EXPERIMENT ON DETERMINATION OF ACIDITY OF WATER
To determine the acidity of given water sample with the stipulations
INTRODUCTION
Acidity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralize bases. Acidity is the
sum of all titrable acid present in the water sample. Strong mineral acids, weak
acids such as carbonic acid, acetic acid present in the water sample contributes
to acidity of the water. Usually dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major acidic
component present in the unpolluted surface waters.
The volume of standard alkali required to titrate a specific volume of the sample
(wastewater and highly polluted water) to pH is called phenolphthalein acidity
(Total Acidity).
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Acidity interferes in the treatment of water. Carbon dioxide is of important
considerations in determining whether removal by aeration or simple
neutralization with lime /lime soda ash or NaOH will be chosen as the water
treatment method.
The size of the equipment, chemical requirements, storage spaces and cost of the
treatment all depends on the carbon dioxide present.
Aquatic life is affected by high water acidity. The organisms present are prone to
death with low pH of water.
High acidity water is not used for construction purposes. Especially in reinforced
concrete construction due to the corrosive nature of high acidity water.
Water containing mineral acidity is not fit for drinking purposes.
Industrial wastewaters containing high mineral acidity is must be neutralized
before they are subjected to biological treatment or direct discharge to water
sources.
PRINCIPLE
Hydrogen ions present in a sample as a result of dissociation or hydrolysis of
solutes reacts with additions of standard alkali (NaOH). Acidity thus depends on
end point of the indicator used.
The color change of phenolphthalein indicator is close to pH 8.3 at 25ºC
corresponds to stoichiometric neutralization of carbonic acid to bicarbonate
MATERIALS / APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Burette with Burette stand
2. porcelain tile
3. Pipette bulb
4. Conical flask
5. Measuring cylinders
6. Wash Bottle and Beakers
CHEMICALS REQUIRED
1. Sodium Hydroxide
2. Phenolphthalein
3. Ethyl alcohol
4. Distilled Water
SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION
• Preservation of sample is not practical. Because biological activity will
continue after a sample has been taken, changes may occur during
handling and storage.
• To reduce the change in samples, keep all samples at 4º C. Do not allow
samples to Freeze.
• Analysis should begin as soon as possible.
• Do not open sample bottle before analysis.
PRECAUTIONS
• Colored and turbid samples may interfere in end point. Those samples
may be analyzed electrometrically, using pH meter.
• Do not keep the indicator solution open since it contains the alcohol which
tense to evaporate. The mixed indicator solution is containing die in it.
• Care should be taken so that it is not spill to your skin. If it spills on your
skin the scare will remain for at least 2 to 3 days.
• Presence of residual chlorine may interfere in the color response, which
can be nullified by addition of small amount of sodium thiosulphate or
destroy it with ultraviolet radiation.
• Presence of iron and aluminum sulphate may interfere in the color
response while titrating in room temperature, which can be nullified by
titrating the sample at boiling temperature.
• Dissolved gases contributing to acidity such as CO2, H2S may interfere in
the titration, hence avoid vigorous shaking.
• Samples suspected to have hydrolysable metal ions or reduced forms of
polyvalent cations need hydrogen per oxide treatment.
PROCEDURE
PREPARATION OF REAGENTS: Sodium Hydroxide (0.01 N)
• Take 1000 mL standard measuring flask and fill 3/4th of it with distilled
water.
• Accurately measure 20 mL of 0.1N sulphuric acid solution using a pipette
and transfer to 1000 mL standard flask containing the distilled water.
• Make up to 1000 mL using distilled water.
Phenolphthalein Indicator
• Weigh accurately 1 g of phenolphthalein and dissolve it in 95% ethyl
alcohol.
• Take 100 mL standard measuring flask and place a funnel over it.
• Transfer it to the 100 mL standard flask and make up to 100 mL using 95% ethyl
alcohol.
TESTING OF SAMPLE
• Rinse the burette with 0.01N sodium hydroxide and then discard the
solution.
• Fill the burette with 0.01N sodium hydroxide and adjust the burette.
• Fix the burette to the stand.
• A sample size is chosen as the titre value does not exceed 20mL of the
titrant. For highly concentrated samples, dilute the sample.
• Usually, take 100 mL of a given sample in a conical flask using pipette.
• To the solution in the conical flask add few drops of phenolphthalein
indicator.
• Continue the titration, until the color changes to faint pink color.
• Note down the total volume (V) consumed for titration in mL. This volume
is used for calculating the total acidity.
• Repeat the titration for concordant values.
CALCULATION
Table: Total Acidity:
Volume of Burette Reading (mL) Volume of
Sl. No.
Sample (mL) Initial Final NaOH (mL)
1. 100 4.2 4.9 0.7
2. 100 5.0 5.5 0.5
3. 100 5.7 6.3 0.6
Burette Solution: Sodium Hydroxide
Pipette Solution: Sample
Indicator: Phenolphthalein
End Point: Faint Pink Color
For the calculation of Total Acidity:
• The Sodium Hydroxide is taken in the burette.
• For the First titration the volume of water sample taken is 100 mL.
The initial reading is 4.2, the final reading is 4.9mL.
• The volume of NaOH consumed to get the end point is 0.7mL.
• For Second titration the volume of water sample taken is 100 mL. The
initial reading is 5.0, the final reading is 5.5mL.
• The volume of NaOH consumed to get the end point is 0.5mL.
• For third titration the volume of water sample taken is 100 mL. The initial
reading is 5.7, the final reading is 6.3mL.
• The volume of NaOH (V2) consumed to get the end point is 0.6mL.
• so we have achieved concordant values. We can go for the calculations.
Model Calculation:
Volume of NaOH for Total Acidity (V) = 0.5 mL
Normality of Sulphuric Acid = 0.1 N
Volume of Sample = 100 mL
Equivalent weight of CaCO3 = 50
Total Acidity = Volume of NaOH (V) * N * 50 * 1000
Volume of sample taken
To convert the sample size from mL to L, multiply the result by 1,000 mL/L
Total Acidity as CaCO3 equivalent (mg/L) = 0.5 x 0.1 x 50 x 1000/100
= 25 mg/L as CaCO3 equivalent
INFERENCE
Acidity is a measure of an aggregate property of water and can be interpreted in
terms of specific substances only when the chemical composition of the sample
is known. Acidity may contribute to corrosiveness and influence chemical
reaction rates, chemical speciation and biological process. The measurement
also reflects a change in the quality of the source water. Strong mineral acids,
weak acids such as carbonic acid, acetic acid and hydrolyzing salts such as iron
or aluminum sulphates may contribute to the measured acidity.
