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Physical Water Quality

Parameters

Color

Water Quality Parameters - COLOR

In natural water, the color is most likely caused by

decomposition of natural organic substances and it

appears to be yellowish brown which is close to the
color of cobalt-platinum solution. Thus, the color is
measured using cobalt-platinum solution and the color
unit is expressed as mg/l platinum.
Anaerobic decomposition of organics:

CHONSP H2S + humus

In the presence of Fe and Mn leads to colored water
(Fe, Mn) + H2S = (FeS,MnS) Black Color
Different colors may appear in wastewater, especially in

industrial water (e.g. textile wastewater). It is difficult to

measure and report the color in industrial water.

Measurement of Color

Water Quality Parameters- COLOR

NESSLER TUBES - Color Comparison tubes

1 color Unit = 1 mg/L Co in 1/2 mg/L Pt

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Turbidity

Water Quality Parameters - TURBIDITY

Turbidity is caused by the fine particles that suspend

in water and scatter light. These particles are in

constant motion called the Brownian Movement
The turbidity of a water sample is compared to that of

a SiO2 solution and 1 turbidity unit (TU) is

equivalent to the turbidity of a 1 mg/L SiO2
suspension. This method was invented by Jackson,
thus the turbidity is often express as JTU(Jackson
Turbidity Unit).
If a turbidity meter is used, the scattered light

intensity is measured and the turbidity is expressed in

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit).

Measurement of Turbidity Jackson Turbidimeter

Water Quality Parameters- TURBIDITY

Jackson Turbidimeter
1 JTU = 1 mg/L SiO2 in water

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Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

Measurement of Turbidity Secchi Disk

Water Quality Parameters - TURBIDITY

Turbidity is also measured using a secchi disk
Depth of Visibility of Secchi Disk is determined and

becomes a measure of turbidity

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Taste and Odor

Water Quality Parameters - TASTE & ODOR

Taste and odor are only applicable to water quality.

Nobody will volunteer to find out the taste of a

wastewater sample.
Odor is due to gaseous products of anaerobic

decomposition: H2S (rotten eggs), NH3 (stale urine),

amines (fishy), mercaptans (skunk), skatole (fecal)
Medicinal WW contains significant odor
Usually the MDTOC (minimum detectable odor

threshold concentration) is determined on diluted

samples by a panel of people

Measurement of Odor

Water Quality Parameters - ODOR

Measurement of Odor

Water Quality Parameters - ODOR

MDTOC
= 10 + 2
2
= 6

Volume of air in the room = 10 m 3

Volume of Sample introduced when odor was detected = 2 m 3
MDTOC = Volume of fresh air + Volume of Sample
Volume of Sample

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Dissolve Oxygen

Water Quality Parameters - Dissolve Oxygen

Measure of the amount of O2 dissolved in water

which is a function of the temperature

O2 is a very important gas in water nedded by marine

organisms for respiration

DO range for fish survival: 4 mg/L and above
Measured using DO meters or iodometric titration
May also be expressed in terms of % saturation at a

given temperature; at ambient conditions DO is about

8 mg/L

Temperature

Water Quality Parameters - Temperature

Related with Thermal Pollution (due to high

temperature)
Source: Power Plants and CPI that use cooling water
Fish are susceptible to sudden changes in temperature

and will tend to migrate to cooler portions of a stream

Increase in temperature lowers DO of water
Increase in temperature increases metabolic rates of

microorganisms
High temperature favors synergistic reactions
Measured as Temperature Gradient or Change in

temperature/distance from the source

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Measure of Temperature

Water Quality Parameters - Temperature

T/ x 3 oC
33oC
30
50 m

In 2002, Pangasinan had the most number

of recorded fish kills. These incidents
occurred in Bolinao, Dagupan, and
Binmaley.

Total Solids

Water Quality Parameters- SOLIDS

TOTAL SOLIDS - Residue left

after water is evaporated to
dryness at 103-105 oC

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Total Solids

Water Quality Parameters- SOLIDS

Volatile & Non-volatile Solids

Water Quality Parameters- SOLIDS

Volatile Solids weight loss upon
ignition of total
solids at 550 oC
Non-Volatile Solids residue upon ignition
of total solids at 550 oC

TSS and TDS

Water Quality Parameters- SOLIDS

FILTERABLE

Total Settleable Solids

(TSS)
Floating Solids

Total Dissolved Solids

(TDS)
NON-FILTERABLE

Colloidal Solids

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Measurement of Solids

Measurement of Solids
1 mg/L = 1 mg of pollutant in 1 Liter water
Density of water = 1 g/mL at 4 oC
= 1000 g/L
= 1kg/L
1 Liter of water weighs 1 kg
1 mg/L = 1 mg of pollutant in 1 kg water
1 mg /L = 1 mg/kg
= 1 mg/1000 g
= 1 mg/1000000 mg
= 1 parts/ 1 million parts
1 mg/L = 1 ppm

Marcopper Disaster Boac River Marinduque

24 March 1996,
Loss of tailings from storage pit
through old drainage tunnel
Release of 2-3 million m3 of
mine tailings (no cyanide or
mercury)

Evacuation of 1200 residents.

Seriously affected approximately 700
families from 5 villages by loss of most
river crossings, loss of road
connections
Inundation of between 6 and 10
hectares of cropland used for banana
and other agricultural purposes.
Deposition of tailings in the upper
sections of the Makulapnit and Boac
Rivers
Loss of aquatic life, productivity and
beneficial use of the rivers for domestic
and agricultural purposes.
Cleanup costs = US$80 million

Tailings pipes from the Marcopper

mine in Marinduque entering the sea
at Calancan Bay, Philippines.
Credit: Catherine Coumans/MiningWatch Canada

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Marcopper Mining Corporation

spilled four million tons of waste
that killed nearby Boac River in
Marinduque.