KCl] = 0.00596 M

Electrical Resitivity vs. [KCl]

0.0035
Electrical resistivity in ohm

0.003
0.0025
0.002
0.0015
0.001
0.0005
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 1
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0. 01
0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.
[KCl] in Molar

Figure 4 - Determining the [KCl] from resistivity

Measuring phosphate in water: Spectrophotometer

Program used: 490P react. PV
1st sample:
[PO43-] = 1mg/L Reading = 1.13mg/L
2nd sample:
Trial 1: [PO43-] = 2mg/L Reading = 0.98mg/L
Trial 2: [PO43-] = 2mg/L Reading = 1.81mg/L
Discussion

Error Analysis

Conclusion
Appendix
1- Yes, the conductivity would change if another salt were present in the solution besides KCl.
To clarify, conductivity depends on the concentration and type of dissolved ions in the
solution, and different salts dissociate into different ions, which can vary in charge and
mobility. Thus for example, a solution containing NaCl (sodium chloride) would have Na+
and Cl− ions, while a solution with KCl would have K+ and Cl− ions. Since each ion has
different electrical conductivity properties based on its charge and size, the presence of
another salt would alter the total conductivity of the solution. Additionally, if multiple salts
are present, their cumulative ion concentrations would also increase the solution’s
conductivity. The overall change in conductivity would depend on the type of salts, their
dissociation levels, and the resulting ionic interactions.
2- Yes, it is possible to determine the concentration of KCl in any water sample using this
technique, provided that the sample contains only KCl as the primary source of ions affecting
the conductivity. The technique relies on establishing a calibration curve that shows the
relationship between the conductivity of known KCl solutions and their concentrations. By
measuring the conductivity of an unknown water sample and referring to the calibration
curve, the concentration of KCl in the sample can be determined. But the presence of other
ions may affect the conductivity and thus reducing the accuracy.
3-
References
Wazne, M. (2024). Conductivity – Phosphate in Water. Byblos: Lebanese American University.

Group Members Tasks:

Jana Rima: Data Collected, Calculation.
Sara Nour Roukos:
Daniel Baddour:
Samuel Saliba: