Determination Of Alkalinity In Given Water Sample

Objectives

Objectives of this lab includes:

 To get knowledge of alkalinity in water

 To understand the concept and phenomenon about alkalinity
 To learn about the role of alkalinity in water quality
 To understand the precautions and procedures involved in the determination of
alkalinity in water

Definition

Alkalinity is the ability or capacity of solution to neutralize the acid. The alkalinity of water
is a measure of how much acid it can neutralize. If any changes are made to the water that
could raise or lower the pH value, alkalinity acts as a buffer, protecting the water and its life
forms from sudden shifts in pH.

Also, it should be mentioned that pH and alkalinity are two different terms and their
difference is that Alkalinity is the capacity of water to neutralize acids. pH is an expression of
the intensity of the basic or acid condition of a liquid.

Alkalinity in the water is due to the salts of acids e.g. propionic acid, acetic acid, etc., strong
bases and weak bases, hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates. In alkalinity of water major
contributor is bicarbonates. The main sources for natural alkalinity are rocks which contain
carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide compounds. Borates, silicates, and phosphates also
may contribute to alkalinity. Limestone is rich in carbonates, so waters flowing through
limestone regions or bedrock containing carbonates generally have high alkalinity.

There is no specific value given for the alkalinity in water. The alkalinity of water is
measured in mg/L as CaCO3.

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Types of alkalinity

 Caustic alkalinity
It is the amount of strong acid required to decrease the ph of the sample to about 10. It
gives the alkalinity due to hydroxide ions and the reaction with the acid is as follows:
2OH + H2SO4 2H2O + SO4-2
 Carbonate alkalinity
The amount of strong acid required to decrease the ph of water to 8.3. It is also known
as phenolphthalein alkalinity. It gives the amount of carbonate ions and an indication
of hydroxide ions present. If hydroxide ions are present in the sample, titration to pH
8.3 will indicate the alkalinity due to all hydroxide ions and half of carbonate ions.
2CO3-2 + H2SO4 2HCO3- + SO4-2
 Total alkalinity
The amount of strong acid required to decrease the pH of water sample to 4.3.
Titration of a sample to pH 4.3 converts all the carbonates and bicarbonates remaining
to carbonic acid. The color indicator used during the titration is methyl orange and
alkalinity is also known as methyl orange alkalinity.
2HCO3-1 + H2SO4 2H2CO3 + SO4-2

Environmental Significance

 Aquatic life
Alkalinity is important for fish and aquatic life because it protects or buffers against
rapid pH changes. Living organisms, especially aquatic life, function best in a pH
range of 6.0 to 9.0. Alkalinity is a measure of how much acid can be added to a liquid
without causing a large change in pH. Higher alkalinity levels in surface waters will
buffer acid rain and other acid wastes and prevent pH changes that are harmful to
aquatic life. For the protection of aquatic life, the buffering capacity should be at least
20 mg/L.
 Corrosion in water
The principle objection of alkaline water is the certain reaction that can occur between
the alkalinity and the cation present in the waters. The resultant precipitate can
corrode the water supply pipes and cause the harmful effects to the consumer of that
water.

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  Use in recovering of petroleum
Alkalinity of carbonate and bicarbonate in saline water is very important in the
tertiary processes of recovering petroleum. Alkaline water offers better wetting of
sediments rocks and improve oil releasing. As an additional benefit, ions that provide
alkalinity absorb on the rock surfaces occupying absorption sites and decrease the loss
of recovery of chemicals.
 Coagulation
As we know that the coagulation of water makes the water acidic and to resolve this
matter treatment companies prefer water with a high alkalinity for coagulation since it
tends to have more positively charged ions to interact with the negatively charged
colloids. Alkalinity is a major item that must be considered in Coagulation. It must be
present in excess of that destroyed by the acid released by the coagulant for effective
and complete coagulation to occur.
 Water softening
Water softening is the act of reducing the dissolved calcium, magnesium, and to some
degree manganese and ferrous iron ion concentration in hard water. A common water
softener is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Alkalinity is a major item that must be
considered in calculating the lime and soda ash requirements in softening of water.

Also, some other advantages and disadvantages are given:

Disadvantages

 It may cause problem in the gastro-intestinal tract and skin.

 Large amount of alkalinity imparts bitter taste in water.
 An overall excess of alkalinity in the body may cause gastro-intestinal issues and
skin irritations.
 too much alkalinity may cause alkalosis; it may cause a decrease in free calcium in
the body, which can affect bone health
 Excessive consumption may ruin the natural acids of your stomach killing the
good bacteria.

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Advantages

 One of the most important benefits of alkaline water is that it neutralizes the acidity in
our body by lowering excessive acidic content in the stomach and gastro-intestinal
tract.
 Alkaline water has ultra-hydrating properties as compared to normal water. This
can be a beneficial drink for people who work out on a daily basis and require more
amount of water in their body.
 Alkaline water benefits also include boosting immunity. Your immune system may
help neutralize the acidity in your body, which is caused by poor diet, stress and
environmental toxins.
 Alkaline water is said to have various minerals like magnesium and calcium, both of
which are important for maintaining healthy bones.

NEQS guidelines

There are no certain guidelines for the alkalinity but the related parameters are given:

Parameters WHO standards Standard values for

Pakistan
color ≤ 15 TCU ≤ 15 TCU
taste Non-acceptable Non-acceptable
odor Non-acceptable Non-acceptable
turbidity < 5 NTU < 5 NTU
Total hardness as CaCO3 < 500 mg/l ---
TDS < 1000 < 1000
pH 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 – 8.5

Alkalinity Measurement

Collection, Sampling and Storage

 Container: It is made up of plastic, grab and glass.

 Storage: Always try to test the sample immediately after the time of collection of the
sample or at the testing site. But if the delay is in habitable then store the sample in
refrigerator at 40C.

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  Holding time: It’s holding time is 14 days.

Interferences during sampling

 Chlorine: Chlorine at levels above 3.5 mg/L can cause a yellow-brown color when
the Bromcresol Green-Methyl Red Powder Pillow is added. To remove the
interference, pretreat the sample by adding 1 drop of Sodium Thiosulfate Standard
Solution, 0.1N, 100 mL MDB Product # per 100 mL sample, before adding any other
reagents.
 Soaps, oily matter, suspended solids, and precipitates: Oils or solids can collect on
the pH probe and cause a slow response. Clean the probe immediately after use.

Materials and Reagents

1. Materials
 Burette
 Pipette
 Funnel
 Burette stand
 Conical flasks
 Beakers
 Conical flask
 Beakers
 Dropper
 Clamp
2. Reagents
 Methyl orange indicator
 Phenolphthalein indicator
 0.02 N sulphuric acid
 Distilled water

Procedure

1. Preparation of standard acid

1. Take a volumetric flask of 1L and fill the ½ of the flask.
2. Now add 0.54ml of H2SO4 wit pipette in the flask.
3. Now fill the up to the mark with distilled water.
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 4. Now you have obtained the acid of required normality.
2. Phenolphthalein alkalinity
1. Take a 50ml of water sample.
2. Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein.
3. Titrate the sample with 0.02 N H2SO4 until colorless presence of hydroxide and
carbonates is measured from pink color.
4. If pH > 8.3 we measure both phenol and methyl orange alkalinity.
5. If pH < 8.3 then we measure only methyl orange alkalinity.
0.02 N∗1000∗50
= mean volume of sample
mL of sample
2. Methyl orange alkalinity
1. Now take the colorless sample obtain by above titration.
2. Add methyl orange and orange color will appear.
3. Titrate it with sulphuric acid till peach/pink color will appear.
4. To find the alkalinity use the following formula:
0.02 N∗1000∗50
=total volume of sample
mL of sample

Observations and Calculations

1. Preparation of sulphuric acid of 0.02N

%age purity∗density∗10
Normality (N) =
euivalent weight

%age of sulphuric acid = 97%

Density of sulphuric acid = 1.84 g/mL

Equivalent weight = 49

97∗1.84∗10
Normality (N) =
49

Normality (N) = 36.428 N

N1V1=N2V2

(36.428) * V1 = (0.02) * 1000

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 V1 = .54 ml in water

To prepare the sulfuric acid of 0.02N we have added the .54 ml of sulfuric acid in 1000ml of
water.

pH of the sample = 7.98

Hence, the pH of the sample is less than 8 so only methyl orange alkalinity will be performed

2. Phenolphthalein alkalinity

Burette readings (mL)

Sr. Volume of sample Final readings
no. (mL) (mL)
Initial final

1 50 0 0 0

2 50 0 0 0

Volume of sulphuric acid =0

Normality of sulphuric acid = 0.02

Volume of samples = 50

¿ .02∗1000∗50
alkalinity =
50

= 0 mg/L as CaCO3 equivalent

3. Methyl orange alkalinity

Sr. Volume of sample Burette readings (mL) Final readings

no. (mL) (mL)
Initial final

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 1 50 0 18.4 18.4

2 50 18.4 35 16.6

Volume of sulphuric acid = 17.5 ml

Normality of sulphuric acid = 0.02

Volume of samples =50

17.5∗.02∗1000∗50
Alkalinity=
50

= 350 mg/L as CaCO3 equivalent

Results

The alkalinity of the given sample is 350mg/l as CaCO3 equivalent.

Comments

We have performed the experiment to find the alkalinity of a waste water sample and found
that it has very high alkalinity of 350mg/l and it is an alarming situation and treatment of
water should be done.

In this experiment, the pH of water sample is 7.98. We add methyl orange indicator and
titrate it with 0.02N H2SO4, until color changes form yellow to pink. After performing this
experiment, the observed alkalinity in water sample is 350 mg/L as CaCO3.The alkalinity of
water can be determined by titrating the water sample with sulphuric acid. For pH more than
8.3, add phenolphthalein indicator. For pH less than 8.3, add methyl orange indicator.

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