EXPT NO.

9 TURBIDITY AND CONDUCTIVITY

DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY AND CONDUCTIVITY

AIM
To analyse the physical characteristics viz. turbidity, and conductivity of a given water sample and to
determine its suitability for drinking purposes
1. DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY
Objective
To determine the Turbidity of the given water sample.
Introduction
Insoluble particles of soil, inorganic and organic materials and other micro-organisms impede (obstruct)
passage of light by scattering and absorbing the light rays. The interference to passage of light is turbidity. It is
usually caused by the finely dissolved and sometimes suspended particles of clay loam sand and microscopic
organisms all in suspension.
Turbidity is measured photometrically by determining the quantity of light of given intensity absorbed/
scattered.
Jackson turbidity meter and Nephlo turbidity meter in generally used to measure turbidity of water samples.
Jacksons turbidity meter in generally is based on light absorption and nephlo turbidity meter is based on
intensity of light scattered by the sample, taking a reference with standard turbidity meter suspensions.
Nephlometric turbidity meter is generally used for samples with low turbidity and expressed as NTU or mg/ltr.
For portable water allowable turbidity is between 5 to 10 mg/L.
Environmental Significance
Turbidity is objectionable because of aesthetic and engineering considerations. Disinfection of turbid water is
difficult because of adsorptive characteristics of some colloids and their tendency to solid organisms from the
disinfectant. In natural water bodies, turbidity interferes with light penetrations and pathogenic reactions of
aquatic plants. Turbidity measurements are useful to determine whether a supply requires special treatment
by chemical coagulation before public water supply. It is also used to determine the effectiveness of treatment
produced with different chemicals and dosage needful. Measurement of turbidity in settled water prior to
filtration is useful in controlling the chemical dosage so as to excessive loading of rapid sand filters. It is also
useful to determine the optimum dosage of coagulants and to evaluate the performance of water treatment
plants.
Principle
The amount of chloride present in water can be easily determined by titrating the given water sample with
silver nitrate solution. The silver nitrate reacts with chloride ion according to1 mole of AgNO 3 reacts with 1
mole of chloride. The titrant concentration is generally 0.02 M. Silver chloride is precipitated quantitatively,
before red silver chromate is formed. The end of titration is indicated by formation of red silver chromate from
excess silver nitrate. The results are expressed in mg/L of chloride (Cl - with a molecular weight of 35.453
g/mol).
Materials Required
Apparatus Required
1. Nephlo turbidity meter
2. Sample Tubes
Chemicals Required
1. Hexamethylenetetramine
2. Hydrazine Sulphate
3. Distilled water
Reagents Preparation
1. Dissolve 1.0gm Hydrazine sulphate and dilute to 100ml
2. Dissolve 10gm Hexamethylenetetramine and dilute in l00ml
3. 5ml of each of the above solution (1 and 2) in a l00ml volumetric flask and allow to stand for 24 hrs at
25±3°C and dilute to 1000ml. This solution has a turbidity of 40NTU.
Procedure
1. The Nephelometer turbidimeter in switched on and waited for few minutes till it warms up.
2. The instrument is set up with a 4ONTU standard suspension
3. The sample is thoroughly shaked and kept it for sometimes so the air bubbles are eliminated
EXPT NO. 9 TURBIDITY AND CONDUCTIVITY

4. The sample is taken in Nephelometer sample tube and the sample is put in Sample chamber and the
reading is noted directly.
5. The sample is diluted with turbidity free water and again the turbidity is read.
Observations

Trial No. SAMPLE DETAILS TURBIDITY

(NTU)
1
2
3
Results
The Turbidity of the given sample = _______
Inference

2. DETERMINATION OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

Objective
To determine the electrical conductivity of the given water sample.
Introduction
Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of how conductive the water is to electrical current. Greater the ion
concentration, greater is the EC. Generally higher the EC, higher is the total dissolved solids. Electrical
Conductivity is an indirect measure for finding the total dissolved solids in a water body. To convert the
electrical conductivity of a water sample (micro Siemens per cm, μS/cm) to the concentration of total dissolved
solids (ppm), the conductivity must be multiplied by a factor between 0.46 and 0.9 (depending on the unique
mixture of the dissolved materials). A widely accepted conversion factor is 0.67. TDS (ppm) = Conductivity
{ (μS/cm) x 0.67}.The instrument used for measuring conductivity is conductivity meter.
Environmental Significance
Electrical conductivity measurements are often employed to monitor desalination plants. It is useful to assess
the source of pollution. In coastal regions, conductivity data can be used to decide the extent of intrusion of
sea water into ground water. Conductivity data is useful in determining the suitability of water and wastewater
for disposal on land. Irrigation waters up to 2 millisiemens / cm conductance have been found to be suitable
for irrigation depending on soils and climatic characteristics. It is also used indirectly to fine out inorganic
dissolved soli
Principle
Conductivity is measured with a probe and a meter. A voltage is applied between the two electrodes in the
probe immersed in the sample water. The drop in voltage caused by the resistance of the water is used to
calculate the conductivity per centimeter. Conductivity (G), the inverse of resistivity (R) is determined from the
voltage and current values according to Ohm’s law. i.e. R=V/I then, G=1/R=I/V. The meter converts the probe
measurement to micro mhos per centimeter and displays the result for the user.
Materials Required
Apparatus Required
1. Conductivity meter
Chemicals Required
1. KCl
2. Distilled water
Procedure
1. Connect the conductivity cell, temperature probe to the socket in the meter.
2. Connect the meter to the power supply and switch on the supply.
3. Allow the meter for few seconds.
4. Dip the conductivity cell and temperature probe in standard KCl solution.
EXPT NO. 9 TURBIDITY AND CONDUCTIVITY

5. Calibrate the instrument after placing the standard KCl solution.

6. Remove the conductivity cell and temperature probe from the solution and rinse it with distilled
water. Wipe the conductivity cell and temperature probe with tissue paper.
7. Dip the conductivity cell and temperature probe in water sample and note down the reading in the
display.
Observations

SAMPLE TEMPERATURE OF THE SAMPLE CONDUCTITY

No. (0C) (µmho)
1
2
3
Results
The Electrical conductivity of the given sample in ms @ 30 0C= _______

Inference