Introduction:

The hardness of water is caused by the presence of metal ions Ca+2,Mg+2

and other polyvalent metal ions.
There are three types of the water hardness.
-Carbonate hardness: is caused by the presence of carbonate (CO3and bicarbonate (HCO3-) anions.
-Non-carbonate hardness
is caused by the presence of the calcium and magnesium chlorides,
sulphates, nitrates and other soluble salts.
-Total hardness
is caused by the amount of the calcium and magnesium ions.

Complexometric Titration:
The titration is based on the reaction between the Lewis acid and
Lewis bases.
T+:L -> T:L
Lewis acids and bases are based on the to form a complex. The
main character of the complexometric titration is base. Base
donates two electrons to form the bond with the acid.
The
most
common
complexometric
titrant
is
ethyenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA). It can be used for the
determination of all the metal cations except the alkali metals, and
also this titration can be used for the analysis of the many anions.
The method is based on the reactions between the metal ions and
the ethyenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA) in the presence of the
Eriochrome Black T as an indicator.
When we add Eriochrome black T (indicator) to the sample, the
magnesium ions form the complex with an indicator.
And on the other side free metal ions also start to form a complex
with EDTA and leaving the dyes indicator.
After the addition of appropriate amount of EDTA to the solution,
EDTA displaces the indicator and forms more stable complex with
metal ion. The ligand displacement (it means that an ion or
molecule attached to a metal atom by coordinate bonding). This
displacement is indicated by a colour change from red to blue.

Gdansk University Of technology

Procedure:
Our task during the laboratory exercise was to determine of the total
water hardness by complexometric titration(EDTA).
We prepared our place: volumetric flask 250ml, three beakers 250
ml, a digital burette ,a pipette 25 ml, a magnetic stir bar, EDTA
solution, Eriochrome Black T , ammonium buffer at pH 10 and
distilled water.
We prepared the 250 ml volumetric flask and gave it to the
supervisor for collect our sample.
We introduced the distilled water to obtained solution up to the
mark in a volumetric flask.
And we mixed the solution well.
Then we transferred the 50 cm3 of the solution to the beaker.
After we added 1 ml of the ammonium buffer at pH 10 and little of
the Eriochrome Black T.
Then we placed the magnetic stir bar in the beaker, and placed the
beaker on the stir plate and we controlled the stirring.
After that we titrated dissolved sample with EDTA solution until the
solution of interest starts to turn from wine red to sky blue.
We repeated this procedure for two more times.

Calculations: We used the following equation to calculate the Total water

hardness of water.
X=VEDTACEDTA112 [N]

First liquid sample

X=VEDTACEDTA112 [N]
Whereas,
VEDTA=4.81 ml
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3

CEDTA=0.005 mol /dm

X=4.81 0.005112.16 [N]

X=2.70 [N]

Second liquid sample

X=VEDTACEDTA112 [N]
Whereas,
VEDTA=5.03 ml
3
CEDTA=0.005 mol /dm
X=5.03 ml 0.005 112.16 [N]
X= 2.82 [N]
Third liquid sample
X=VEDTACEDTA 112 [N]
Whereas,
VEDTA=5.03 ml
3
CEDTA=0.005 mol /dm
X=5.03 ml 0.005112016[N]
X= 2.82 [N]

Mean value of water hardness in German

Degree
X=
X=

x 1 + x 2+..+ x n
n

2.70+2.82+2.82
3

X =2.78 [N]

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Uncertainty of our results

PU =

ts
N
Where,
PU - uncertainty
t - t-Student value taken from table at 95%
s - calculated standard deviation
N - number of measurements

First we must calculate the standard deviation for the equation

number 1.

S=

(X i X)2
i=1

n1

Where,
n- number of data
X- mean value of xi
xi- values of data for different measurement.

S=

( 2.702.78 ) + ( 2.822.78 ) + ( 2.822.78 )

2

S=0.0692
PU =

4,3030,0692
= 0.1721
3

PU = 0.1721

Our Final result is

2.8 0.2 [N ]

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Gdansk University Of technology

Conclusion
We have determined the total water hardness of given solution by
complexometric titration (EDTA). Also, on the base of the obtained
results of complexometric titration, we have calculated the mean
value of water hardness in German degrees and measurement
uncertainty.
Sources of errors:
Misjudging the color of the indicator near the end point.
Different people have different sensitivity to colors. This is
not the same as being color blind, although these things are
related.
Using contaminated solutions - for example, when two
different solutions are transferred using the same pipette
and pipette is not rinsed with distilled water in between.
Misreading the volume - it can happen at any moment. For
example, this can be a problem with observation of the
result in digital burette screen and also observation of the
solution at when it changes color from wine red to sky blue
in same time. It can be difficult to take the exact value.
Possible adding volume of titrant EDTA faults and possible
causes.
Volume
large

too

Volume
too
small
Other causes

Drop remaining on the titrating tube.

Dispensed too fast or irregularly

Filling valve/titrating tube leaking

Instrument calibrated wrongly

Rough titration

Temperature adjustment between

instrument, room and solution
temperature not completed

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