Analysis Of Florida Water
Background: Have you ever thought how much minerals the water you drink from contains? This question may entail some adequate amount of research to explain. Water present in lakes, rivers, and oceans has minerals which exist in them. They contain various types of minerals but mainly existing are Calcium and Magnesium. To figure out the amounts by which those minerals exist, a standardized solution has to be present first. Then, you should be performing a titration using the EDTA solution in hand while raising your pH to 10 so that the EDTA can form bonds with your Ca2+ ions.
Theory: This lab is concerned with performing analysis on samples from Florida water and identifying the water hardness present there. This type of experiment is conducted every year in Florida by several institutions to determine that the water is okay and ready for use by people. Such experiments have to be held every year to determine if the water is still good for use or does it have any threats or dangers that need to be assessed quickly. The main objective of this experiment is to determine the water hardness present in several samples from Florida waters and to identify the best way to filter those samples.
Hypothesis/Objectives: During week 1, we should be conducting several trials of titrations using our EDTA solution and the water samples we brought with us, which was tap water. During week 2, however, we should be filtering water samples after making sure all the solutions are titrated and solutions have turned purple.
When solutions turn purple, this means bonds of EDTA and Ca2+ have formed, thus ensuring the best results. After filtering it, we should measure the ppm and conductivity of the samples. We hypothesize that we get ppm values between that are around 180 since tap water does not bring water deep underground. The shallower that water is, the less minerals it contains; consequently, the less hard the water is. Methods: Week 1: During this experiment, we test water samples from Florida waters to find the water hardness in them and introduce a solution which can filter them and reduce those minerals. For this analysis, the experiment took 2 weeks to be done. During week 1, we first did and standardized an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. After standardizing the solution, we had to perform some titrations on the different water samples we brought. After gathering all the materials needed to begin our experiment, we began by making the EDTA solution with a 0. 01 Mol of concentration.
To make the EDTA solution in the beginning, 25 mL of water was added to the previously diluted solution and the same thing was repeated once again. Then, three trials of titrations were conducted with their results recorded. Nearly 5 drops of Ammonia were present in all the three trials. When performing the titration for Calcium 1, we used 1. 4 ml of EDTA and 5 drops of Ammonia before the solution turned blue. In Calcium 2, 2. 9 mL of EDTA were used and 5 drops of Ammonia were added before the solution turned blue. Last but not least, while performing titration for Calcium 3, 2. 5 mL of EDTA were used and 5 drops of Ammonia before the solution turned to light purple. Week 2: During week 2, we should have figured out the best way to filter those solutions. Not only this, but to get the best results, we should have recorded some information for the ppm and conductivity values for the given samples. However, due to the limited time of the lab, we were only able to start doing the first filtration method using the resin and the filter tube for the first trial. Safety: Laboratory coat, scrub pants, splash proof goggles, and gloves must be worn at all times. Wash your hands thoroughly at the end of the experiment. Water is not a chemical hazard. Avoid direct contact with chemicals used in lab without all the safety outfits are on. Ammonium Hydroxide is a corrosive solution, wear the proper personal protective equipment during the wet chemistry period. Use small amounts of chemicals. Refer to SDS for any chemicals you choose to use and discuss their safety with your TA. Safety of chemicals: Ca(No3)
Hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact, of ingestion, or inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. Prolonged exposure may result in skin burns and ulcerations. Over-exposure by inhalation may cause respiratory irritation.
Hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact, of ingestion, or inhalation. Possess serious health and safety hazards. If ingested, calcium chloride can lead to burns in the mouth and throat, excess thirst, vomiting, stomach pain, and low blood pressure. It can also cause skin irritation by causing dryness or moist skin. For prolonged exposures to this chemical, it can cause skin burns, cardiac disturbances, respiration issues, and seizures. NH4OHVery hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact, or ingestion. Non-corrosive to the eyes. Non-corrosive for lungs. Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract, characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath.
The molecular weight for the EDTA solution was calculated using the formula: M1V1=M2V2. pH was always measured before doing any titration to ensure it was about 10 so that the best results can be obtained. Part 2: During the second week, water hardness should be recorded twice. First time before filtering the water solution, and the second time after the filtration. It was also supposed to prepare 0. 01M of EDTA from 0. 1M of EDTA. To perform such a calculation, the formula given above was used: M1V1=M2V2. The known volume was 225 ml. Sources of Error: There are always sources of error that are present in every experiment. Some potential sources of error during this experiment may be an excess of the drops of the EDTA solution which may have continued dropping in the beaker even after the solution turned blue. Other sources of error may include very small fluctuations which may have taken place while measuring the calcium chloride on the digital balance. Finally, sometimes the meniscus is not read so well while trying to identify the exact amount of EDTA used from the burette.
Conclusion: During the second week, the step reached was filtering the solution using the DI resin filter, however, no results were yet recorded due to the shortage of the time of the lab. Consequently, it was not recorded as to which filtering system gives better results. Research Connection: An organization named Skillings & Sons has written an article which addresses the issue of water hardness directly. Those people come up with statistics that say that as much as 1in every 8 people does not have access to safe water. This unsafe water includes water which is classified as hard water. Hard water is called like that due to the issue that its rich in minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium which, in return, may cause some problems such as "cardiovascular problems, diabetes, reproductive failure and so on" (Skillings & Sons). They present that those minerals are not limited to Clacium and Magnesium only, but also "other dissolved solids such as aluminum, barium, strontium, iron, zinc, and manganese that may be present can also cause hardness in water" (Skillings & Sons)
