1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1.1

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

1.2

INTRODUCTION

1.3

AIMS

1.4

THEORY

1.5

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

1.6

METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE

1.7

RESULTS

11

1.8

CALCULATIONS

12

1.9

DISCUSSION

14

2.0

CONCLUSIONS

15

2.1

RECOMMENDATIONS

15

2.2

REFERENCE

16

2.3

APPENDIX

16

ABSTRACT

This is the experiment for determine about the water properties from the sample that
we take from Tasik Seksyen 7, Shah Alam for our experiment. The experiment was conducted
to determine heavy metal metal that contain in water such as chlorine sulphate, chromium,
iron and phosphorus from the sample taken. The objective of this experiment to determine
whether the water sample that taken is reach the range of the dissolved heavymetal in water
when a certain volume is taken to be tested. From the result obtained, the quality of water and
safety can be determined. Chlorine, sulphate phosphorus, iron and chromiuwhich exist in the
sample of water are the pollutant that can be determine by using the Portable
Spectrophotometer. It also can be used to measure the wavelength and the mass of the
pollutant , according to the density shown by the apparatus. The heavy metal concentration
are determine by using its own type of chemical. For example, for the chlorine total ( mg/L
chlorine), phosphorus reactive ( mg/L phosphorus), iron (mg/L iron) and chromium
hexavalent ( mg/L chromium). The experiment is done completely and successfully.

INTRODUCTION

In our daily life, heavy metals are required by the body in a small amount,but int can
cause toxic in larger doses. Heavy metals in the environment are caused by air emissions
from coal- burning plants, smelters and other industrial facilities; waste incinerators, process
wastes from mining from mining and industry; and lead in household plumbing and old house
paints. Industry is not totally to blameas heavy metal can sometimes enter the environment
through natural processes. For example, in deposits of heavy metals can dissolves info
groundwater, potentially resulting in unsafe levels of this in water supplies in the area. Once
released to the environment, metals can remain for decades and senturies, increasing the
likehood of human exposure. You are required to bring any water sample from any sources
that may contain heavy metals and proposed the suitable methods for the heavy metal testing.
The test reading must comply with the Malaysian suitable methods for heavy metal testing.
The test reading must comply with the Malaysian Standard of Water Quality.
From the source that taken from http://www.webpadb.net/politicies/state/
malaysiariver.htm. A total of 1064 water quality monitoring within 146 river basins were
monitored in Malaysia. From the research, out of these 1064 monitoring stations, 619 were
found to be clean, 359 were slightly polluted and 86 were polluted. Station located upstream
were generally clean from those downstream were euther slightly polluted and polluted. The
major pollutants were Biochemichal Oxygen Demand (BOD), Suspended Solid (SS) and
Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N). In 2006, 22 river basins were catogirized pollute by BOD,
42 river basin by SS and 41 river basin by NH3-N. High BOD was contributed largely by
untreated or partially treated seawage and discharges from agro-based and manufacturing
industries. The main sources of NH3-N were domestic seawage and livestock farming, whilst
the source for SS were mostly earthworks and land clearing activities. Analysis of heavy
metals in 5613 water samples revealed that almost all samples complied with Class III,
National Water Quality Standards for arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium
(Cr), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) except iron (Pb) with 83% compliance.The statement shows the
reality of water qulity for the time like today. Here most of it is contaminated by heavy
metals, like lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and chlorine (Cl). The exposure and
existence of these heavy metals are main threat to human health and its been studied
extensively.

Human had used heavy metal for thousand year and although several adverse health
effect upon exposure of these hazardous metals are being informed to public awareness. The
situation nevertheless is harmful. On the contrary, roadways and automobiles are now
considered as large possible sources for such hazardous heavymetal. Zinc, copper and lead
are the most common heavy metal which by chance are release from road travels, which
accounts for at least 90% of the total metals in road runoff. As a matter of fact, heavy metals
can be very harmful to ones health if a drinking water containing such deadly metals is
consumed. The adverse circumstances include disturbance in growth and development,
trigerring cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage and in extreme cases causing fatal.
Research shows that youngster are more susceptible to be affected to the toxicity of the heavy
metals, as the rapidly developing body systems in foetus, infants and young children are far
more sensitive than the adults. The effects include lerning difficulties memory impairment,
damage to the nervous system, and behavioural problems such as hyperactivity and
aggressiveness. Irreversible brain damage results from overdose of the metals .

Therefore, human sre needed to be highly aware with the harmful effects from the
water containing heavy metals could bring to ones health. Heavy metal pollution is a quickly
growing problems for our oceans, lakes and rivers. It might be not biggest pollution problem
right now, but letting it goes away or to let it solve itself is not going to help the condition of
this problem. We need to be aware of the problems heavy metal creates, so we all, in our own
little ways, can contributes to the solutions. Heavy metal pollution is a threat to human health,
animals, plants, and planet itself., and its mainly caused by industrialization and its
consequences.

AIMS

The experiment is conducted mainly is to determine the dissolved heavy metals in the
water samples that we had taken from Tasik Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, Selangor. The heavy
metal that is experimented which is chlorine free, chlorine total, iron total, phosphorus
reactive ( orthophosphate) and sulphate.

THEORY

There so many water had been pollute can be found. Even in cities or countries that
claim to have healthy water supplies, still has the cases about polluted water because the local
water may contain bacteria that our body is not used to. By drinking unsafe water sources cab
spread serious diseases, such as potential water borne illnesses like Hepatitis A, Typhoid
Fever and schistosomiasis. Most of these diseases have different type of systems, but they all
result in abdominalpain, cramping and diarrhoea. Like Unitted State of America are one of
the countries that a operates numerous heavy metal industrial factories and have records of
polluted environment, which explains lots of news and report stating that most tap and well
water in that country is not safe for drinking purpose recently.

The heavy metals penetrate and pollute our natural water sources a long with toxic
bacteria and other chemicals, making people sick as well as causing long term health
consequences suaha s liver damage, canv\cer and other serious health problems. It is even
believes that almost all of our sources of water including municipal water system, wells,
lakes, rivers and even glacier contain some level of contamination even some brands of
bottled water have been found to be polluted and harmful in addition plastic chemical
leaching from the bottle.
As chlorine for the example. Chlorine is ussaually added to the water to deactivate
and destroy disease-causing microorganisms and is the most widely used as disinfectant in
the United State. It can react with naturally occurring organic compounds found in water
supply, which in turns produce hazardous compounds, known as disinfection by-produucts
(DBPs). Trihalomethanes (THMs) and halogatics are common DBPs. It is undeniably
potentially carcinogenic especially to organs such as kidney and liver. Due to this, federal
regulations in the United States of America require regular monitoring of the concentrations
of these compound in the distribution systems of municipal water systems. Nevertheless, the
WHO states that the risks to health from dbps are extremely small in comparison with
adequate disinfection. The Secondary Drinking Water regulations recommend a maximum
concentration of 250 mg/L for sulphate ions (SO42-).
Sulphate is in fact occurs in almost all natural waters. Sulphate is indeed one of the
major dissolved constituents in rainwater. High concentration of sulphate in drinking water
cause a laxative effect when combined with magnesium and calcium. Bacteria in fact attacks
and reduces sulfates causes the formation of hydrogen sulphide as (H2S). Phosphorus occurs
naturally in rocks and other mineraldepositss. Technically, the rocks release the phosphorus
as phosphate ions which are soluble in water and the mineralize phosphate compouds
breakdown. Phosphates (PO-43) are formed from this element. Phosphate occurs in living
and decaying plants and animals as free ions weakly chemically bounded in aqeous to
sediments and soils, or as mineralize compound in soils, rocks and sendiments. The
phosphorus is often scarce in the well- oxygenated waters and low levels of phosphorus
results in the limitation of production of fresh water systems. Phosphate are generally not
toxic to human and animal unless they are present in high levels of concentration. Phosphorus
pollution accelerates a process called eutrophication, which is essentially the process of a

lakes biological deattg due to deoleted bioavailable oxygen. (source from

http://www.seconline.org/phosphorus/background.html). The build up of phosphate in the
lake water or any surface water ecosystem leads to over production of lake or water body
which results in the imbalance in the nutrient and material cycling process. There will be
massive production of phytoplankton and therefore cause variety of problems ranging from
axonic water to toxic algal bloom as well as decrease in diversity, food supply and destroying
the habitats. Excessive growth of algal due to phosphorus pollution increase water treatmenr
costs, degrades fishing and boating activities as well as impacts tourism and property values.
The maximum contaminant level (MCLs) of iron is 0.3mg/L iron ingestion is not generally
unhealthty and absolute necessary in small amounts. However, research ha sfound that
exposure to high level of iron can lead to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Iron os often
included in supplement and enriched products. It is also contains in red meat, therefore easily
to be consumed.

APPARATUS / MATERIALS
Apparatus
-

Pour- thru Cell

Portable Spectrophotometer DR2400
250 ml Enlenmeyer flask
Clippers
25 ml graduated cylinder

Reagent
-

Sample water
DPD total Chlorine powder pillow
DPD Free Chlorine powder Pillow
Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Powder Pillow
Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow
Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent Powder Pilllow

PROCEDURE

Sample 1 : Chlorine, Total by using DPD Method

1. Hach Program touched, 80 Chlor.F & T program selected and Start button touched.
2. 10 ml of sample was filled a round sample cell.
3. The content of one DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow added to the sample cell (the
prepared sample). The sample cell for 20 seconds swirled to mix.
4. The timer icon was touch. Button OK touched. A three minute reaction period begin. Step
5 and 6 performed during this time period.
5. Another round sample cell with 10-mL of sample filled. (This was the blank). The sample
cell wiped and placed into the cell holder.
6. Zero touched and 0.00 mg/L Cl2 showed at display.
7. Within three minutes after the time beep, the prepared sample wiped and placed into the
cell holder.
8. Read touched. Result appear in mg/L Cl2.

Sample 2 : Clorine, Free by using DPD method

1. Hach Program touched, 80 Chlor.F & T program selected and Start button touched.
2. 10 ml of sample was filled a round sample cell ( the blank).
3. The blank wiped and Placed into the cell holder.
4. Zero touched and 0.00 mg/L Cl2 showed at display.
5. 10 ml of sample filled a second round.
6. The content of one DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow added to the sample cell (the
prepared sample). The sample cell for 20 seconds swirled to mix. Step 7 was proceeded
immediately.

7. Within 1 minute of adding the reagent, the prepared sample was placed into the cell
holder.
8. Read toched. Result apper in mg/L Cl2.

Sample 3 : Sulfate by using SulfaVer 4 Method

1. Hach Program touched, 680 Sulfate program selected and Start button touched.
2. 10 ml of sample was filled a sample cell cleanly.
3. The content of one SulfaVer4 Reagent Powder Pillow added to the sample cell.. (the
prepared sample). Swirled to mix.
4. The timer icon was touch. Button OK touched. A five minute reaction period begin. Do
not disturb the cell during this time.
5. A second sample cell (the blank) with 10-mL of sample filled.
6. When the timer beeps, the blank placed into the cell holder.
7. Zero touched, 0.00 mg/L SO42- showed at the display.
8. Within five minutes after the time beeps, the prepared sample placed into the cell holder.
Read touched. Result appear in mg/L SO42-.
9. The sample cells cleaned with soap and a brush.

Experiment D : Phosphorus, Reactive (Orthophosphate) by using PhosVer 3 ( Ascorbic Acid)

Method
1. Hach Program touched, 490 P React, PV program selected and Start button touched.

10

2. 10 ml of sample was filled a round sample cell.

3. The content of one PhosVer 3 phosphate Powder Pillow added to the cell. Immediately cap
and inverted to mix. (the prepared sample).
4. The timer icon was touch. Button OK touched. A two minute reaction period begin. If the
sample was digested using the Acid Persulfate digestion, a ten minute reaction period is
required.
5. Another sample cell (the blank) with 10-mL of sample filled.
6. When the timer beeps, the blank wiped and placed into the cell holder.
7. Zero touched, 0.00 mg/L PO43- showed at the display.
8. The prepared sample wiped and placed into the cell holder. Read touched. Result appear in
mg/L PO43-.

Sample 5: Iron, Total by using Ferro Ver Mehod

1. Hach Program touched, 265 Iron, Ferro Ver program selected and Start button
touched.
2. Fill a clean, 10 ml of sample was filled a round sample cell.
3. The content of one Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Powder Pillow added to the sample cell (the
prepared sample). The sample cell swirled to mix.
4. The timer icon was touch. Button OK touched. A three minute reaction period begin.
( Sample that contain rust should react for at least 5 minutes.
5. Another sample cell (the blank) with 10-mL of sample filled.

6. When the timer beeps, the blank placed into the cell holder.
7. Zero touched, 0.00 mg/L Fe showed at the display.

11

8. The prepared sample placed into the cell holder. Read touched. Result appear in mg/L Fe.

RESULT

Substance

Reagent

Observation

Range (mg/L)

Result

Chlorine, total

DPD total

Colourless

0.02 - 2.00

0.42 mg/L Cl2

chlorine

Bubbles

0.02 - 2.00

0.13 mg/L Cl2

powder pillow
Chlorine,free

DPD free

Colourless

Chlorine

Bubbles

powder pillow
Sulfate

Sulfa

ver

4 Slightly cloudy 2.00 - 70.0

reagent powder solution

pillow

9.00 mg/L SO42-

is

formed
Colourless

Phosphorus

Phos

reactive

phosphate

solution

powder pillow

formed

Iron

ver

3 Pale

Ferro ver Iron Light

reagent powder solution
pillow

SAMPLE CALCULATION

formed

blue 0.02 - 2.50

0.88 mg/L PO43-

is

orange 0.02 - 3.00

is

0.086 mg/L Fe

12

Sample 1 - Chlorine, Total (Cl2)

The concentration of Chlorine (Cl2) = 0.42 mg/L

The volume of a sample

The mass of Chlorine (Cl2)

= 10 ml/1000 = 0.01 L

= 0.42 mg/L x 0.01 L

= 4.2 x 10-3 mg

Sample 2 - Chlorine Free (Cl2)

The concentration of Chlorine Free (Cl2) = 0.13 mg/L

The volume of a sample

The mass of Chlorine Free (Cl2)

= 10 ml/1000 = 0.01 L

= 0.13 mg/L x 0.01 L

= 1.3 x 10-3 mg

Sample 3 - Sulfate (SO42-)

The concentration of Sulfate (SO42-) = 9.00 mg/L

The volume of a sample

= 10 ml/1000 = 0.01 L

13

The mass of Sulfate (SO42-)

= 9.00 mg/L x 0.01 L

= 0.09 mg

Sample 4 - Phosphorus, Reactive

The concentration of Phosphorus, Reactive = 0.88 mg/L

The volume of a sample

= 10 ml/1000 = 0.01 L

The mass of Phosphorus, Reactive

= 0.88 mg/L x 0.01 L

= 8.8 x 10-3 mg

Sample 5 - Iron Total (Fe)

The concentration of Fe

= 0.086 mg/L

The volume of a sample

= 10 ml/1000 = 0.01 L

14

The mass of Fe

= 0.086 mg/L x 0.01 L

= 0.0086 x 10-3 mg

DISCUSSION

Based on the results and data collected, there are few errors that might have been done.
This errors causes data collected distinct from theoretical data.
First, the reading for each sample is taken only once. An average value cannot be
obtained due to lack of instrument and long time consuming the experiment. This factors
evade from taking at least two readings for each sample, therefore the accuracy and precision
of the result cannot be obtained.
Second, the handling method of the round water sample may not done perfectly. This
cause the readings inaccurate. Any fingerprints or smudge imprinted on the outer surface of
the round water sample san become an unfavourably interference for the solutions to absorb
wavelengths of light in the spectrophotometer. Thus, the reading of concentration by the
instruments may not be accurate.

Samples are supposedly be immediately inserted into the spectrophotometer after being
poured in their corresponding reagents. Thus, any careless procedures may lead to inaccuracy
of the readings taken.

CONCLUSION

15

The concentration of chlorine total in the water sample is 0.42 mg/L Cl 2, Chlorine free is
0.13 mg/L Cl2, Sulfate is 9 mg/L SO42-, phosphorus reactive is 0.88 mg/L PO43-, and iron is
0.086 mg/L Fe. Based on the following data, the water sample is mostly concentrated with
sulfate and contains no chromium hexavalent due to the colourless solution formed,
indicating no change or reaction occurs to detect any presence of chromium in the water
sample. However, the readings and observation for phosphorus reactive and iron shows that
the samples requires extensive water treatment, as it might worriedly brings any health effects
to both humans and aquatic ecosystems.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Firstly, the sample must be analyzed immediately after collection and cannot be kept for
later analysis. This is because the heavy metals content of the water sample might differ from
the time it is collected until it is analyzed.
Next, the outside surface of the round water sample is recommend to wiped first before
inserted to the spectrophotometer. This is to ensure that there are no fingerprints on it which
might interfere the reading analysis.
In addition, the collection of the water sample is preferentially near the middle of the
water stream and at least at one arm's length of depth. So that most heavy metal are bounded
at inner depth at any water streams.
REFERENCES

http://www.water-research.net/glossary.htm

2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexavalent_Chromium

http://www.healthy-water-best-tittlers.com/heavy-metals-within-water-

hevymetals.htm
4

http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/water/chromium/chromium-and-water.htm

16

http://en.wikiedia.org/wiki/Chlorination

Sawyer, C. N., McCarty, P. L., and Parkin, G. F.(2003) Chemistry for Environmental

Engineering, 5th ed., McGraw Hill.

7
Beran , J. A (2010) Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry. 9 th ed.
John Wiley and Sons, INC.
8
Lide, D. R. (Ed.) (1990). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (70th Edn.). Boca
Raton (FL):CRC Press.
9
APHA. 1992. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 18 th ed.
American Public Health Aassociation, Washington, DC.
10
Water Quality Criteria,(1972) Environmental Studies Board, National Academy of
Sciences, http://www.h2ou.com/h2wtrqual.htm.

APPENDIX

DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow

DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow

17

Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Pillow Powder

PhosVer 3 phosphate Powder Pillow

SulfaVer 4 Reagent Powder Pillow