EXPERIMENT #6: DISSOLVED OXYGEN

Oxygen is one of the most common dissolved gases in water. It can be dissolved in water in
three ways:

(1) Introduced into water by algae, through photosynthesis

(2) Introduced by mechanical equipment
(3) Enters water directly from the atmosphere

Dissolved Oxygen in water is vital for survival of aquatic life in water bodies. Both plants and
animals depend on dissolved oxygen for survival. If there is a lack of oxygen in water, aquatic
plants and animals will eventually die. Therefore, dissolved oxygen is a fundamental requirement
for the maintenance of life for the aquatic population and is considered to be an important
parameter to the extent of water purity or extent of pollution associated with it.

Measuring the amount of dissolved oxygen in water is probably the most significant water
quality test to determine the suitability of a stream for fish and many other aquatic organisms. It
is defined as the amount of oxygen molecules that is physically distributed in water.

The amount of DO in water can be expressed in three ways:

(1) Concentration – mg/L or ppm

(2) Pressure – mmHg
(3) Percentage saturation – a relative value expressing either concentration or pressure as a
percentage of their respective saturation values

The concentration of DO varies with waters. Its amount depends on the solubility of oxygen in
each type of water, which, in turn, is greatly influenced by temperature, pressure, salinity.

Pressure

The amount of gas than can be dissolved in water is proportional to the pressure of that gas in
contact with the water – Henry’s Law. The higher the pressure the greater the solubility.

Temperature

Cold water can absorb more gas than hot water. The higher the water temperature the lower the
solubility.

Salinity

Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. It affects solubility. The higher the
salinity the lower the solubility.

Dissolved oxygen for good water quality is 4-6mg/L. When the level of DO falls below the
minimum critical value required to ensure healthy aquatic life, it indicates pollution.

Was the water sample you used healthy or polluted?

Determination of Dissolved Oxygen Using Winkler’s Method

The method usually used to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen in water is the Winkler’s
Method which is considered to be the most reliable and precise method for DO analysis. It
involves iodometric titration wherein the amount of oxygen in a water sample is determined
indirectly via iodine.

This method involves

1. Manganous sulfate was added to the water sample followed by the alkali-iodide-azide.

2NaOH + MnSO4  Mn(OH)2 + K2SO4

Manganous sulfate reacts with the sodium hydroxide in the alkali azide producing a
white manganous hydroxide precipitate.

The presence of oxygen in the water sample reacts with the manganous hydroxide
precipitate forming a brown basic manganic oxide.

The brownish precipitate formed is an indicator of the oxygen present in the sample.

2Mn(OH)2 + O2  2MnO(OH)2

This basic manganic oxide acts as an oxygen carrier to enable the dissolved oxygen in
the molecular form to take part in the reaction.

2. Upon the addition of sulfuric acid to the sample, basic manganic oxide is dissolved and
immediately reacted with the potassium iodide in the azide to yield iodine.

2MnO(OH)2 + H2SO4  MnSO4 + 2H2O + [O]

2KI + H2SO4 + [O]  K2SO4 + H2O + I2

3. Sodium thiosulfate is used to titrate the iodine yield with the indicator starch to the end
point.

I2 + Na2S2O3  Na2S4O6 + 2NaI

The color change of the endpoint coincides with the dissolved oxygen concentration in
the sample.

The amount of titrant used to reach the end point, in mL, is equivalent to the
concentration of dissolved oxygen in the sample.
Outline of Winkler’s Dissolved Oxygen Procedure