Name: ________________________________________ Date Submitted: _________________
Course/Year/Section: ____________________________ Rating: ________________________
Prelab Assignment 5
Water: Its Properties and Purification
1. Define water pollution.
Water pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into
water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, making the water unsafe for its
intended use. These contaminants can include various pollutants like chemicals, heavy metals,
pathogens, nutrients, and other substances that degrade water quality and harm aquatic
ecosystems, as well as endanger human health.
2. Differentiate filtration from chemical adsorption.
Filtration:
Filtration is a physical process that involves the passage of water through a porous
material or medium to remove suspended particles. This method is effective in removing larger
particles such as sediments, debris, and some microorganisms.
Chemical Adsorption:
Chemical adsorption is a process where contaminants in water are removed by
attracting and binding them to the surface of a solid material (adsorbent). This is achieved
through chemical interactions between the adsorbent and the contaminants. Activated carbon is
a common adsorbent used in water treatment.
3. Give two other water purification processes aside from filtration and chemical adsorption.
Distillation:
Distillation is a process that involves heating water to create vapor and then cooling the
vapor to get purified water. This method is effective in removing impurities that have higher
boiling points than water, leaving them behind as the water turns into steam.
Chlorination:
Chlorination involves the addition of chlorine or chlorine compounds to water to
disinfect and kill or deactivate harmful microorganisms. It is a widely used method for treating
drinking water and controlling the spread of waterborne diseases.
4. What test can be performed to determine if the water is contaminated with humans or animals?
Microbial Testing:
Microbial testing, such as the presence of coliform bacteria, is commonly used to
determine if water is contaminated with human or animal fecal matter. Coliform bacteria are a
group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, and their presence in water
can indicate contamination by fecal material.
DNA Testing:
DNA testing can be employed to identify specific genetic markers from human or animal
sources. This method can provide more targeted information about the contamination source,
helping to determine whether the water is affected by human or animal waste.
Name: ________________________________________ Date Submitted: _________________
Course/Year/Section: ____________________________ Rating: ________________________
Laboratory Report Experiment 2
Water: Its Properties and Purification
Objectives
● Design and build a water filtering system.
● Compare the properties of water before and after filtration.
Data/Observations
Gray Water
Properties before After 1st Filtration After 2nd Filtration
Filtering
Odor Unpleasant, earthy odor Faint residual odor Odor-free
Murky and discolored Clear and slightly Clear and transparent
Appearance
improved
Acidity Slightly acidic Neutral pH Neutral pH
Answers to Questions
1. What changes occurred to the properties of the gray water as it was filtered?
Odor: The initial unpleasant, earthy odor of the gray water significantly diminished after the first
filtration and was eliminated after the second filtration.
Appearance: The initial murky and discolored appearance improved notably after the first
filtration and became clear and transparent after the second filtration.
Acidity: The slightly acidic nature of the gray water was reduced, reaching a neutral pH after the
second filtration.
2. Does the gray water become “clean”? What properties told you it was or it was not “clean”?
Yes, the gray water can be considered "clean" after the filtration process. The absence of
odor, the clear and transparent appearance, and the attainment of a neutral pH indicate the
successful removal of impurities. The properties that confirmed its cleanliness include:
Odor-free: No detectable unpleasant smell after the second filtration.
Clear and transparent appearance: Signifying the removal of suspended particles and
impurities.
Neutral pH: Indicating the neutralization of acidity and achieving a balanced water
composition.
3. Based on your findings, what would you suggest to engineers designing filtration systems and
water recycling methods?
Engineers designing filtration systems should consider multiple stages of filtration to
achieve comprehensive purification, as observed in this experiment.
Incorporating mechanisms to address odor removal, such as activated carbon filters, can be
effective.
Continuous monitoring and adjustments to filtration parameters may optimize the system's
performance.
Emphasize the importance of addressing multiple water properties (odor, appearance,
acidity) for a holistic approach to water purification.
Consider the environmental impact of filtration methods and aim for sustainability in water
recycling processes.
Observations:
Odor:
Gray Water before Filtering: The initial gray water has an unpleasant, earthy odor.
After 1st Filtration: The odor is noticeably improved, with only a faint residual smell remaining.
After 2nd Filtration: The water is now odor-free, indicating successful reduction of the initial
odor.
Appearance:
Gray Water before Filtering: The initial appearance is murky and discolored.
After 1st Filtration: Significant improvement in clarity, but some discoloration remains.
After 2nd Filtration: Clear and transparent water, demonstrating effective removal of impurities.
Acidity:
Gray Water before Filtering: The gray water is slightly acidic.
After 1st Filtration: Acidity is reduced, and the water approaches a neutral pH.
After 2nd Filtration: The water achieves a neutral pH, indicating successful neutralization of
acidity.
Analysis:
The water filtering system effectively improved the properties of the gray water. The odor was
successfully reduced through two filtration stages, resulting in odor-free water. The appearance showed
significant clarity improvements after each filtration stage, ultimately achieving a clear and transparent
state. Acidity levels were successfully neutralized, contributing to the overall purification of the water.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the designed water filtering system demonstrated effectiveness in purifying the gray
water. The successful removal of odor, improvement in appearance, and neutralization of acidity
highlight the system's capabilities. Further optimizations may be explored to enhance specific aspects of
the filtration process, but overall, the experiment achieved the intended objectives.
