ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to investigate the level of BOD in a sample, the
amount of DO in a BOD bottle and the pH meter and temperature. This experiment were
conducted in three sections. Before each experiment conducted, the sample volume and
titration catridge was selected from the tables. On the first experiment, two samples from
river and drain were selected and mix with Phenolphthalein Indicator Powder Pillow. Then,
sodium hydroxide was added using titrator and was swirled until light pink solutions appeared
before the digit displayed at the titrator was recorded and multiplied with multiplier. Then,
second experiment was conducted by adding the samples with Manganous Sulphate Powder
Pillow and Alkaline Iodide-Azide Reagent Powder Pillow into 300 ml BOD bottle and
inverted it several times. Sulfamic Acid Powder Pillow was added and inverted again before
sodium thiosulfate added into the solution while it was swirled until pale yellow. After dark
blue colour turns colourless by the addition of Starch Indicator, the digits at the titrator was
recorded. The last experiment, the pH and the temperature of the samples were recorded by
using electronic pH meter with thermometer.
The result for experiment using drain water the amount of carbon dioxide and dissolve
oxygen are 31.5 and 4.18 while in the experiment using river water are 38.5 and 2.22
repeectively. The temperature between the carbon dioxide and dissolve oxygen are 30.5 and
28.6 while the pH are 28.9 and 28.0 respectively. The water sources itself shows significance
relationship that the higher the number of digits, the more concentrations of carbon dioxide in
the sample.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract 1
Table of Contents 2
1.0 Introduction .. 3
2.0 Objective .. 3
3.0 Theory . 4-5
4.0 Diagram and Description of Apparatus .. 5-7
5.0 Experimental Procedures ... 7-9
6.0 Results and Discussions . 10-13
7.0 Sample calculations 13
8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations . 13-14
9.0 References 14-15
10.0 Appendices . 15

INTRODUCTION

Water quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical and biological
characteristics of water. It is defined in the Clean Water Act as the standard of purity that is
necessary for the protection of fish, shellfish and wildlife populations in the aquatic
environment, and for recreational uses in and on the water[1]. Most aquatic organisms need
oxygen to survive and grow. Some species require high dissolved oxygen such as trout and
stoneflies. Other species do not require high dissolved oxygen, like catfish, worms and
dragonflies. If there is not enough oxygen in the water the following may happen, death of
adults and juveniles, reduction in growth, failure of eggs/larvae to survive, change of species
present in a given waterbody.[2] Generally the chemical water quality tests include the
measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, hardness and organic
compounds. Hence, for the physical water quality the common test includes turbidity, colour,
odor, pH and the temperature of water being test. It is a measure of the condition of water
relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or
purpose.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to determine the amount of carbon dioxide in
two source of sample water. Sodium hydroxide and phenolphthalein were used to determine
the present of carbon dioxide. This experiment also to determine the amount of dissolved
oxygen in two source of sample water using 300 ml BOD bottle. Hence, this experiment also
to determine the temperature and pH of two source of sample water.

THEORY
The traditional significance of organic carbon in a river is the impact that it has on
dissolved oxygen. Therefore, it is generally measured using its oxygen demand, most
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commonly the chemical oxygen demand (COD) or carbonaceous biochemical oxygen

demand (BOD). Carbon has a fundamental role in water quality processes which cannot be
identified by BOD alone. For example , the fraction of carbon which will settle depends
(among other things) on the fraction which is solid. To calculate the amount of carbon dioxide
in sample water is by using the range specific information below.
Table 1: Range specific information
Range (mg/L as
CO)
10-50
20-100
100-400
200-1000

Sample volume (mL)

Titration cartridge (N

Multiplier

200
100
200
100

NaOH)
0.3636
0.3636
3.636
3.636

0.1
0.2
1
2

By using the information, the concentration of CO in sample water (mg/L CO) can be
calculated :
Digits multiplier
Digital titrator is used in order to get the digits.

The amount of dissolved oxygen in 300 mL BOD bottle (mg/L O) also can be found by using
volume multipliers table below.
Table 2 : volume multipliers
Range ( mg/L DO)

Volume (mL)

Titration Cartridge

Digit Multiplier
4

1-5
2-10
10

200
100
200

(N Na2S2O3)
0.2
0.2
2

0.01
0.02
0.1

The concentration of the O in sample water using 300 mL BOD bottle (mg/L O) can be
calculated by using the equation :
= Digits required Digit Multiplier
REAGENTS AND APPARATUS
EXPERIMENT 1: CARBON DIOXIDE TEST BY DIGITAL TITRATOR METHOD
USING SODIUM HYDROXIDE
REAGENTS
1. Phenolphthalein Indicator Powder Pillows
2. Sodium Hydroxide Titration Cartridge, 3.636 N
APPARATUS
1. Digital Titrator
2. Delivery tube for digital titrator
3. Erlenmeyer Flask,
4. Beaker 200ml
5. Platinum Series Combination pH electrode with temperature
EXPERIMENT 2: DISSOLVED OXYGEN TEST BY AZIDE MODOFICATION OF
WRINKLED METHOD
5

REAGENTS for 300ml BOD Bottle

1. Alkaline Iodide-Azide Powder Pillows
2. Manganous Sulfate Powder Pillows
3. Starch Indicator Solution
4. Sulfamic Acid Powder Pillows
5. Sodium Thiosulfate Titration Catridge, 0.2000 N
APPARATUS for 300ml BOD Bottle
1. Digital Titrator
2. Delivery tube for digital titrator
3. Graduated cylinder 250ml
4. Erlenmeyer Flask, 250ml
5. Beaker 200ml
6. 300ml BOD bottle with stopper
7. Clippers for opening pillows
8. Platinum Series Combination pH electrode with temperature
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
EXPERIMENT 1: CARBON DIOXIDE TEST BY DIGITAL TITRATOR METHOD
USING SODIUM HYDROXIDE
PROCEDURES:
6

1.A sample volume and titration cartridge were selected.

2. A clean delivery tube was inserted into the titration cartridge. The cartridge was attached to
the titrator.
3. The delivery knob was turned to eject air and a few of titrant was dropped. The counter to
zero was reset and wiped to tip.
4. A water sample was directly collected into the titration flask by filled to the appropriate
marked.
5. The content of one Phenolphthalein Indicator Powder Pillow was added. Swirl to mixed.
Pink color was formed because no carbon dioxide was presented.
6. The delivery tube was placed into the solution and the flask was swirled. The knob was
turned on the titrator to add titrant to the solution. The flask was continue swirled and titrant
was added until the color changes to a light pink color that persists for 30 seconds (pH 8.3).
The number of digits displayed on the counter was written.
7. The concentration of CO2 sample water was calculated using the multiplier of 1.
8. The solution was transferred into the beaker. The pH and the temperature was recorded
using Potassium Chloride Electrolyte Gel Cartridge in the Platinum Series pH Electrode.
9. Step 1 until 8 was repeated using different type of sample water and also different sample
volume and different titration cartridge.
EXPERIMENT 2: DISSOLVED OXYGEN TEST BY AZIDE MODIFICATION OF
WRINKLED METHOD
PROCEDURES:

1. A water sample in a clean 300ml BOD bottle was collected. The sample to overflow the
bottle for 2-3 minutes was allowed to make sure that air bubbles are not trapped.
2. The contents of one Manganous Sulfate Powder Pillow and one Alkaline Iodide-Azide
Reagent Powder Pillow were added.
3. The stopper was inserted immediately and without trapped air in the bottle. The bottle was
inverted several times to mixed. A flocculent precipitate was formed. It becomes orangebrown because oxygen was presented. The flocs were settled slowly in salt water. The settled
takes about five minutes.
4. The bottle was inverted several times again and waited for the flocs settled and the top half
of the solution was cleared again. To make sure the reaction of the sample and reagents was
completed wait until the floc settled.
5. The stopper was removed and the content of one Sulfamic Acid Powder Pillow was added.
The stopper was replaced without trapped air in the bottle. To mixed inverted for several
times. The flocs was dissolved and a yellow colour was leaved because oxygen was
presented.
6. A sample water and Sodium Thiosulfate Titration Cartridge was selected that corresponds
to the expected dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration.
7. A cleaned delivery tube was inserted into the titration cartridge. The cartridge was attached
to the titrator body.
8. The delivery knob was turned to eject a few drops of titrant. The counter to zero was reset
and the tip was wiped.

9. A graduated cylinder was used to measure the 100ml of sample volume. The sample
volume was transferred into a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask.
10. The delivery tube tip was placed into the solution and the flask was swirled while titrated
with sodium thiosulfate to a pale yellow color.
11. Two 1 ml droppers of Starch Indicator Solution was added and swirled to mixed. A dark
blue color was developed.
12. The titration was continued to a colorless end point. The number of digits required was
recorded.
13. The amount of dissolved oxygen content in water sample was calculated.
14. The solution was transferred into the beaker. The pH and the temperature of the solution
was recorded using Potassium Chloride Electrolyte Gel Cartridge in the Platinum Series pH
Electrode.
15. The step 1 until 14 was repeated for the other water sample and other sample volume and
also different titration Cartridge.

RESULTS
Source of water (i) : Penaga River
(First Attempt)
Test

Temperature
( C)

Carbon dioxide, 28.9

CO2
Dissolve oxygen, 28

pH

Sample
volume
(mL)
200

Titration
cartridge
(N NaOH)
3.636

Multiplier

6.51

Range
(mg/L as
CO2)
40.5

6.86

2.22

100

0.2

0.02

DO using 300
mL BOD bottle
(Second Attempt)
Test

Carbon
CO2

Temperature
(C)
dioxide, 28.6

pH

6.83

Range
(mg/L
as CO2)
38.5

Sample
volume
(mL)
200

Titration
cartridge
(N NaOH)
0.3636

Multiplier

0.1

Source of water (ii) : Drain water at UiTM Pulau Pinang

(First Attempt)
Test

Temperature
(C)

Carbon dioxide, 28.9

CO2
Dissolve oxygen, 28.3
DO using 300
mL BOD bottle

pH

Sample
volume
(mL)
200

Titration
cartridge
(N NaOH)
3.636

Multiplier

6.85

Range
(mg/L
as CO2)
43.0

6.74

5.4

200

0.2

0.01

pH

Sample
volume
(mL)
200

Titration
cartridge
(N NaOH)
0.3636

Multiplier

7.03

Range
(mg/L
as CO2)
31.5

4.78

4.18

100

0.2

0.02

(Second Attempt)
Test

Temperature
(C)

Carbon dioxide, 30.5

CO2
Dissolve oxygen, 28.9
DO using 300
mL BOD bottle

0.1

CALCULATION
1

Concentration of CO2 in sample water (mg/L CO2) = digits multiplier

Concentration of the O2 in sample water using 300 mL BOD bottle (mg/L O2)
= digits required digit multiplier

10

Penaga river
First attempt
1

40.5 1 = 40.5

111 0.02 = 2.22

Second attempt
1

385 0.1 = 385

Drain water at UiTM Pulau Pinang

First attempt
1

43.0 1 = 43.0

540 0.01 = 5.4

Second attempt
1

315 0.1 = 31.5

209 0.02 = 4.18

DISCUSSION
The importance of carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen test of sample water to
determine the chemical water quality of sample water from the range that had been decided
whether the sample water it good to use or not.

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Dissolved oxygen can present in water from the atmosphere or as a byproduct of the
photosynthesis of aquatic plant. The dissolved oxygen levels are higher in the summer and
during daylight hours because this is when photosynthetic organisms produce oxygen. Carbon
dioxide can present in water from the atmosphere or living thing organism that breath out
carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide react with water naturally, it create carbonic acid from the
mixture of both component.
The value of carbon dioxide concentration in penaga river is high compare with the
value obtained from literature. It means that the river has low oxygen amount. The value of
carbon dioxide concentration in drain water at UiTM Pulau Pinang is high too. It means that
both sample water cannot be used for human activities and aquatic life.
The value of dissolved oxygen concentration in penaga river and drain water at UiTM
Pulau Pinang are low compare with the value obtained from literature. Both sample water are
harmful to living things because amount of acid in water is high. As dissolved oxygen levels
in water drop below 5.0 mg/l, aquatic life is put under stress. The lower the concentration, the
greater the stress. Oxygen levels that remain below 1-2 mg/l for a few hours can result in
large fish kills.
The temperature in water has extremely important ecological consequences. All aquatic
organisms have preferred temperature in which they can survive and reproduce optimally.
Increasing water temperature results in greater biological activity and more rapid growth. The
significance of pH in water to determines the solubility and biological availability of chemical
constituents such as nutrients and heavy metals. For example, in addiction to affecting how
much and what form of phosphorus is most abundant in the water, pH also determines
whether aquatic life can use it. In the case of heavy metals, the degree to which they are

12

soluble determines their toxicity. Metals tend to be more toxic at lower pH because they are
more soluble.

SAMPLE CALCULATION
1. To obtain the concentrations of CO2 in sample of UiTM drain water :
Concentration of CO2 in water sample (mg/L CO2) = digits x multiplier
= 38.5 x 1.0
= 38.5 mg/L CO2
2. To obtain the concentrations of O2 in sample of UiTM drain water :
Concentration of O2 in water sample (mg/L O2) = digits x multiplier
= 0.02
= 38.5 mg/L O2

CONCLUSION
From the experiment the higher the level of BOD, the lower the survivality of the
aquatic life to maintain alive. The higher the BOD the lower the level DO inside the water
system. The concentrations of carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen in the samples depends
on the sources of the water itself. The higher the concentrations of carbon dioxide, the higher
the digits reading at the digital titrator.
RECOMMENDATIONS

13

1.

Make sure transfer tube is completely washed with pure water when we want to

change the reagent with a new one.

2.

Make sure there is no water left trapped inside the tube when it is about to be use.

3.

Use more variety source of water to be used for the experiment to obtain better results.

REFERENCE
[1] The Five Basic Water Quality Parameters. (2010).Retrieved June 2, 2013, from
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/docs/cwt/guidance/310.pdf
[2] Water Quality. (1998). Retrieved June 2, 2013, from
http://nerrs.noaa.gov/doc/siteprofile/acebasin/html/envicond/watqual/wqintro.htm
[3] Analysis of Uncertainty in River Water Quality Modelling. (2004). Retrieved June 3, 2013,
from http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pls/portallive/docs/1/7253966.PDF
[4] Noorzalila Muhammad Niza. (2013). Laboratory Manual of Chemical Engineering.
Distillation Column. University Teknologi Mara Pulau Pinang.
[5] Temperature . (2009). Retrieved June 2, 2013, from
http://www.ourlake.org/html/temperature.html
[6] Water Properties : pH. (2013). Retrieved June 2,2013,from
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ph.html
[7] Carbon Dioxide. (2003). Retrieved June 2,2013, from
http://water.me.vccs.edu/exam_prep/carbondioxide.html

14

[8] Why Dissolved Oxygen is Important?.(1998-2002). Retrieved June 2,2013,from

http://www.lenntech.com/why_the_oxygen_dissolved_is_important.htm
[9]

Biochemical

Oxygen

Demand

(2007).

Retrieved

June

3,2013,from

http://www.google.com.my/webhp?
source=search_app#output=search&sclient=psyab&rlz=1C6CHFA_enMY505MY523&q=bio
chemical+oxygen+demand&oq=BIOCHEMICAL+&gs_l=hp.3.1.0l4.1021.3011.0.4443.12.7.
0.5.5.0.174.765.5j2.7.0...0.0...1c.1.15.psyab.fFRqjregf8U&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=b
v.47244034,d.bmk&fp=d0a0a0df33e7f57c&biw=1109&bih=620
[10] Addition Information of Biochemical Oxygen Demand. (2009). Retrieved June
3,2013,from http://www.polyseed.com/misc/BODforwebsite.pdf
[11] Method of Water Monitoring. (2010). Retrieved June 3,2013,from
http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms52.cfm
APPENDIX
1. Original data sheet.

15