Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

Name: Date Performed: November 04, 2023

Manuel, Keneth Jed

Manuel, Rojan
Maralit, Juan Paulo
Pambid, Xrisha Mae

Course/Section: CHM031L / C06 Date Submitted: November 10, 2023

Group No: 6 Instructor: Prof. Edgar Magas

REPORT SHEET

Experiment 5
Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

A. Water Purification Techniques

Table 5.1. Observations of the dirty water at different water purification methods.

Water Purification Methods Observations

After vigorously shaking the sample water for 30

seconds and pouring it in plastic cups back and forth, no
visible changes in its appearance were observed from the
dirty water.

Aeration

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Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

After mixing a coagulant to the dirty water, no

significant changes in its appearance were observed as
well. The water did turn slightly lighter. This may have been
caused by the coagulant that was mixed into the dirty
water.

Coagulation

After letting the dirty water set for quite a while, it

was observed that the solid particles that coagulated from
the previous step settled at the bottom of the container.
The water above the sediment became much clearer than
before, but still translucent.

Sedimentation

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Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

After making the filtration set-up, the water sample

was poured in while avoiding the sediments from being
poured as well. After quite some time, it can be observed
that the collected water after filtering became much
clearer and transparent than before. No solid matter
particles were observed from the water sample. However,
the water is slightly yellowish, indicating that there is a
slight error in the filtration set-up.

Filtration

Note: Make sure to include images of the water sample in each step. Also include the image
of the created filtration set-up.

Classify the different water purification methods used in Table 5.1. under physical, chemical
or biological treatment.

Water Purification Methods Classification

Aeration Physical Treatment
Coagulation Chemical Treatment
Sedimentation Physical Treatment
Filtration Physical Treatment

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Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

Enumerate the different types of water pollutants that can be removed by the different water
purification methods.

Water Purification Methods Water Pollutants Eliminated

- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Aeration - Dissolved Gases: e.g., Radon, CO2
- Dissolved Iron and Manganese
- Odors
- Suspended Solids
- Natural Organic Matter (NOM)
Coagulation - Colloidal Particles
- Pathogens and Bacteria
- Heavy Metals
- Color-Causing Compounds
- Suspended Solids
- Heavy Metals
Sedimentation - Flocs and Coagulated Particles
- Colloidal Particles
- Particulate Organic Matter
- Pathogens
- Suspended Solids
- Dissolved Particles
- Bacteria and microorganisms
- Heavy Metals
Filtration - Organic Compounds
- Taste and Odor Compounds
- Colloids
- Minerals
- Turbidity
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protozoa
Disinfection - Algae and Fungi
- Pathogens
- Organic Matter
- Odor and Taste Compounds

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Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

B. Dissolved Oxygen Measurements

Explain the relationship between the amounts of organic pollutants and the concentration
of the dissolved oxygen in water.

The amounts of organic pollutants and the concentration of the dissolved oxygen in the
water are inversely related. When the quantity of organic pollutants in the water rises, the
concentration of dissolved oxygen tends to decrease, and vice versa. This phenomenon is
attributed to the presence of microorganisms that feed on organic materials entering the bodies
of water, such as sewage and agricultural runoff. During their consumption of organic
contaminants through aerobic respiration, these microorganisms utilize dissolved oxygen in the
water as a source of fuel. With the increase of organic pollutants, the demand for dissolved
oxygen increases as well. This is known as the biological oxygen demand. Because of high levels
of the demand, the rate of oxygen consumption increases. This heightened demand surpasses
the rate of oxygen replenishment through atmospheric diffusion and photosynthesis by aquatic
plants, resulting in a significant reduction in the concentration of dissolved oxygen.

In summary, having lots of organic pollutants, will decrease the concentration of

dissolved oxygen, and vice versa. This is due to the microorganisms in the organic pollutants that
needs oxygen to breakdown organic materials. With the increase of oxygen consumption, it
results in higher biological oxygen demands. This phenomenon results in having a low
concentration of dissolved oxygen.

Give at least three factors that affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water?
Briefly explain each factor.

There are multiple factors that affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water.
Temperature, depth of the water, salinity, atmospheric pressure, and organic matter are some
of the factors that affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen.

Temperature affects the water by decreasing its oxygen solubility due to increased
temperatures. This indicates that warmer water can hold less dissolved oxygen, while cooler
water can hold more dissolved oxygen. Furthermore, due to the increase of temperature, the
aquatic organisms in the water require more oxygen. Therefore, as the temperature increases,
the reduced oxygen solubility in the water and the increased oxygen demand from aquatic
organisms will result in having a low concentration of dissolved oxygen. It shows that the
temperature and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water have an inverse relationship.

The depth of the water also influences the concentration of dissolved oxygen in it. As the
depth of the water increases, the concentration of dissolved oxygen decreases. This indicates
that the depth of the water and the concentration of dissolved oxygen are inversely related. In
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Experiment 5: Water Purification and Dissolved Oxygen Determination

shallow waters, the concentration of dissolved oxygen is much higher. This is because waves
created by the winds dissolve the atmospheres’ oxygen through a process called aeration.
Aquatic plants in shallow light-filled waters also increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen,
through photosynthesis. However, deep bodies of water have lower concentration of dissolved
oxygen. This is because no waves occur in deep bodies of water, which results in no occurrence
of aeration. Additionally, few aquatic plants are present in deep bodies of water as well. This
results in having no occurrence of photosynthesis in the water.

Salinity affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen by influencing the water’s ability to
hold gases. The solubility of oxygen in water is inversely related to salinity; as salinity increases,
the capacity of water to hold dissolved oxygen decreases. When salts dissolve in water, they
disrupt the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. Salinity essentially competes with
gases, like oxygen, for space in the water. As salinity increases, the concentration of dissolved
oxygen decreases, and vice versa. In general, freshwater has a higher oxygen capacity than
saltwater.

Higher atmospheric pressure, associated with lower elevations, enhances the solubility of
oxygen in bodies of water, allowing them to retain more dissolved oxygen. This phenomenon is
explained by Henry's Law, stating that as atmospheric pressure increases, so does the ability of
water to hold gases. In contrast, at higher elevations with lower atmospheric pressure, bodies of
water have reduced oxygen solubility, leading to lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen. This
indicates that water streams from higher elevations will generally have less dissolved oxygen,
while water streams from lower elevations will have more dissolved oxygen.

Lastly, the amount of organic matter affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen as
well. Just like what was said from the previous question, the microorganisms in the organic
matter require oxygen to breakdown the organic materials. This results in having a high demand
for dissolved oxygen, which then results in increased rates of oxygen consumption. When the
biological oxygen demand exceeds the rate of oxygen replenishment, it results in having low
levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. This indicates that the amount of organic matter and the
concentration of dissolved oxygen are inversely related.

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