VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

EXERCISE-6: ESTIMATION OF SOLIDS, ALKALINITY AND ACIDITY

Estimation of solids

The solids in the water samples in measured with total dissolved solids meter.

Procedure

• Approximately 50 ml of sample water to be tested is taken in a glass beaker.
• Remove the protective cover from the probe head.
• Turn the meter “on” by pressing the button.
• Press the mode button to select the total dissolved solids.
• Place the probe head into the sample to be measured.
• Insure that there is adequate movement of the liquid around the tip of the probe head.
• This can be achieved by sterling the meter in the liquid.
• The meter select the most appropriate water and display it.

Values

• Soft water = 0.1 mS (Mhos)
• Hard water = 2.0 mS (Mhos)
• Sea water = 50 mS (Mhos)

Estimation of alkalinity and acidity

Alkalinity and acidity is expressed as pH. The pH of a solution represents the Hydrogen ion concentration

Procedure

• The pH of the water samples is measure with pH meter.
• Approximately 15 ml of sample water to be tested is taken in a glass beaker
• Remove the protective cover from the probe head
• Turn the meter “on” by pressing the button
• Press the hold mode button to select pH
• Place the probe head into the samples.

Values

• The acceptable range of pH is 6.5 to 8.5