1.

Introduction Water quality is based on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water.

Therefore water quality analysis is the determination of the condition of water with regard to human consumption, industrial and domestic use as well as environmental water quality. Actually, water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human uses such as sewage dispersion, industrial pollution. Apparently, the UTMs lake seems to not be in a good condition. The water is cloudy, indicating high turbidity and it also gives out unpleasant smell. These current conditions seem to be a hindrance towards the students activities and need to be taken care. 1.2 Objective of Experiment To analyze the quality of lake water in UTM by conducting turbidity test, pH test, conductivity test and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) test in order to improve students activities. 1.3 Scope of Experiment The four tests will be conducted with only on a small amount of water taken from UTMs lake. However, the result will be representing the whole lake. 1.4 Significance of Experiment To determine the lake water in UTM is considered as polluted as we compare the tests result with the standard values.

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2.0

Literature review Water quality is based on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water.

Therefore water quality analysis is the determination of the condition of water with regard to human consumption, industrial and domestic use as well as environmental water quality. Water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human uses such as sewage dispersion, industrial pollution. It is often important to analyse the quality of water after natural disaster because epidemics precede such calamities. This is usually carried out to ensure that water is safe and free from contaminates that arise because of the disturbance in ecosystem. We can measure quality of water through many ways such as conductivity, pH value, and BOD, turbidity and total suspended solid (TSS). Conductivity is a measure of the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electric current. This ability depends on the presence of ions; on their total consentration, mobility and valence; and the temperature of measurement. Most problems in obtaining good data in conductivity monitoring equipment are related to electode fouling and to inadequated sample circulation. Conductivities grater than 10.000 to 50.000mhos/cm or less than about 10 mhos/cm may be difficult to measure with usual measurement electronic and cell capacitance.

Measurement of pH is one of the most important and frequently used test in water chemistry. Practically every phase of water supply and wastewater treatment e.g., acid-base neutralization, water softening, precipitation, coagulation, disinfection, and corrosion control, is pH dependent pH is used in alkalinity and carbon dioxide measurements and many other acidbase equlibria. At a given temperature the intensity of the acidic or basic character of a solution is indicated by pH or hydrogen ion activity.

The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) determination is an empirical test in which standardized laboratory procedures are used to determine the relative oxygen requirements of waste waters, effluents, and poluted waters. The test measures the molecular oxygen utilized during specified incubation period for the biochemical degradation of organic material (carbonaceous demand) and the oxygen used to oxidize inorganic material such as sulfides and ferrous iron. The seeding and dilution procedures provide an estimate of the BOD at pH 6,5-7,5.

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Turbidity in lakes, reservoirs, channels, and the ocean can be measured using a Secchi disk. This black and white disk is lowered into the water until it can no longer be seen; the depth (Secchi depth) is then recorded as a measure of the transparency of the water (inversely related to turbidity). The Secchi disk has the advantages of integrating turbidity over depth (where variable turbidity layers are present), being quick and easy to use, and inexpensive. It can provide a rough indication of the depth of the euphotic zone with a 3-fold division of the Secchi depth, however this cannot be used in shallow waters where the disk can still be seen on the bottom. Total suspended solid (TSS) of a water sample is determined by pouring a carefully measured volume of water (typically one litre; but less if the particulate density is high, or as much as two or three litres for very clean water) through a pre-weighed filter of a specified pore size, then weighing the filter again after drying to remove all water. Filters for TSS measurements are typically composed of glass fibres. The gain in weight is a dry weight measure of the particulates present in the water sample expressed in units derived or calculated from the volume of water filtered (typically milligrams per litre or mg/L).

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3.0 3.1

Methodology Turbidity The turbidity meter was switched on and warmed up for a while. The empty cell holder

was in closed and empty condition. The water sample were poured into the sample cell, inserted into the cell holder and closed with light lid. The reading for each 0, 20, 200 and 2000 NTU were taken. 3.2 pH Meter The pH meter was switched on. Probe was placed into the water sample and the reading was taken. The probe was make sure to be rinsed before taken the reading. 3.3 Conductivity The probe was placed into the water sample. Mode was pressed to switch on the machine, rotated towards `red line`. The red line button was adjusted to the respective line with the red color on meter. The button rotated toward the temperature to get temperature reading of water sample, the upper button was adjusted to the same temperature as water sample. The button was rotated to the salinity and ensures the salinity reading of water sample was S%. After that, the button was rotated to conductivity mode, the correct scale was selected for the reading, depends on the water sample whether at scale of 100, 10 or 1. Conductivity unit is in umhos. Finally, the button was rotated toward `off` and placed the probe into distilled water. 3.4 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Firstly, the dilution was prepared from 1 mL of CaCI2, 1 mL FeCI3.6H2O, 1mL MgSO4.7H2O and 1mL of phosphate buffer. The water sample was prepared in different bottles for 50 mL, 100 mL and 100% water sample. The dilution was added to fill up the bottle containing water sample. Next, the DO was measured for each bottles and recorded as D1. The first step is the button was rotated to ZERO and O2 ZERO until the reading is stable at 0 mg/L. Ensure that the button was unlocked. Then, the probe is put into the reference sample neatly to obtain 100% saturated air. The button was locked and immediately the probe is put into the water sample and wait till constant reading. Finally, the bottles was covered with aluminum foil and keep for five
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days in an incubator. All the steps was repeated after five days and the DO reading at day five was recorded as D2. The result for BOD was calculated by using the formula.

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4.0

Results

Table 4.1: Data for BOD Test (21st November 13 until 26th November 13) No 1 2 3 Sample size (mL) 300 100 50 Initial DO reading (D1) 8.89 8.46 8.30 Final DO reading (D2) 4.02 7.41 7.53 BOD (mg/L) 4.87 2.31 6.29

Table 4.2: Overall data for water quality parameters Parameter pH Salinity (%) Conductivity (S/cm) Temperature (C) Turbidity (NTU) Reading 6.43 0.2 100 26 20.8

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Sample Calculations

P=

BOD = i. 300 mL water sample

P=

= 1,

BOD =

= 4.870 mg/L

ii.

100 mL water sample

P=

= 0.333,

BOD =

= 3.153 mg/L

iii.

50 mL water sample

P=

= 0.167,

BOD =

= 4.61 mg/L

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5.0

Discussion For the water sample in the experiment based upon the temperature of the turbidity

(NTU) was about 20.8 at the range of 200. The turbidity is basically to measure the clarity of water. High turbidity meaning that the water is more cloudy and low turbidity is vice versa. For the turbidity test, the level of turbidity obtained and compared according to the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia, shown that it will be classified into first class to second class A. Literally meaning, first class to the second class will indicate that, water in the experiment was coming from the conservation of natural environment, in case for supplying the water; treatment is necessary though. In addition the range of NTU of 20.8 is in between the two class also shows that the water resources which came from the lake is quite dangerous and sensitive towards aquatic species but it still can be considered as safe since it is in between this two classes. As conclusion for turbidity, it is preferred if the NTU of the water is in between 0.1 and 5. For the pH measurement of water quality, we found that the pH of the water sample that we took from the UTMs lake was about 6.43. This value has proved that the water sample was almost reaching the neutral level of pH 7. This value also remarks the condition of water sample from the lake. The close value of pH towards alkalinity in result as the region is quite rich in mineral. In assumption for the condition of the pH, the existence of high concentration of carbonates, bicarbonate and hydroxide ions from limestone provided enough of natural buffering capacity to neutralize the ions from the acid. As summary, pH of 6.43 is characterized in

second class in water quality index in Malaysia. This water sample need conventional treatment as it is also quite sensitive towards aquatic life. Water Quality Index also agree that the water from the lake is slightly polluted. The best pH value for domestic water usage is 7 and above (alkaline). From the experiment, the conductivity of the water sample used is quite high and it means that there is high amount of mobility ions. It shows that the water sample has high ability to conduct an electric current based on high amount of mobility ions. Basically, conductivity is an indirect measure of the presence of dissolved solids such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and also been used as an indicator of water pollution. Since only conductivity value being measured in this experiment, it can only shows the level amount of the mobility ions. Total dissolved solid test can be used in future as the extension for conductivity test.
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Based on the BOD test conducted, the BOD value calculated for 100% water sample is higher compared to the sample that being diluted and according to National Standard Water Quality, for the BOD5 of 4.87 mg/L can be categorized into class III. The water under this category can be defined on protecting common and moderately tolerant aquatic species of economic value. It means that the water from UTMs lake is not highly polluted and safe for aquatic life. The BOD for 100 mL sample should be higher than BOD for 50 mL sample. From the experiment, the result was not the same as expected. This might happen due to some errors that take place during conducting this experiment. There are significant different in the BOD value obtained in this experiment due to several errors. Firstly, there are bubbles present without noticing in the water sample that caused an error in Dissolved Oxygen (DO) reading. Next, the water sample in the bottle was left opened to air without the cover that allowed more oxygen dissolved and affected the results. More than that, the dilution sample was not well mixed and thus gave an incorrect value for the DO reading. The device to measure the DO reading was not correctly handled or used is also one of obvious error in BOD test. Finally, some precautions should be taken in order to reduce errors in this experiment. Seal the sample to prevent further oxygen dissolving in. Then, it is necessarily to shake the water sample before running the tests to ensure that the components in the water are well-mixed. Next, do not let the BOD bottle left opened to air without cover. Make sure that the apparatus is clean prior to use to avoid error. Understand the procedure on how to use the device related to the experiment is the most important step in order to get precise results.

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Conclusion Based on the result obtained from the test conducted it can be stated that UTMs lake is not highly polluted. By referring to the National Standard Water Quality UTMs lake can be classified into class III that supported by the result obtained from turbidity and BOD tests. The water may be used for water supply with extensive treatment and it also suit livestock drinking needs.

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References 1. Water quality analysis, retrieved on 28th October 2013, retrieved from http://putrowaterquality.blogspot.com/ 2. Water quality tests, retrieved on 28th October 2013, retrieved from http://www.sasta.asn.au/may08/adc/datalogging/DataSinglePagePDFs/ADCBookDatalog 13-23.pdf 3. WEPA, National Water Quality Standard for Malaysia, retrieved on 29th October 2013, retrieved from http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/law/malaysia/eq_surface.htm 4. Water online, retrieved on 29th October 2013, retrieved from http://www.wateronline.com/industrysegment/water-quality-analysis 5. Water sampling and analysis, retrieved on 29th October 2013, retrieved from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/2edvol3d.pdf

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Appendices

Turbidity Meter

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pH meter

Conductivity Measure

BOD Meter

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