MATERIALS AND METHODS The exercise on the physic-chemical analysis of water quality is comprised of 11 tests to help the students

understand the variations in water quality characteristics of different water types. The general procedure starts with the collection of water samples from an assigned aquatic site. In this case, the experimenters obtained water samples from the pond beside the PGH chapel, a freshwater system. 3 empty Gatorade bottles were used as containers. The following tests were performed after getting the samples: A. Turbidity or Light Penetration Water sample was poured into a Cuvette tube. Using a spectrophotometer, the measure of transmittance was obtained using a wavelength of 540nm. The test was replicated with the samples from the other 2 bottles. B. Water Temperature For 2 minutes, a mercury thermometer was immersed an inch under the water surface and the reading, in degrees Celsius, was noted afterwards. C. Water pH Preferably, to get accurate results, a digital pH meter should be used but due to certain problems with the pH meter, the experimenters had to use pH paper. The pH paper was dipped for 5 seconds, immersing the color indicators below the water surface. The recording of the pH was done immediately on the site so as not to be affected by other external factors. D. Salinity The test on salinity was not performed because the Salinity-Conductivity-Temperature (SCT) meter was non-functional. E. Conductivity The test on conductivity was not performed due to the same trouble encountered with the test on salinity. F. Color Determination A portion of the water sample was transferred into test tubes and was observed behind a clear paper for the apparent color of the water. The same water sample was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes and, this time, the true color of the water was observed against a clear paper. G. Total Solids

100 mL of the water sample was filtered using an oven-dried, pre-weighed filter paper. The filter paper was then oven-dried at 105 degrees Celsius until it has regained its papery texture and was cooled in the desiccator and was finally weighed. The weight of filterable solids was obtained by getting the difference in the weight before and after. To determine the weight of dissolved solids, 50 mL of the filtrate was poured into a pre-weighed evaporating dish. The dish was heated using a hot plate and the water was allowed to evaporate to dryness. The dish was then allowed to cool in the desiccators and was weighed. The difference in the weight of the dish with water and dry dish was obtained to know the weight of dissolved solids. The sum of the differences in both procedures is the weight of total solids in the water sample. H. Total Alkalinity 100 mL of the water sample was poured into an Erlenmeyer flask and then 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator was added to the water. Since the water did not turn red, the alkalinity was believed to be at 0. Further titration with a syringe was carried out after the addition of 5 drops of methyl orange until the water turned old rose in color. I. Dissolved Oxygen A Winkler titration method with Azide modification was performed to determine the dissolved oxygen present in the sample. Thiosulfate, being an unstable compound, needed to be standardized before use. 2g of KI was dissolved in 150 mL distilled water in a 200 mL Erlenmeyer flask, and was then added with 10% v/v sulfuric acid, followed by 20 mL of standard 0.025 N potassium dichromate. The solution was let to stand in the dark for 5 minutes and was diluted to 400 mL, and was titrated with 0.025 N thiosulfate solution with the aid of a starch indicator.
  

For the dissolved oxygen determination, water sample was collected using an empty Gatorade bottle in lieu of a BOD bottle. The water was carefully contained in the bottle without leaving bubbles inside; the cap was secured below the water surface. Immediately after getting the sample, 2mL of magnesium sulfate followed by 2mL of alkali-iodide-azide (AIA) reagent. The reagents were added using a buret and an aspirator, and were introduced to the sample halfway through the bottle so as not to ooze out of the bottle. It was covered with the lid and was shaken and inverted for 15 times. After allowing the precipitate to settle, the stopper was removed. 2mL of sulfuric acid was immediately added running down the surface of the bottle, in the same manner as the previous two reagents. Once a change in color was observed, it was allowed to stand for 4 hours, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. A titration of the solution was carried out. 203mL of the sample was transferred to a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask. The syringe, (1cc) to be used was rinsed with 0.025 N sodium thiosulfate and the titration was performed until a very pale yellow was observed, and the amount of

thiosulfate was noted throughout the procedure. A white paper was placed behind the flask to observe for the color. 2 mL of the starch solution was added and a change in color was observed from pale yellow to blue. Titration was further done until the solution turned colorless, and then the amount of thiosulfate used was calculated. Lastly, calculation for the DO was done, with the equation:
     

Take not that 1.0 mL of 0.025 N sodium thiosulfate is equivalent to 100 micrograms/L DO. J. Free Carbon Dioxide Phenolphtalein solution was prepared by mixing 5 g of phenolphthalein in 1L of 50% alcohol neutralized with N/50 sodium hydroxide, unless it was already colorless. N/44 sodium hydroxide solution was also prepared. To get the free carbon dioxide level, the water sample was stored under a temperature of 4-10 degrees Celsius using ice cubes. 100 mL of water sample was carefully poured in a beaker and then 10 drops of phenolphthalein solution and was titrated with N/44 sodium hydroxide solution until the solution turns pink. The volume of sodium hydroxide titrated and was multiplied by 10. K. Total Hardness To test for the presence of calcium and magnesium ions in the water sample, the method of determining used was based on the ability of the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or EDTA to form stable unionized complexes with the metals mentioned. 25 mL of the water sample was diluted with distilled water to 50 mL in a Erlenmeyer flask. A buffer solution, consisted of 2.9475 g of EDTA, .1950 g MgSO4 dissolved in 12.5 mL H2O, mixed with 4.225 g ammonium chloride and 35.75 mL conc. ammonium hydroxide dissolved in 62.5 mL distilled water, was added. 0.1 g of Eriochrome Black T indicator was dropped into the solution and was shaken. The solution was titrated with 0.01M EDTA (3.723 g EDTA disodium salt dissolved in distilled water and diluted to 1L) until the red wine color disappeared and turned blue. The volume of the titrant at endpoint was recorded.