Ammonia Test

Ammonia, NH3, is a colourless gas, with a distinct odour composed of nitrogen and
hydrogen atoms. It occurs naturally from the decomposition of organic matter, but it is also
produced in large quantities by humans in the production of fertilisers, plastics,
pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals. Ammonia needs to be monitored in drinking water to
safeguard human health. It can be present in drinking water after disinfection using
monochloramine or as a result of leaching from materials used in water pipework
construction. If drinking water contains more than more than 0.2 mg/L of ammonia, and
chlorine is used as a disinfectant, the taste and odour of the water can be affected. This can
also make the chlorine less effective, which can impact cost efficiency and the safety of the
water.
Objective:
To test for ammonia in wastewater samples
Materials:
• Palintest Ammonia No.1 Tablets
• Palintest Ammonia No.1 Tablets
• Palintest Photometer
• Round test tubes
Diagram:

Procedure:
1. Two test tubes were filled up to 10ml mark.
2. One Ammonia No. 1 tablet and one Ammonia No.2 tablet was added, crushed and
mixed in order to dissolve.
3. Ten minutes were allowed to pass by to allow colour development.
4. A wavelength of 640nm was selected on the photometer.
 5. The Comparator was hold against daylight and the colour of water was matched with
those given on Comparator, through observation window, by slowly sliding the
Comparator up and down.
6. Ammonia content was read (as NH3, ppm) directly on matching colour.
Results:
Sample Ammonia concentration (mg/l)
Ain 6.4
Aout 2.8
Sample Name Ammonia concentration mg/l
Discussions:
The water samples contained ammonia. However, SAZ does not have a value for permissible
amount of ammonia in wastewater. According to WHO, the safe level for ammonia in
wastewater for safe disposal is 15mg/L. All of the water samples are within the range
therefore making the wastewater acceptable for disposal into the environment.