MAPUA UNIVERSITY

School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and

Sciences

Experiment # 6
DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS IN NATURAL WATERS

Group No. 5 CHE – 1

Members:
1. Bandoquillo, Mary Rafunzel P.
2. Faderogao, Anne Beatrice F.
3. Lacson, Miguel Joseph A.
4. Pentecostes, Daniela G.
5. Tambio, Shan Caezar L.

CM011LL – A12

Prof. Dante P. Bernabe

 DATA SHEET

B. Collection of Water Sample

Sampling site: Temperature: 28°C
Characterize/ describe the sampling site.
The sample was taken from tap water from the laboratory and was carefully obtained to avoid tiny air
bubbles to form in the flask.
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
C. Sample Analysis
1. Sample volume (mL) 200 mL 200 mL 100 mL
2. Buret reading, initial (mL) 0 mL 4.8 mL 10.4 mL
3. Buret reading, final (mL) 4.8 mL 10.4 mL 12.9 mL
4. Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed (mL) 4.8 mL 5.6 mL 2.5 mL
5. Molar concentration of Na2S2O3 (mol/L), 0.02597 mol/L
Part A
6. Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed (mol) 1.25 x 10-4 mol 1.45 x 10-4 mol 6.49 x 10-5 mol
7. Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- (mol) 6.25 x 10-5 mol 7.25 x 10-5 mol 3.245 x 10-5 mol
-5 -5
8. Moles of O2 (mol) 3.125 X 10 mol 3.625 x10 mol 1.6225 x 10-5 mol
9. Mass of O2 (mg) 1.00 mg 1.16 mg 0.5192 mg
10. Dissolved oxygen, ppm O2 (mg/L) 5.00 mg/L 5.80 mg/L 5.192 mg/L
11. Average dissolved oxygen, ppm O2 5.33 mg/L
12. Standard deviation 0.4176
13. Relative standard deviation (%RSD) 7.84 %

Write a short summary based on an interpretation of your analytical data.

Parts A and B of the experiment focused on obtaining the molar concentration of Na 2S2O3 as well
as the water sample itself. Since the molar concentration of Na 2S2O3 was already readily given by the lab
instructor, the report sheet for that part was not included anymore in the report. Moreover, the sample taken
from tap water was fixed with the two reagents namely MnSO 4 and KI-NaN3 before performing Part C of the
experiment which involves titration. The average dissolved oxygen in the water sample was obtained by
considering the volume of Na 2S2O3 dispensed, molar concentration of Na 2S2O3, moles of Na2S2O3, moles of
I3- reduced by S2O32-, moles of O2, and the mass of O2. Each step is vital and will affect the final value of
dissolved oxygen.

COMPUTATIONS

C. Sample Analysis

4. Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed (mL)

SAMPLE 1 Solution:
Given: V Na2S2O3 dispensed= (Buret reading final) –
Buret reading, initial= 0 mL (Buret reading initial)
Buret reading, final = 4.8 mL = (4.8 mL) – (0 mL)
Volme Na2S2O3 dispensed = 4.8 mL
RTF: Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed
SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3
Given: Given:
Buret reading, initial= 4.8 mL Buret reading, initial= 10.4 mL
Buret reading, final = 10.4 mL Buret reading, final = 12.9 mL

RTF: Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed RTF: Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed

Solution: Solution:
V Na2S2O3 dispensed= (Buret reading final) – V Na2S2O3 dispensed= (Buret reading final) –
(Buret reading initial) (Buret reading initial)
= (10.4 mL) – (4.8 mL) = (12.9 mL) – (10.4 mL)
Volme Na2S2O3 dispensed = 5.6 mL Volme Na2S2O3 dispensed = 2.5 mL

6. Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed (mol)

SAMPLE 1 Solution:
Given: Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed =
Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed = 4.8 mL
Molar concentration of Na2S2O3 = 0.02597 mol/L ( 10001 LmL )( M of Na S O ) ¿
(V ¿ ¿ Na 2 S2 O 3 dispensed) 2 2 3

1L mol
RTF: Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = (5.6 mL) ( ) (0.02597 )
1000 mL L
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 1.454 x 10-4 mol ~
Solution:
1.45 x 10-4 mol
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed =

( 10001 LmL )( M of Na S O SAMPLE

(V ¿ ¿ Na 2 S2 O 3 dispensed) 2 2)¿ 3
Given:
3

1L mol Volume Na S O dispensed = 2.5 mL

= ( 4.8 mL) (
1000 mL )
(0.02597 ) 2 2 3
L Molar concentration of Na S O = 0.02597 mol/L
2 2 3
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 1.247 x 10-4 mol ~
1.25 x 10-4 mol RTF: Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed

SAMPLE 2 Solution:
Given: Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed =
Volume Na2S2O3 dispensed = 5.6 mL
Molar concentration of Na2S2O3 = 0.02597 mol/L ( 10001 LmL )( M of Na S O ) ¿
(V ¿ ¿ Na 2 S2 O 3 dispensed) 2 2 3

1L mol
RTF: Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = (2.5 mL) ( ) (0.02597 )
1000 mL L
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 6.493 x 10-5 mol ~
6.49 x 10-4 mol

7. Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- (mol)

SAMPLE 1 RTF: Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32-

Given:
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 1.25 x 10-4 mol
Solution: =
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 1 mol I 3
1mol I 3 (1.45 x 10−4 mol Na2 S2 O3)( )
(n Na S O dispensed )( ) 2 mol Na2 S 2 O3
2 2 3
2mol Na 2 S 2 O 3 Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 7.25 x 10-5 mol
=
−4 1 mol I 3 SAMPLE 3
(1.25 x 10 mol Na 2 S2 O 3)( ) Given:
2 mol Na 2 S 2 O 3
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 6.25 x 10-5 mol Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 6.49 x 10-5 mol

SAMPLE 2 RTF: Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32-

Given:
Moles of Na2S2O3 dispensed = 1.45 x 10-4 mol Solution:
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- =
RTF: Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- 1mol I 3
(n Na S O dispensed )( )
2 2 3
2mol Na 2 S 2 O 3
Solution: =
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = −5 1 mol I 3
1mol I 3 (6.49 x 10 mol Na 2 S 2 O 3 )( )
(n Na S O dispensed )( ) 2 mol Na 2 S 2 O 3
2 2 3
2mol Na2 S 2 O3 Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 3.245 x 10-5 mol

8. Moles of O2 (mol)

SAMPLE 1
Given:
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 6.25 x 10-5 mol Solution:
Moles of O2 = ¿
RTF: Moles of O2 =¿
Moles of O2 = 3.625 x 10-5 mol ~ 3.63 x 10-5 mol
Solution:
Moles of O2 = ¿ SAMPLE 3
=¿ Given:
Moles of O2 = 3.125 x 10-5 mol ~ 3.13 x 10-5 mol Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 3.245 x 10-5 mol

SAMPLE 2 RTF: Moles of O2

Given:
Moles of I3- reduced by S2O32- = 7.25 x 10-5 mol Solution:
Moles of O2 = ¿
RTF: Moles of O2 =¿
Moles of O2 = 1.6225 x 10-5 mol ~ 1.62 x 10-5 mol

9. Mass of O2 (mg)

SAMPLE 1 Given:
Moles of O2 = 3.125 x 10-5 mol 32 g O 2 1000 mg
Molar mass of O2 = 32 g (Molar mass of 16 x 2)
RTF: Mass of O2
Mass of O2 = ( nO ) 2 ( 1 mol O 2 )
(
1g
)

=
Solution: 32 g O 2 1000 mg
32 g O 2 1000 mg
( 3.625 x 10−5 mol ) (
1 mol O 2
(
1g
) )
Mass of O2 = ( nO ) 2 ( 1 mol O 2
()1g
) Mass of O2 = 1.16 mg
=
SAMPLE 3
32 g O 2 1000 mg
−5
( 3.125 x 10 mol )
1 mol O 2 (
(
1g
) ) Given:
Moles of O2 = 1.6225 x 10-5 mol
Mass of O2 = 1.00 mg Molar mass of O2 = 32 g (Molar mass of 16 x 2)

SAMPLE 2 RTF: Mass of O2

Given:
Moles of O2 = 3.625 x 10-5 mol Solution:
Molar mass of O2 = 32 g (Molar mass of 16 x 2) 32 g O 2 1000 mg

RTF: Mass of O2
Mass of O2 = ( nO ) 2 ( 1 mol O 2 )
(
1g
)

=
Solution: 32 g O 2 1000 mg
( 1.6225 x 10−5 mol )
1mol O 2 ((
1g
) )
Mass of O2 = 0.5192 mg

10. Dissolved oxygen, ppm O2 (mg/L)

SAMPLE 1 Volume of sample = 200 mL

Given:
Mass of O2 = 1.00 mg RTF: Dissolved O2
Volume of sample = 200 mL
Solution:
RTF: Dissolved O2 mass of O2

Solution:
mass of O 2
Dissolved O2 =
( ( V sample ) ( 10001 LmL ) )
Dissolved O2 =
( ( V sample )
1L
(
1000 mL ) ) =
(
1.16 mg
( 200 mL )
1L
1000 mL ( ) )
1.00 mg
=
(
( 200 mL )
1L
1000 mL
Dissolved O2 = 5.00 mg/L
( ) ) Dissolved O2 = 5.8 mg/L

SAMPLE 3
Given:
Mass of O2 = 0.5192 mg
SAMPLE 2 Volume of sample = 100 mL
Given:
Mass of O2 = 1.16 mg RTF: Dissolved O2
 0.5192 mg
Solution:
mass of O 2
=
( (
( 1 00mL )
1L
1000 mL ) )
Dissolved O2 =
( ( V sample ) ( 10001 LmL ) ) Dissolved O2 = 5.192 mg/L

11. Average Dissolved Oxygen, ppm O2

Given:
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 1 = 5.00 mg/L
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 2 = 5.80 mg/L
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 3 = 5.192 mg/L

RTF: Average Dissolved Oxygen

Solution:
Average Dissolved O2 =
( Dissolved O2 ∈Sample 1 ) + ( Dissolved O2∈ Sample 2 ) +( Dissolved O2∈ Sample 3)
3
( 5.00 mg/L ) + ( 5.8 mg/ L ) +(5.192 mg/ L)
=
3
(15.992 mg/ L)
=
3
Average Dissolved O2 = 5.33 mg/L

12. Standard deviation

Given:
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 1 = 5.00 mg/L
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 2 = 5.80 mg/L
Dissolved oxygen in Sample 3 = 5.192 mg/L
Average Dissolved Oxygen = 5.33 mg/L

RTF: Standard deviation

Solution:
mg 2 mg 2 2
mg mg mg mg
Standard deviation =

mg 2
√ (
L
5.00
−5.33

mg 2
L
+ 5.80

mg
L

2
)(
−5.33

3−1
L
+ 5.192
L)(
−5.33
L )
= √
(−0. 3 3
L
) + 0.47

2
L( )(
+ −0 . 138
L
¿
¿
)
 2 2 2

√
mg mg mg
= ( 0. 10 8 9 ( )) (
L
+ 0 .2209 ( )) (
L
+ 0 . 019 ( ))
L
2
Standard deviation = 0.4176

13. Relative Standard Deviation (% RSD)

Given:
Average Dissolved Oxygen = 5.33 mg/L
Standard deviation = 0.4176

RTF: % RSD

Solution:
Standard deviation
% RSD = x 100
Average Dissolved Oxygen
0.4176
= x 100
5.33 mg/ L
% RSD = 7.84%

LABORATORY QUESTIONS
1. Part B. The water chemist waits until returning to the laboratory to fix the water sample for the
dissolved oxygen analysis. Will the reported dissolved oxygen concentration be reported too high,
too low, or unaffected? Explain.

 Since there are no manipulations on the water sample, the dissolved oxygen concentration
remains unchanged or unaffected.
2. Part B.3. A solution of MnSO4 is added to fix the dissolved oxygen in the collected sample.

a) What is the meaning of the expression “fix the dissolved oxygen,” and why is it so important for
the analysis of dissolved oxygen in a water sample?

 Fixing a dissolved oxygen means establishing a more stable and balanced form of the
oxygen which is done by adding two reagents namely MnSO4 and KI-NaN3. It is vital to the
analysis of dissolved oxygen in a water sample because it helps in determining the levels of
biological activity and the dissolved oxygen concentration in general in the said sample.

b) Only an approximate value (~1 mL) of MnSO 4 is required for fixing the dissolved oxygen in the
sample. Explain why an exact volume is not critical.

 It is not critical to add an exact volume, let’s say 1 mL, for fixing the dissolved oxygen in a
sample because approximating the volume won’t really have an impact to the formation of the
precipitate in the process.
3. Part B.4. No precipitate forms! Assuming the reagents were properly prepared and dispensed into
the sample, what might be predicted about its dissolved oxygen concentration? Explain.
 We may recall that the value of the precipitate is proportional to the concentration of dissolved
oxygen. Therefore, as the reagents were properly prepared and dispensed into the sample and
there were no precipitates, there will also be no dissolved oxygen concentration.
4. Part B.5. A water chemist measured and recorded the air temperature at 27°C when he should
have measured the water temperature, which was only 21°C. As a result of this error, will the
dissolved oxygen concentration be reported as being higher or lower than it should be? Explain.
 The dissolved oxygen concentration will be reported higher than it should be because the
temperature would have allowed more of the dissolved gas to escape. Also, oxygen levels in water
is inversely proportional to temperature.
5. Part C.3. The color of the analyte did not fade to form light yellow-brown color but remained intense
even after the addition of a full buret of the S 2O32- titrant, even though a precipitate formed in Part
B.4. What can be stated about the dissolved oxygen concentration of the sample? Explain.

 The color indicates the issue in the experiment. Which means that there is either too much
appropriate chemical used, or wrong chemical used in the experiment. But in this situation, more
titrant should be needed to balance the solution since there are too many Oxygen in the sample.
6. Assuming a dissolved oxygen concentration of 7.0 ppm (mg/L) in a 200-mL water sample,
7.0 mgO 2 1 g O2 1 mole O 2 1L
× × × 200 mL ×
L 1000 mgO 2 32 g O2 1000 mL
-5
= 4.375 x 10 moles of O2

a) How many moles of Mn(OH)3 will be produced with the addition of MnSO 4 solution?

O2(aq) + 4 MnSO4 (aq) + 8 NaOH (aq) + 2 H2O (l)  4 Mn(OH)3 (s) + 4 Na2SO4 (aq)
4 moles Mn(OH )3
0.00004375 moles O 2 ×
1 mole O 2
= 1.75 x 10-4 moles of Mn(OH)3

b) How many moles of I3- will be produced when the KI-NaN 3 solution is added to the above
solution?
2 Mn(OH)3 (s) + 3 I- (aq) + 6 H+ (aq)  I3- (aq) + 6 H2O (l) + 2 Mn 2+ (aq)
I 3−¿
0.000175 moles Mn (OH )3 × 1 mole ¿
2 mole s Mn(OH )3
= 8.75 x 10-5 moles of I3
c) How many moles of S2O32- will be needed to react with the I3- that is generated?

I3- (aq) + 2 S2O32- (aq)  3 I- (aq) + S4O62- (aq)

 O 32−¿
m oles I 3× 2 mole S 2 ¿
1 mole I 3−¿ ¿

= 1.75 x 10-4 moles S2O3

d) and also assuming the concentration of S2O32- titrant to be 0.025 M, how many milliliters of
titrant will be predictably used for the analysis

 Seven milliliters (7 mL) of titrant will be presumably used in the experiment which can be
calculated using the following formula and substitution of values:
O32−¿ 1000 mL
mL of titrant = (Mol of S2O3 ) (1 L S2
2-
2−¿
( )¿
0.025 mol S 2 O 3 ¿ 1L
O 32−¿ 1000 mL
-4 2-
= (1.75 x 10 mol S2O3 ) ( 1 L S 2 2−¿
( )¿
0.025 mol S 2 O 3 ¿ 1L
= 7 mL

7. A nonscientist brings a water sample to your laboratory and asks you to determine why there was a
fish kill in the nearby lake. Having recently finished this experiment, what might you tell that person
about the legitimacy of a test for dissolved oxygen? What reasoning would you use to maintain the
integrity of your laboratory?

 Testing the amount of dissolved oxygen in natural waters may help in determining the quality of
the water sample in it and this could be done experimentally using the Winkler method which
involves gathering water sample, fixing it with two reagents, and titrating it. In an instance in which
fish kill happened, some factors can be considered that may have caused it. These factors could
be the rise in temperature levels as well as the decrease or even depletion of oxygen levels in it.
Fishes need oxygen in order to live so studying the dissolved oxygen levels as well as the
chemicals that may be present in the lake which can contribute to the lowered dissolved oxygen
can be effective.

8. a) Fish kills are often found near the discharge point of water from cooling waters at electrical
generating power plants. Explain why this occurrence may occur.

 Electrical generating power plants involve processes of boiling water to produce high-
pressure steam which in turn enables turbines to turn and further produce desirable amount of
electricity. In order to cool down the steam through the condenser, the power plants use cooling
water most commonly from a body of water. What can be disregarded is the fact that these cooling
waters are not reused and are just directly dumped back to the body of water. The higher
temperature of the dumped cooling water is then what poses threat to the fishes in the body of
water and may cause fish kills since high water temperature affects the oxygen levels in it.

b) Fish kills are often found in streams following heavy rainfall in a watershed dominated by
farmland or denuded forestland. Explain why this occurrence may occur.

 The most common result of these depleted oxygen levels in stagnant water bodies are fish
kills. In some water bodies with limited mixing or water flow, the dissolved oxygen could be in
 short supply. Most fish cannot utilize O 2 (oxygen gas) – they can only absorb oxygen which is
already dissolved in water. Cold water can hold a lot of dissolved oxygen while warmer water
could not. The dissolved oxygen supply problem is often worsened by heavy rainfall. The
heavy rainfall can wash organic materials (like leaves and grasses) into water bodies.
Furthermore, the bacteria would decompose the organic material, adding to the oxygen
demand in the pond without adding to the oxygen supply.
9. Explain how the dissolved oxygen concentrations may change starting at the headwaters of a river
and ending at the ocean. Account for the changes.

 Since the water is continuously travelling, the turbulence is unstoppable. This turbulence could
increase dissolved oxygen levels. The temperature is also one of factor to this. Colder water
temperature could hold lots of dissolved oxygen while warmer water temperature could not hold
that much. Hence, the amount of oxygen will change indefinitely. It depends on the path of the
water from headwaters of a river to the ends of the ocean. Usually, dissolved oxygen concentration
at the headwater of rivers is higher and may become lower as it travels down the ocean.
10. Salt (ocean) water generally has a lower dissolved oxygen concentration than freshwater at a given
temperature. Explain why this is generally observed.

 There is a division between water flowing from the ocean and from the freshwater rivers that
influences the levels of dissolved oxygen. The water flowing from the ocean is generally salty and
cooler, while river water is warmer and fresh. Daylight (from the sun) is vital to break down oxygen
in waters so lower dissolved oxygen concentration in ocean waters can be accounted.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to identify the dissolved oxygen concentration in the given water sample, a proper
technique of collecting the water sample was considered first. It was made sure that the flask used was
filled to brim by horizontally laying it on the surface of the water to avoid tiny air bubbles to form. After this,
the dissolved oxygen in the water sample was fixed by adding MnSO 4 and KI-NaN3 as the reagents and
allowed precipitate to form. Once the precipitate formed, the flask was inverted and rolled to mix the
reagents and allow the precipitate to settle. After this, titration of the sample was then performed which
after analysis enabled us to calculate a value of 4.465 mg/L average dissolved oxygen of the three water
samples. This was possible because of the oxidation of manganese (II) sulfate to manganese hydroxide
during fixation or addition of MnSO 4. Also, manganese (III) hydroxide oxidized the iodide ion to triiodide ion,
I3-, while manganese (III) reduced to manganese (II) ion upon the addition of KI-NaN 3 in the water sample.
Further analysis was done by adding sulfuric acid to the sample in order to dissolve precipitate and titrating
it with a standardized sodium thiosulfate solution with a starch indicator. These chemical reactions all
accounts in the determination of dissolved oxygen concentration in the water sample.