EXPERIMENT: ALKALINITY INTRODUCTION: Alkalinity of water is its acid-neutralizing capacity. It is the sum of all the titratable bases.

The measured value may vary signi cantly with the end point pH used. Alkalinity is a measure of an aggregate property of water. It is signi cant in many uses and treatment of natural waters and waste waters. Because of alkalinity of many surface water is primarily a function of carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide content. It is taken as an indication of the concentration of these constituents. Principle: Alkalinity depends on the end point pH used. For samples of low alkalinity (less than 20 mg CaCO3) use an extrapolation technique. End Points: When alkalinity is due entirely to carbonate or bicarbonate content, the pH at the equivalence point of the titration is determined by the concentration of carbon dioxide CO2 at that stage. Phenolphthalein or metacresol purple may be used for alkalinity titration to pH 8.3. Ranges of alkalinity pH OH CO3-

1 1.5 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------OH 9.5 CO3HCO3-

-------------------------------------------------------------------- --------HCO3 CO3Phenolphthalein

8.2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------end point HCO3CO2 Methyl Orange

4.3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------end point

Alkalinity is determined by titration with acid to end point pH 8.2 and pH 4.3 pH = 8.2 Phenolphthalein (Pink above - clear below) pH = 4.3 Methyl Orange (Yellow orange above - red below)

Equipment: Burette Burette Stand Beakers Graduated cylinder

Reagents: N/50 Sulphuric acid Phenolphthalein indicator Methyl orange indicator

PROCEDURE: l. Measure 50ml of sample into each beaker and add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator. If the solution turns pink, titrate to a colorless end point using N/50sulfuric acid. Record the results as X ml. (Note if clear solution is obtained at the beginning then X=0) 2. To same solution now add 3-5 drops of methyl orange indicator. Titrate to red end point using N/50 Sulfuric acid. Record the result as Y ml. (Note. Y denotes the amount of acid consumed since the beginning of titration)

CALCULATIONS: The results obtained from the phenolphthalein and total alkalinity determinations after a means for stoichiometric classi cation of the three principal forms of alkalinity present in many waters. Phenolphthalein alkalinity Total alkalinity P=X * 1000/50*50*0.02 mg/l as CaCO3. T=Y * 1000/50*50*0.027mg/l as CaCO3

Hence calculate the respective concentration of Hydroxide, Carbonate and Bicarbonate alkalinities.

DISCUSSION: 1. Discuss the importance of Alkalinity measurement 2. Discuss on the practical errors encounted