Determination Of Salinity Of Given Water Sample Using Conductivity Meter

Salinity

Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. Salinity is usually measured in parts per
thousand or parts per million (ppt or ppm).

The salt in the ocean is mostly made up of the elements

sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). Together they account for
85.7% of the dissolved salt. The other major components of
seawater are magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K)
and sulfate (SO4). Together with chlorine and sodium they
make up 99.4% of the salt in the ocean.

The average ocean salinity is 35ppt and the average river

water salinity is 0.5ppt or less. This means that in every kilogram (1000 grams) of seawater, 35
grams are salt.

Environmental Significance

Salinity is an ecological factor of considerable importance, influencing the types of organisms

that live in a body of water. As well, salinity influences the kinds of plants that will grow either
in a water body, or on land fed by a water (or by a groundwater).

A plant adapted to saline conditions is called a halophyte. A halophyte which is tolerant

to residual sodium carbonate salinity are called glasswort or saltwort or barilla plants.

Organisms (mostly bacteria) that can live in very salty conditions are classified as extremophiles,
or halophiles specifically. An organism that can withstand a wide range of salinities
is euryhaline.

The degree of salinity in oceans is a driver of the world's ocean circulation, where density
changes due to both salinity changes and temperature changes at the surface of the ocean
produce changes in buoyancy, which cause the sinking and rising of water masses.
Changes in the salinity of the oceans are thought to contribute to global changes in carbon
dioxide as more saline waters are less soluble to carbon dioxide. In addition, during glacial
periods, the hydrography is such that a possible cause of reduced circulation is the production of
stratified oceans. In such cases, it is more difficult to sub duct water through the thermohaline
circulation.

NEQS Guidelines

There are no hard and fast rule for salinity of water but it is related to the amount of total
dissolve solids in the water.

Collection, Sampling, and Storage

 Container: Container type should be plastic.

 Sampling: Sample should be observed immediately after collection of sample but it can
be stored at degrees Celsius in the refrigerator.
 Holding Time: The holding time for this sample is 28 days.

Materials Required

 Conductivity meter
 Water sample
 Distilled water

Procedure

 Calibrate the conductivity meter with distilled water to attain proper readings
 Remove the protective cap, switch the meter on and insert the probe into the water
sample up to the immersion level.
 Move the probe up and down or tap it to remove air bubbles from around the electrodes.
 Allow the probe to reach the temperature of the water before taking a reading.
 wait about 30 seconds before taking the reading. If the water is much colder than the
probe, allow a longer period, say two minutes before taking a reading.
  If the meter has no temperature compensation mechanism, take the temperature of the
sample and use a correction table to get the right value.
 Read the display, and record the result.

Observation

Conductivity meter showed the reading of 301 mg/L level at 250C

Results

The salinity of given water sample is 301mg/L.

Comments

We have performed the above experiment to find the value of salinity in the water sample. We
have used tab water as water sample to check its salinity. As salinity, TDS, and conductivity are
related to each other so, the value of salinity is very important in measuring of water quality
specifically in oceans. We have use the conductivity meter/ salinity meter in the lab to measure
the salinity. It was a quite interesting activity to perform.
 Determination of Total Dissolve Solids Using Conductivity Meter

Total Dissolve Solids

Despite that we are determining the TDS with conductivity meter, the actual definition of total
dissolve solids is:

“The material which is passed through the filter paper of pore size 2 micrometer and remained
after subsequent drying in an oven at 180 degrees Celsius.”

Environmental Significance/Impacts

 Temperature and TDS

As water temperature increases, the conductivity of water also increases; where TDS in
water is directly related to conductivity. For each 1°C increment, conductivity rise by 2–
4%. Temperature influences conductivity by increasing ions mobility and additionally the
dissolvability of many salts and minerals.
 Taste of water
TDS concentration has a direct impact on the taste of water. A very low concentration of
TDS produces undesirable taste of water, as many people buy mineral water, which has
natural levels of dissolved solids. Increased concentrations of dissolved solids can also
have technical effects.

NEQS Guidelines

The guidelines of total dissolve solids (TDS) given for drinking and waste water are:

 Waste water
For waste water total dissolve solids should be less than 3500 mg/
 Drinking water
TDS should be less than 1000 mg/l.

Collection and Sampling

 Container: For collection of sample use clean glass or plastic bottles.

  Storage: Analyze the sample as soon possible after collection but it can be stored at 4
degrees Celsius in refrigerator.
 Holding Time: Sample can be stored for 7 days after collection.

Interference

There are no very prominent interferences in the water sample for solid measurement.

Materials Required

 Conductivity meter
 Water sample
 Distilled water

Procedure

 Calibrate the conductivity meter with distilled water to attain proper readings
 Remove the protective cap, switch the meter on and insert the probe into the water
sample up to the immersion level.
 Move the probe up and down or tap it to remove air bubbles from around the electrodes.
 Allow the probe to reach the temperature of the water before taking a reading.
 wait about 30 seconds before taking the reading. If the water is much colder than the
probe, allow a longer period, say two minutes before taking a reading.
 If the meter has no temperature compensation mechanism, take the temperature of the
sample and use a correction table to get the right value.
 Read the display, and record the result.

Observation

Conductivity meter showed the reading of 46.2 mg/L level at 250C

Results

The salinity of given water sample is 46.2 mg/L.

Comments

We have performed the above experiment to find the value of TDS in the water sample. We have
used tab water as water sample to check TDS in it. As TDS, and conductivity are related to each
other so, the value of TDS is very important in measuring of water quality specifically in oceans.
We have use the conductivity/salinity/TDS meter in the lab to measure the TDS. It was a quite
interesting activity to perform.