OFFICIAL LABORATORY REPORT

Environmental Pollutants Analytical Technique

ANALYSIS OF WATER’S PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS (COLOR,
TURBIDITY, pH) AND COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION
ANALYSIS WITH JAR TEST METHOD

NAME : CAHYANINGRUM AYU A.

NRP : 03211740000028
LECTURER : WELLY HERUMURTI, ST., M.Sc
LABORATORY ASSISTANT : CINDY FATMAWATI

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTEMENT

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENT AND GEOSCIENCE
SEPULUH NOPEMBER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLGY
2019
 Contents

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................1
1.1 Objectives..................................................................................................................1
1.2 Principles....................................................................................................................1
1.3 Literature Review......................................................................................................1
1.4 Materials and Equipments.......................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2 EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME....................................................................3
CHAPTER 3 DISCUSSION..........................................................................................4
3.1 Data and Result........................................................................................................4
3.1.1 Turbidity Analysis...............................................................................................4
3.1.2 pH analysis.........................................................................................................4
3.1.3 Jartest..................................................................................................................5
3.2 Discussion..................................................................................................................8
3.2.1 pH analysis.........................................................................................................8
3.2.2 Turbidity analysis...............................................................................................9
3.2.3 Jar test.................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION......................................................................................14
4.1 Conclusion...............................................................................................................14
4.2 Questions and Answers.........................................................................................14
References.................................................................................................................15

1
 1

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objectives
To determine the optimum dose of alum for effective coagulation-flocculation of the
surface water sample.

1.2 Principles
This experiment includes three sub-experiments. The first experiment is the
analysis of turbidity, which is determined based on diversion of light by particle
suspension inside the water sample and by using a turbidimeter. The second
analysis is pH analysis to determine the hidrogen ion (H +) concentration in the
solution, by using pH meter.
The last part of the experiment is conducting jar-test on water sample to know
the optimum dosage of alum added. This is done by first adding alum to separated
water samples to form different concentrations and followed by the process of
coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation of the solutions. The resulting solutions
will then be analyzed physically (pH and turbidity) again.

1.3 Literature Review

Turbidity is a reduction in water clarity because of the presence of suspended
matter absorbing or scattering downwelling light, and water is considered turbid when
the presence of suspended particles becomes conspicuous. Inorganic suspended
materials, suspensoids or tripton, reduce light penetration, form adsorption and
desorption surfaces, and are able to aggregate with dissolved substances, bacteria,
and algae. The adsorbed substances are available for bacteria, algae, and
zooplankton (Grobbelaar, 2009).

pH is the most important in determining the corrosive nature of water. Lower the
pH value higher is the corrosive nature of water. pH was positively correlated with
electrical conductance and total alkalinity. Various factors bring about changes the
pH of water. The higher pH values observed suggests that carbon dioxide,
carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium is affected more due to change in
physicochemical condition (Patil et al, 2012).

Sedimentation is the process of allowing the flock formed during flocculation to

settle out and separate from the clarified water. Typical retention time is 4-6 hours for
settling. In higher pH there's reduction of turbidity because in higher pH there's a
tendency toward sedimentation and fundamentally alkaline basic is a suitable place
for sedimentation. Effect of increasing pH value on reduction of turbidity for ferric
chloride is stronger than alum and ferric chloride dosage is less than alum dosage in
the same pH value (Koohestanian et al, 2008).
 2

The parameters selected were, in first instance, turbidity, because of its

relationship with the colloidal particles or suspended material that affect the
degree of transparency of the water; pH, since each coagulant has an optimal range
of pH within which the action turns out to be more efficient; alkalinity, because
if the water has a high degree of alkalinity the reaction of coagulant gets affected;
Color, because of the contribution of color made by the colloidal particles; water
conductivity, as an indirect measurement of ions or dissolved solids present in the
water and temperature, since the lower the temperature the longer it takes for
flocculation of particles to occur (León-Luque et al, 2016).

pH solution is the minus logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration assigned by

measuring method by potensiometry using pH meter. The procedure are :

a) Dry with tissue paper and then rinse electrode with distilled water

b) Rinse electrode with sample

c) Dip electrode in sample until pH meter show a fixed reading

d) Note down reading scale or value on the pH meter display

(SNI National Standard Board, 2004)

Turbidity is an expression of the optical property of a medium, which causes

light to be scattered and absorbed rather than transmitted in straight lines through a
sample. Turbidimetry is the measurement of turbidity by quantifying the degree of
attenuation of a beam of light of known initial intensity. Nephelometry is the
measurement of turbidity by the direct evaluation of the degree of light scattering
taking place in the medium (Lawler, 2016).

1.4 Materials and Equipments

a. Six-paddle Jar Test apparatus with illuminated base
b. Six 1 litre jars
c. Six 10 ml beakers
d. One 10 ml graduated pipettes
e. Turbidimeter
f. pH meter
g. Spectrophotometer
h. Coagulant e.g. aluminum sulfate (alum)
 3

CHAPTER 2
EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME

10 L of water samples

- 1000 ml is taken into 6 beakers (1 L)

- Stirred until homogeneous
- Sufficient amount of water samples is taken into beaker glass
(100ml)
- pH and turbidity is measured

3% Alum

- Added into each beakers with different dosage to form 12

different concentration, ranging from 0 ml, 1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml,
4ml, 5ml, 6ml, 8ml, 10ml, 20ml, 30ml, 40ml

Water samples in beakers

- Stirred with 100 rpm speed for 1 minute

- Stirred with 40-60 rpm speed for 15 minutes
- The solution are settled for 15 minutes to form sedimentation
- 10 ml of each beaker is taken (upper part)

100 ml clear solution

- Take and analyze the pH and turbidity.

- Compare results with previous result (original water sample)
and calibration result.
- Make a calibration graph of dose vs turbidity and pH

Result
 4

CHAPTER 3
DISCUSSION
3.1 Data and Result
3.1.1 Turbidity Analysis

No Treatment Observation Picture

1 Sufficient amount of raw water Characteristics of water
sample is transferred into 50 sample :
mL beaker glass - Turbid
- Smells bad
- Normal temperature

2 The sample is poured into Cuvette is cylindrical in

cuvette and then measured shape.
with turbiditymeter
Reading result
= 22 NTU

3.1.2 pH analysis
No Treatment Observation Picture
1 Sufficient amount of raw water Characteristics of water
sample is transferred into 50 sample :
mL beaker glass - Turbid
- Smells bad
- Normal temperature
 5

2 pH levels of the raw water is Reading result :

measured by dipping the stick pH = 8,14
into the water and wait until the
result stop changing

3.1.3 Jartest
No Treatment Observation Picture
Characteristics of water
sample :
Around 12 L of raw water is
collected from a river in front - Turbid
1. of Hang Tuah University by a - Smells bad
bucket into a jerry can - Normal temperature
- Clear to Amber or
Light Green

Six 1-L beaker glass were

No physical change
2. filled with 1000 mL of the
observed
water sample

Each beakers are dosed with Characteristics of alum :

different volume of 1% alum - Clear solution
3. using the pipette, ranging
- Odorless
from 0 mL, 1 mL, 2 mL, 3
mL, 4 mL, and 5 mL. - Normal temperature
 6

The beaker are then placed

under the paddles of the jar
test apparatus and the No physical change
4. paddles are lowered to the observed
same depth in each beaker
glass

The suspended particles

The water in the beaker was are unclear due to the
5. stirred instantly with a rapid mixing that make it’s
mix of 100 rpm for 1 minute broken into smaller size
and spread around

Floc formation were

The water was stirred with a
recorded by referring to
6. slow mix at 40-60 rpm for 15
the chart of particle sizes
minutes
in final 10minutes.

The beakers are let alone to
7.
allow settling for 30 minutes
supernatant gradually
clarifies; solids collect at
the bottom of the jar to
form a sediment, and the
supernatant-suspension
interface is generally
indistinct.

Upper section of sample

Sufficient amount of
is clearer than lower part
supernatant sample was
of water sample.
8. carefully collected from each
Solution with higher alum
beaker and was placed in the
concentrations have
50 ml beakers
clearer upper layer.

The remaining water sample

were discarded into the sink.
9. The beaker washed, and
refilled with the same raw
water.
 7

Redo the same steps as 1-8 Characteristics of alum :

but with different volume of
10
alum added; ranging from 0
. mL, 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 4 mL,
and 5 mL.
- Clear solution
- Odorless
Normal temperature

The turbidity were measured
for each sample by turbidity
9. meter and the reading result
are recorded
Reading results:
0 mg/L : 22 NTU
30 mg/L: 19 NTU
60 mg/L : 17 NTU
90 mg/L : 17 NTU
120 mg/L: 15 NTU
150 mg/L: 14 NTU
180 mg/L: 9,8 NTU
240 mg/L: 7,4 NTU
300 mg/L: 5,8 NTU
600 mg/L: 4 NTU
900 mg/L: 4,2 NTU
1200 mg/L: 7,3 NTU

10 The pH levels were Reading results:

. measured by pH meter for 0 mg/L: 8,14
each sample and the 30 mg/L: 7,96
reading result are 60 mg/L: 7,67
recorded 90 mg/L: 7,53
120 mg/L: 7,22
150 mg/L: 7,29
180 mg/L: 7,2
210 mg/L: 7
240 mg/L: 6,89
270 mg/L: 5,4
300 mg/L: 5,92
330 mg/L: 4,5
 8

3.2 Discussion
The third experiment of Environmental Pollution Analytical Technique was conducted
on Friday, March 4th, 2019 in Water Treatment Laboratory, Environmental Engineering
ITS at 08.00 AM - 11.00 AM. There are 3 sub experiments in this experiment. They are
pH analysis, turbidity analysis, and jartest. The required equipments and materials for
this experiment are six-paddle jar test apparatus with illuminated base, six 1 litre jars, six
10 ml beakers, one 10 ml graduated pipettes, turbidimeter, pH meter, aluminum sulfate
(alum), and raw water sample. This time, we select raw water from a river in front of
Hang Tuah University. The water was taken by throwing away a bucket attached with a
rope and pull it up, then transfered into a jerry can until around 12 L. This method of
sampling known as depth-wise sampling. The characteristic of the raw water is smells
bad, turbid, contain some particles that are visible, and has a greenish color.
The purpose of the laboratory jar test is to select and quantify a treatment program
for removal of suspended solids or oil from raw water or a diluteprocess or waste stream.
Jar tests are conducted on a six-place gang stirrer, which can be utilized to simulate
 9

mixing and settling conditions in a clarifier. Jars (beakers) with different treatment
programs or the same product at different dosages are run side-by-side, and the results
compared to an untreated jar for pH and turbidity. The goal of the testing was to identify
the dose of alum required to achieve a certain goals of water treatment. The tests were
performed at doses of 0 (control, before), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 and
100 mg/L Alum.
3.2.1 pH analysis
The pH of water sample is measured by knowing the hydrogen ion (H+)
concentration using a pH meter to determine the acidity or base level. pH solution is the
minus logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration assigned by measuring method by
potensiometry using pH meter. The pH of water sample is measured by knowing the
hydrogen ion (H+) concentration using a pH meter to determine the acidity or base level.
The procedure started by drying the electrode with tissue paper and rinsing the
electrode with distilled water so that the pH meter rod is neutralized from impurities
which can affect the pH measurement results Next, electrode rinsed by sample water
and then dipped in the sample water in 50mL beaker glass until pH meter showed a
fixed reading. Note down reading scale or value on the pH meter display (SNI National
Standard Board, 2004). The reading result was 8,14 and this result was recorded to be
compared with the same raw water that has already been treated by jartest.
According to the Republic of Indonesia PERMENKES No. 492 / Menkes /
Per / IV / 2010, the standard for pH quality of drinking water is 6.5-8.5. Therefore, we
can know that water samples meet the quality standards used.

3.2.2 Turbidity analysis

Move on to the next experiment is turbidity analysis by tubidimetry method.
Turbidity is an expression of the optical property of a medium, which causes light to
be scattered and absorbed rather than transmitted in straight lines through a sample.
Meanwhile turbidimetry is the measurement of turbidity by quantifying the degree of
attenuation of a beam of light of known initial intensity (Lawler, 2016). There is
another explanation by Grobbelaar (2009), he said turbidity is a reduction in water
clarity because of the presence of suspended matter absorbing or scattering
downwelling light, and water is considered turbid when the presence of suspended
particles becomes conspicuous. Inorganic suspended materials, suspensoids or
tripton, reduce light penetration, form adsorption and desorption surfaces, and are
able to aggregate with dissolved substances, bacteria, and algae.

Firstly, aquadest was prepared as a blank in order to re-zero the turbidimeter

before being used to measured the sample water. Next, put in the cuvette and placed
into the turbidimeter, wait until the reading results show 0 and not changing. The
physical properties of aquadest are clear, odorless, room temperature and liquid.
Afterwards, sufficient water sample were transferred into a 50mL glass beaker. The
physical properties of water sample are cloudy turbid, slightly smelly, room
temperature and liquid. The water turbidity value of the sample obtained was 24
NTU.

This result were recorded as well so that we can see how before and after
jartest treatment samples. The turbidity parameters were selected in this experiment
because of its relationship with the colloidal particles or suspended material that
affect the degree of transparency of the water; pH, since each coagulant has an
 10

optimal range of pH within which the action turns out to be more efficien (León-
Luque et al, 2016).

According to the Republic of Indonesia PERMENKES No. 492 / Menkes /

Per / IV / 2010, quality standards for drinking water turbidity amounting to 5 NTU.
From these data we can know that water samples do not meet the quality standards
used. High turbidity is caused by high dissolved organic matter in sample water and
other suspended substances.

3.2.3 Jartest
The potabilization process aims to offer safe water that fulfill the
requirements established in the local regulations. Inside these processes, one of
the most used and important in superficial waters is the coagulation and flocculation,
which aims to eliminate turbidity in order to remove the suspended particles in water
using flocculants. To reach high levels of reduction is necessary to look for an optimal
dosage of coagulant, which generally is calculated by means of the “Jar Test,”
working under a uniform condition of turbidity. However the turbidity values
change temporarily on the water, affecting the effectiveness of this process, due to
each turbidity value may need a different coagulant dose. Coagulation and
flocculation processes has been object of study and research by different
approaches (León-Luque et. al, 2016).
The jartest started off by filling six 1-L beaker glass with 1000 mL of the water
sample that we collect in a jerry can. Each beakers were dosed with different volume
of 3% alum using the volumetric pipette, ranging from 1 mL to 40 mL. Iron free
Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) is most widely used in municipal drinking water and
wastewater treatment systems. In potable water applications, alum functions as an
excellent primary coagulant. Through charge neutralization and flocculation in raw
water, alum removes: turbidity, suspended solids, total organic carbon (TOC), and
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Aluminum Sulfate easily hydrolyzes to form
insoluble precipitates which aid in removal of tiny particles that cannot be easily
filtered and/or are too small to settle via gravity in a useful period of time.
Known that 3% alum solution means 1 mL alum equals to 30mg/L as the
concentration itself, then simultaneously with each volume as follows.

Alum added (mL) Desired concentration (mg/L)

1 mL 30 mg/L
2 mL 60 mg/L
3 mL 90 mg/L
4 mL 120 mg/L
5 mL 150 mg/L
6 mL 180 mg/L
8 mL 240 mg/L
10 mL 300 mg/L
20 mL 600 mg/L
30 mL 900 mg/L
 11

40 mL 1200 mg/L

Varying any of the operating condition is expected to change the properties of

the primary particles formed during coagulation and, consequently, the properties of
the final floc. So that we can know when it reach the optimum condition.

After adding Alum with different dosages, the beakers were then placed under
the paddles of the jar test apparatus and the paddles were lowered to the same
depth in each beaker glass. The water in the beakers was stirred instantly with a
rapid mix of 100 rpm for 1 minute. Its main purpose is to equally disperse the
coagulant into the suspension to incite efficient flocculation. Fast mixing
becomes more fundamental in the case of highly turbid wastewater where the
higher particle collision rate due to the high particle concentration will increase
adsorption and floc formation rates.

After the rapid mix stage, slow mixing was carried at optimum
conditions, reducing the speed to 40 rpm for 15 minutes. This slower mixing speed
helps promote floc formation by enhancing particle collisions, which lead to larger
flocs. Increasing the time of slow mixing increases the number of contacts between
the particles.

After the jar test was performed, the coagulated suspension was left to settle
for 15 minutes. Sedimentation of a suspension is generally assessed by a jar test,
during which a suspension is allowed to settle and the height of the clear liquid
(supernatant)-suspension interface is measured as a function of the settling time. In a
jar test, particles can be observed to settle in any of several quite different ways,
dependent on their concentration and their tendency to cohere. The different modes
of sedimentation make different demands on the size and shape of a settling tank,
and different test procedures are used for evaluating them.

When the particles are, on average, far apart and free to settle individually,
clarification sedimentation occurs. This behavior is recognized in a jar test as slower
settling particles “string out” behind faster ones, and the supernatant gradually
clarifies; solids collect at the bottom of the jar to form a sediment, and the
supernatant-suspension interface is generally indistinct.

Then a sufficient amount of sample of the supernatant was carefully

withdrawn to test for turbidity removal, in addition to change in pH. Transferred into
50 mL beaker glass, the turbidity were measured by turbidimeter while the pH levels
by pH meter. The ratio values recorded as below and were plotted as concentration
vs parameter (turbidity or pH).
Concentration of Alum (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) pH
0 mg/L 22 8,14
30 mg/L 19 7,96
60 mg/L 17 7,67
90 mg/L 17 7,53
120 mg/L 15 7,22
150 mg/L 14 7,29
180 mg/L 9,8 7,2
 12

240 mg/L 7,4 7

300 mg/L 5,8 6,89
600 mg/L 4 5,4
900 mg/L 4,2 5,92
1200 mg/L 7,3 4,5

Graph of final pH values against dose of alum

9
8
7
6
5
pH values

4
3
2
1
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Concentration of Alum (mg/L)

Graph of final turbidity values against dose of alum

20
18
16
14
Turbidity (NTU)

12
10
8
7.3
6
4
2
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Concentration of Alum (mg/L)

The data from the experiments are presented in two set of graphs. The first graph is
of final pH value of water samples versus the dose of alum. The graph starts with a pH of
value of 8.14 in the jar with no concentration of alum at all. The pH values then decrease
steadily with the increasing dose of alum into the jar. It then increases slightly to pH = 5.92 in
the jar with 900 mg/L of alum. This shows that the presence of alum affects the pH value of
the water samples.
 13

The second graph is the graph of turbidity value against the dose of alum. The graph
started with high turbidity value of 22 NTU. The value dropped to 19 NTU when the alum
was added into the water and continue to decrease until it reaches a value of 4 NTU with
600 mg/L doses of alum. The value started to increase again after this point This is because,
destabilization of colloids occurred with the increment of the alum dosage after the optimum
value.
High turbidity value proved that the water has a high amount of suspended particle.
The lowest values of turbidity and pH at 600 mg/L dose of alum shows that the water is most
clear out of all the samples. Majority of the sediment has coagulated well and settled at the
bottom of the beaker. The restabilization of the colloids happens when the negative particle
from the flocculation process has turned positive and started to repel against each other
again. The optimum dosage value also shows the best coagulation process during the slow
mix.
 14

CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION

4.1 Conclusion

Based on the experiment, 600 mg/L or 20mL doses of alum was identified as the
optimum dosage for the coagulation process because it shows the lowest final turbidity
and pH reading. By the time it reach the lowest value of dose, the pH value reachs 4.
This result has not fulfilled the standard of Indonesia Public Health Ministry Regulation
492/Menkes/per/IV/2010 which states that pH of water must be between 6.5 and 8.5.
Meanwhile the lowest turbidity of 4 NTU has fulfilled the standard of Indonesia Public
Health Ministry Regulation 492/Menkes/per/IV/2010 which states that turbidity of water
must below 5 NTU.
4.2 Questions and Answers
Questions:
1. Mention steps of coagulation and flocculation processes!
2. Mention the important factors in jar-test process!
3. Mention kinds of coagulant that you know!
4. Explain how important coagulation process or flashmix is in decreasing process of
turbidity!
5. In which pH does optimum coagulation process happen and explain how!

Answers:
1. - Mix the reagen by fast stirring 100 rpm for 1minutes
- Slow stirring to form flocs with 40-60 rpm speed for 15 minutes
- Sedimentation proces for 15 minutes, for get rid of floca with colloid that bind in
solution
2. - pH of the solution
- Amount and kind of flocculation
- Amount and kind suspended substance
- temperature and alkalinity
- the presence of dissolved of specific ions
3. Examples of primary coagulants are metallic salts, such as aluminum sulfate
(referred to as alum), ferric sulfate, and ferric chloride. Cationic polymers may also
be used as primary coagulants

4. Fast mixing becomes more fundamental in the case of highly turbid

wastewater where the higher particle collision rate due to the high particle
concentration will increase adsorption and floc formation rates.
5. The pH of the water plays an important role when alum is used for coagulation
because the solubility of the aluminum species in water is pH dependent. If the pH
of the water is between 4 and 5, alum is generally present in the form of positive
ions (i.e., Al(OH)2+, Al8(OH)4+, and Al3+). However, optimum coagulation occurs
when negatively charged forms of alum predominate, which occurs when the pH is
between 6 and 8. When alum is used and charge neutralization is the primary
coagulation mechanism, effective flash mixing is critical to the success of the
process. When the primary mechanism is entrapment, effective flash mixing is less
critical than flocculation.
 15

References

Badan Standarisasi Nasional (BSN). 2004. Air dan air limbah – Bagian 11: Cara uji derajat
keasaman (pH) dengan menggunakan alat pH meter. Jakarta. SNI 06-6989.11.

Grobbelaar, J.U. 2016. Turbidity. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters 1(1): 699–704

Koohestanian, A. Hosseini, M. Abbasian, Z. 2008. The Separation Method for Removing of

Colloidal Particles from Raw Water. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environmental
Science. Vol 4 (2): 266-273.

Lawler, D.M. 2016. Turbidity, Turbidimetry, and Nephelometry. Elsevier

León-Luque, A. J., Barajas, C. L., and C.A. Peña-Guzmán. 2016. Determination of the
Optimal Dosage of Aluminum Sulfatein the Coagulation-Flocculation Process Using an
Artificial Neural Network. International Journal of Environmental Science and
Development 7(5)

Patil, P.,N., Sawant, D.,V., Desmukh, R., N. 2012. Physico-Chemical Parameters For Testing
of Water. International Journal of Environmental Sciences 3(3) : 1194-1207.