Water hardness

Common impurities of water

When working in laboratories and hospitals, it’s crucial that any contaminants found in water are
removed immediately, before they cause any damage.
Each impurity carries its own risks to chemical and biological research, not to mention the
detrimental effect they cause to the quality of pure water. Here we discuss the 8 main types of
water contaminants, and how they can be prevented.
1.Microorganisms
Bacteria, algae and fungi all regularly interfere with sterile research applications. Bacteria can
adversely influence cell and tissue culture by competing at enzyme-active sites on substrates.
If free-floating bacteria form biofilms on surfaces, they can be extremely difficult to remove.
These biofilms can grow for several years, spontaneously releasing bursts of bacteria, along with
their associated endotoxins and nucleases. these nucleases then break down DNA and RNA in
samples, and the endotoxins will have a negative effect on the growth and function of cells.
2.Viruses - referred to as non-living nucleic acids – adversely affect tissue and cell growth.
They’re extremely small, with most of them falling between 0.01 – 0.3 microns, and they can
survive for long periods of time. Once they’ve been spotted in water, they should be removed as
soon as possible.
3.Pyrogens
For mammalian cell cultures, and the preparation of solutions or devices that will later have
contact with humans and other mammals, it’s crucial that the water used is pyrogen-free.
The most significant component of pyrogens – a form of endotoxin – is lipopolysaccharides
(LPS), which is derived from Gram-negative bacteria walls. If LPS gets into the blood or spinal
fluid, it can be toxic and cause a fever.
.4.Dissolved Inorganic Ions Silicates, chlorides, calcium, fluorides, magnesium, phosphates,
bicarbonates, sulphates, nitrates and ferrous compounds are all forms of dissolved inorganic ions.
The instability in water caused by these ions will negatively influence chemical and biological
reactions. Results include the formation of protein-protein and protein-lipid interaction, altering
enzymatic activity, and delaying the growth of cells and tissue.
5.Dissolved Organic Compounds These are derived from animal and plant decay, in addition to
any human activities that involve the introduction of alcohol, protein, pesticides, chloramine,
herbicides or detergents into the environment. Dissolved organic compounds interfere with high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography and fluoroscopy.
6.Dissolved Gases Water contains naturally dissolved carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen, but
these gases can alter the pH of lab water, which upsets the ionic balance. Concentrations of
oxygen and nitrogen can affect the rate of biochemical reactions; and high concentration of
dissolved gases can cause a bubble formation, which obstructs the flow through chromatography
columns and micro-channels. Dissolved carbon dioxide raises water acidity, reducing the capacity
of ion exchange resins in DI systems.
7.Suspended Particles When large suspended particles of clay, sand, silt or vegetation between 1
– 10µm are found in water, they cause turbidity and settle at the bottom. Suspended particles
can foul reverse osmosis membranes, filters and chromatography columns, especially if the
system stems from a reservoir or tank within the building.
8.Colloidal Particles Colloidal particles are much smaller than suspended particles, at just 0.01 –
1.0µm, and they don’t settle. Colloidal particles regularly interfere with analytical techniques, and
bypass ion exchange resins, which result in lower resistivity in DI water.
 Hardness of Water
In scientific terms, water hardness is generally the amount of dissolved calcium and
magnesium in water. But in layman's terms, you may notice water hardness when
your hands still feel slimy after washing with soap and water, or when your drinking
glasses at home become less than crystal clear.
Hard water is high in dissolved minerals, largely calcium and magnesium
Hard water, soap reacts with the calcium (which is relatively high in hard water) to
form "soap scum". When using hard water, more soap or detergent is needed to get
things clean, be it your hands, hair, or your laundry.
. When hard water is heated, such as in a home
water heater, solid deposits of calcium carbonate
are formed.
 vinegar washing is used for washing
The acidity of vinegar helps to dissolve mineral particles by
making them charged. These newly charged particles become
attracted to the positive and negative charges in water and can
be washed away easily.
General guidelines for classification of waters are: 0 to 60 mg/L
(milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61
to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and
more than 180 mg/L as very hard.
 Determination of hardness of water by EDTA
method
O
HO O
OH
N
N
HO
O OH
O
EDTA
Determination of hardness of water by EDTA method is one of the three main
methods for determination of hardness of water. EDTA means
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. This EDTA reagent can be forming edta-metal
complexes by the reaction with metal ions except for alkali metal ions. This reagent
can forms a stable complex with the alkaline earth metal like calcium ion and
magnesium ion in alkaline condition pH above 9.0. Therefore the total hardness of
water can be determination by edta titration method.
In this method buffer solution is used for attain suitable condition i.e pH level above
9 for the titration. Buffer solution preserve pH at a balanced position. In aqueous
solution edta exist as H2Y2- form. Hence edta react with alkaline earth metals as 1:1.
As a result for every mole of alkaline earth metal ion in water sample, one mole of
EDTA will be consumed during titration.
Reaction: H2Y2- + M2+ → MY2- + 2H+
During titration Eriochrome Black T is used as indicator. The indicator is red in color
when it is forms complexes with the metal ions and blue in color when it is free.
Reaction: MIn– + H2Y2- → HIn2- + MY2- + H+
Determination of hardness of water by EDTA method is father classified into four methods.
Ammonia Buffer procedure, Borate Buffer procedure, Low hardness procedure
Calcium hardness procedure.
Ammonia Buffer procedure: This type determination of hardness of water by EDTA
method is especially preferred for those water, where is unfamiliar composition, sewage
water, alkalinity or acidity high and for industrial waste water. This method can also be
used for normal water. A high capability buffer solution is used to conquer buffering
substance in the sample. It has mainly three disadvantages;
Utilize of ammonia buffer solution may perhaps not be acceptable if Nessler ammonia
determination are being carried out in the same room.
If the water sample contains high in calcium ion and bicarbonate ion, it is a affinity for
calcium carbonate to be precipitated.
The existence of magnesium in the titrant.
Borate Buffer procedure: Borate buffer method is a simpler among the determination of
hardness of water by EDTA method. This method is to overcome the limitation of ammonia
buffer method. This method does not liberate any ammonia; somewhat calcium carbonate
precipitated but not totally holds back. It is not suitable for those water; which is
unfamiliar water sample, contains acidity or high alkalinity, industrial waste and sewage.
Low hardness procedure: This is another type of determination of hardness of water by
EDTA method. This method is used for waters of low hardness less than 5 mg/l and also for
ionexchange effluent or other conditioning water.
DEGREE OF HARDNESS OF HARD WATER:
(1)The amount of hardness causing substances (soluble salts of calcium or magnesium)
in a certain volume of water measures the extent of hardness or degree of hardness.
(2) Hardness of water is always calculated in terms of calcium carbonate although this
is never responsible for causing hardness of water because of its insoluble character.
(3) The reason for choosing CaCO3 as the standard for calculating hardness of water is
the ease in calculation as its molecular weight is exactly 100.Thus the amount of various
hardness causing substances in terms of CaCO3 can be calculated on the basis of the
following relations.

Thus the various types of harnesses in a water sample may be calculated as below.
Temporary hardness =Hardness due to Ca(HCO3)2 + Hardness due to Mg(HCO3)2
Permanent hardness = Hardness due to CaCl2 + due to CaSO4 + due toMgCl2 + due
toMgSO4
Degree of hardness is usually expressed as parts per million (ppm) and thus may be
defined as the number of parts by weight of CaCO3 (equivalent to calcium and magnesium
salts) present in a million (106) parts by weight of water.

From the above definition, we can say that;

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE (1): Determine the degree of hardness of a sample

of water containing 30 ppm of MgSO4.
SOLUTION: 1 MgSO4 =1CaCO3
120 ppm = 100 ppm
Hence 30 ppm = 25 ppm Ans