1|Page
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND FORENSIC SCIENCES
CHEM 301 LAB ONE: ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY and pH
STUDENT NAME: GOBE JAM
STUDENT NUMBER:20000396
PROGRAMME: BSc FORENSIC SCIENCE
1.
AIM
The main objective of this experiment is to determine the variety of the pH, the
electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids of the three water samples (distilled
water, tap water and waste water).
2. INTRODUCTION
According to (Hamann,S.D and Linton. M,2001), the electrical conductivity is
normally based on the flow of the electrons. They further stated that conductivity is
the numerical expression of the ability of water to carry electrons. Also, the
conductivity of the substances depends on the type of the compound it is. Normally
electrical conduction takes place in ionic compounds where the anion transfers the
electrons to the cations which creates the electrostatic bond and an electrically neutral
bond. These compounds are soluble in aqueous solutions and play good in conducting
the electricity. In detail, conductivity depends on the presence of the ions, total
concentrations, mobility and the temperature at measurement. Distilled water has a
conductivity range from 0.5 to 2 µho/cm which increases after a few weeks of storage
due to the absorption of carbon dioxide. Conductivity instruments are used in
2|Page
pipelines, channels, flowing streams and can be used in incorporated in multi-
parameter monitoring stations using recorders, (Sousa et al, 2014).
Thirumalini,S and Joseph,K, 2009 later described TDS or Total Dissolved Solids as a
measure of the total ions in solution. EC is actually a measure of the ionic activity of a
solution in term of its capacity to transmit current. In dilute solution, TDS and EC are
reasonably comparable. The TDS of a water sample based on the measured EC value can be
calculated using the following equation:TDS (mg/l) = 0.5 x EC (dS/m or mmho/cm) or = 0.5
* 1000 x EC (mS/cm)The above relationship can also be used to check the acceptability of
water chemical analyses. It does not apply to wastewater. As the solution becomes more
concentrated (TDS > 1000 mg/l, EC > 2000 ms/cm), the proximity of the solution ions to
each other depresses their activity and consequently their ability to transmit current, although
the physical amount of dissolved solids is not affected. At high TDS values, the ratio
TDS/EC increases and the relationship tends toward TDS = 0.9 x EC.In these cases the
above-mentioned relationship should not be used and each sample should be characterized
separately,( Ji, Z., 2018).
The two authors further stated that Total dissolved solids in water are known to contain
inorganic compounds, salts and the small amounts of the organic matter inclusive of cations
such as calcium, magnesium and sodium. The fact is, high concentration of dissolved
substances is not always a hazard for human consumption for example, natural water has the
most elevated sources of dissolved minerals and yet safe for consumption. Water with the
lowest TDS was found to have flat taste of which is undesired by the majority of the
consumers. However, high concentration of the TDS is an indication of the presence of
harmful contaminants such as iron and arsenic. This high concentration may be due to human
pollution through water runoffs and waste water discharges. Below is the table depicting the
TDS ratings of the water sample composed by the World Health Organisation following the
preferred level of TDS in water.
Furthermore, the pH of water varies naturally, surface water has a pH value between
6.5 and 8.5 whereas human activities have undesired effect on the pH of nearby water
sources. Chemical pollution through the industrial operations may result in acid rains
that may result in acidic water bodies, (Wadowsky et al, 1995).
3. EXPERIMENTAL
3.1 APPARATUS AND REAGENTS
waste water
distilled water
pH meter
conductivity meter
Tap water
3|Page
3.2 PROCEDURE
3.2.1 Electrical conductivity
Firstly, the EC meter was calibrated with three standard solutions of electrical
conductivity. The electrodes were then immersed into the distilled water, tap water
and waste water and waited for a minute for steady reading to determine their
conductivity.
3.2.2 pH
The electrodes of the pH meter were calibrated with two standard buffer solutions of
pH. The electrodes were then immersed into a sample of distilled water and after
waiting for a minute for a steady reading, the reading was observed. The same was
done for tap water and waste water.
4. RESULTS
Table 1: Electrical conductivity of water samples
Type of solution EC Value EC Value EC Value EC Value
(µS/cm) 1 (µS/cm) 2 (µS/cm) 3 (µS/cm)
Distilled Water 1.41 1.45 1.42 1.427 ± 0.017
Tap Water 154.60 154.59 154.61 154.60± 0.0082
Waste Water 3030 3029 3027 3028.7 ± 1.2
Table 2:pH value of the three water samples
Type of pH value 1 pH value 2 pH 3 pH value (average)
solution
Distilled water 7.31 7.20 7.22 7.243 ± 0.048
Waste water 4.33 4.32 4.31 4.3200 ± 0.0082
Tap water 8.49 8.51 8.51 8.5000 ± 0.0094
Table 3: TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS IN THE THREE WATER SAMPLES
Type of solution TDS (mg/L) 1 TDS (mg/L) 2 TDS (mg/L) 3 TDS (mg/L) ±
error(average)
Distilled water 0.85 0.87 0.86 0.836 ± 0.0082
Tap water 92.76 92.75 92.77 92.76 ± 0.0082
Waste water 1818.00 1817.40 1816.20 1817.20 ± 0.75
Sample Calculations
TDS (mg/L) = 0.6 EC (µS/cm)
= 154.60 µS/cm X 0.6
=92.76mg/L
4|Page
ERROR
i)Electrical conductivity
SD (ERROR)= ∑ √ ( x−µ)²
SD (ERROR)= ∑ (1.41- 1.1.427) ² + (1.45- 1.1.427) ² + (1.42- 1.1.427) ²
SD (ERROR)=± 0.017 µS/cm
ii) Potential hydrogen
SD (ERROR)= ∑ √ ( x−µ)²
SD (ERROR)= ∑ (7.31- 7.243) ² + (7.20- 7.243) ² + (7.22- 7.243) ²
SD (ERROR)= ±0.048
iii)Total Dissolved Solutes
SD (ERROR)= ∑ √ ( x−µ)²
SD (ERROR)= ∑√ (0.85- 0.836) ² + (0.87- 0.836) ² + (0.86-0.836) ²
SD (ERROR)= ±0.082mg/L
5. DISCUSSION
The experiment was successfully carried and the electrical conductivity as well as the
pH of distilled water, tap water and waste water were measured as instructed. The
electrical conductivity of distilled, tap and waste water were recorded as 1.427 ±
0.0172 µS/cm, 154.60 ± 0.0082µS/cm and 3028.7 ± 1.2 µS/cm respectively. As afore
mentioned, the electrical conductivity of distilled water was recorded as 1.41± 0.017
µS/cm which falls in the known or theorical distilled water electrical conductivity
being 0.5-3µS/cm tends to be the one with the lowest electrical conductivity recorded
amongst the three because distilled water is not a good conductor of electricity. This
is because the electrical current is transported by the ions in solution and the
conductivity increases as the concentration of ions. Thus, conductivity increases as
water dissolves ionic species and these ions are least found in distilled water resulting
in low conductivity. Furthermore, that of tap water is 154.60 ± 0.0082µS/cm which
also turns to fall between the composed theorical range of 50-800µS/cm. As opposed
to distilled water, tap water has higher electrical conductivity, this is because of the
presence of ions such as the Mg+ and Ca+ that enhances electrical conductivity within
the water sample (Thirumalini and Joseph, 2009). Lastly, 3028.7± 1.2µS/cm is the
electrical conductivity of waste water measured; this is highest conductivity amongst
all the three water samples used because of the presence of the highest number of
metal ions that possess a positive charge. Although the SI units of the electrical
5|Page
conductivity is Sm-1, results are mostly given in µS/cm because of the lowest
conductivities in question.
The procedure was furthered by calculating the pH of the three water samples. The
pH of distilled water was measured as 7.243± 0.048 and this was a clear indication of
the neutrality of the distilled water. Though distilled water is neutral, there are times it
is acidic at a pH of about 5.8 because of the absorption of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, (Buates et al,2014). Further measurements were taken where now the
potential hydrogen of waste water was found as 4.32± 0.0082, this acidity is due to
contact with carbon dioxide dissolving in the water and forming carbonic acid in
return. Also, the acidity is availed due to the fact that microorganisms work best in
acidic to slightly alkaline solutions and although the pH measured is not in the exact
theoretical range of 6- 8.5, the pH is acceptable as it maintains the acidity as expected.
This waste water is hence noted not safe for human consumption as the pH does not
fall in the acceptable Ph range of 6- 8.5 and also inclusive of multitudes of
microorganisms harmful for internal human contact. Studies have proven that this pH
is usually caused by the nitrification in combination hence low pH in the waste water.
Studies have proven that this pH is usually caused by the nitrification in combination
with low alkalinity in the waste water. Lastly, the pH of tap water should be slightly
alkaline as a result of addition of some chemicals during treatment to make it safe for
drinking as it helps in the neutralization of acids in the stomach ( Wadowsky,1995).
The pH of tap water was hence measured and gave out alkalinity results of 8.54± 0.,
clearly indicating a success of the exercise at hand.
TDS or Total Dissolved Solids is a measure of the total ions in solution. The TDS for
distilled, tap and waste water was calculated as 0.8360± 0.0082mg/L, 92.76 ±0.0082mg/L
and 1817.20±0.75 mg/L. The palatability of drinking- water has been rated by panels of
tasters in relation to its TDS level as follows: excellent, less than 300 mg/litre; good, between
300 and 600 mg/litre; fair, between 600 and 900 mg/litre; poor, between 900 and 1200
mg/litre; and unacceptable, greater than 1200 mg/litre. With this information, it is therefore
safe to mention that the TDS for both distilled and tap water are safe for human consumption.
However, the calculated TDS for waste water being 1817,20±0.75 mg/L is not safe for
consumption as it exceeds the recommended limit of the acceptable TDS safe for drinking. It
also exceeds the limit proposed of 500mg/L proposed by the World Health Organisation.
Higher TDS indicates dissolution of substances in the water sample and the reduction of these
substances can be done by the application of reverse osmosis as water will be forced in a
semi- impermeable membrane leaving impurities behind and providing pure water, (Devesa,
R. and Dietrich, A.M., 2018).
6. CONCLUSION
The electrical conductivity of distilled, tap and waste water were recorded as 1.427 ±
0.0172 µS/cm, 154.60 ± 0.0082µS/cm and 3028.7 ± 1.2 µS/cm respectively. Again,
the pH of distilled water, waste water and tap water was measured as 7.243±0.048 ,
4.32± 0.0082 and 8.5000± 0.0094. Lastly the water samples TDS were calculated as
0.836± 0.0082 mg/L, 92.76± 0.0082 mg/L and 1817.20±0.75 mg/L respectively.
Waste water was therefore considered not safe for human consumption.
6|Page
7. REFERENCE
a. De Sousa, D.N.R., Mozeto, A.A., Carneiro, R.L. and Fadini, P.S., 2014.
Electrical conductivity and emerging contaminant as markers of surface
freshwater contamination by wastewater. Science of the total
environment, 484, pp.19-26.
b. Buates, J., Chawakitchareon, P. and Anuwattana, R., 2014. The effect of ph in
the tap water on nutrient release from slow release fertilizers. In Advanced
Materials Research (Vol. 931, pp. 754-757). Trans Tech Publications Ltd.
c. De Sousa, D.N.R., Mozeto, A.A., Carneiro, R.L. and Fadini, P.S., 2014.
Electrical conductivity and emerging contaminant as markers of surface
freshwater contamination by wastewater. Science of the total
environment, 484, pp.19-26.
d. Devesa, R. and Dietrich, A.M., 2018. Guidance for optimizing drinking water
taste by adjusting mineralization as measured by total dissolved solids
(TDS). Desalination, 439, pp.147-154.
e. Hamann, S.D. and Linton, M., 2001. Electrical conductivity of water in shock
compression. Transactions of the Faraday Society, 62, pp.2234-2241.
f. Ji, Z., 2018. Treatment of heavy-metal wastewater by vacuum membrane
distillation: effect of wastewater properties. In IOP Conference Series: Earth
and Environmental Science (Vol. 108, No. 4, p. 042019). IOP Publishing.
g. Jones, R.G., 2002. Measurements of the electrical conductivity of water. IEE
Proceedings-Science, Measurement and Technology, 149(6), pp.320-322.
h. Thirumalini, S. and Joseph, K., 2009. Correlation between electrical
conductivity and total dissolved solids in natural waters. Malaysian Journal of
Science, 28(1), pp.55-61.
i. Prieto, F., Barrado, E., Vega, M. and Deban, L., 2001. Measurement of
electrical conductivity of wastewater for fast determination of metal ion
concentration. Russian journal of applied chemistry, 74(8), pp.1321-1324.
j. Wadowsky, R.M., Wolford, R., McNamara, A.M. and Yee, R.B., 1995. Effect
of temperature, pH, and oxygen level on the multiplication of naturally
occurring Legionella pneumophila in potable water. Applied and
environmental microbiology, 49(5), pp.1197-1205.
