ABSTRACT

This experiment is conducted to determine dissolved chemical that contain in water such as
2 3
chlorine (Cl2), sulfate ( SO 4 ), iron (Fe), and phosphorus ( PO 4 ). A sample of Tasik

Seksyen 7, Shah Alam is taken to be tested. The objective of this experiment is to determine
whether the sample water reach the range of the dissolved heavy metals (chlorine, sulfate,
chromium, iron, and phosphorus) in water when a certain volume is taken to be
experimented. From the results obtained, the quality and safety of the water can also be
determined. Chlorine, sulfate, phosphorus, iron and chromium which exist in the sample of
water are the pollutants that to be determined by using the Portable Spectrophotometer DR
2400. It is also be used to measure the wavelength and the mass of the pollutants, according
to the density shown by the apparatus. [RESULT]The concentrations of the heavy metals in
the water sample are as follows; chlorine total (0.36mg/L), chlorine free (0.10mg/L), sulfate
(25.0mg/L), phosphorus (0.43mg/L) and iron (0.96mg/L). [CONCLUSION: Find out
whether the water samples comply with Malaysian Water Standards].The experiment is
completed and conducted successfully.

INTRODUCTION

In 2006, a total of 1,064 water quality monitoring stations located within 146 river basins
were monitored. Out of these 1,064 monitoring stations, 619 (58%) were found to be clean,
359 (34%) slightly polluted and 86 (8%) polluted. Stations located upstream were generally
clean, while those downstream were either slightly polluted or polluted. In terms of river
basin water quality, 80 river basins (55%) were clean, 59 (40%) slightly polluted and 7 (5%)
were polluted. The major pollutants were Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Ammoniacal
Nitrogen (NH3-N) and Suspended Solids (SS). In 2006, 22 river basins were categorized as
being polluted by BOD, 41 river basins by NH 3-N and 42 river basins by SS. High BOD was
contributed largely by untreated or partially treated sewage and discharges from agro-based
and manufacturing industries. The main sources of NH3-N were domestic sewage and
livestock farming, whilst the sources for SS were mostly earthworks and land clearing
activities. Analysis of heavy metals in 5,613 water samples revealed that almost all samples
complied with Class III, National Water Quality Standards for arsenic (As), mercury (Hg),
cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), except iron (Fe) with 83 percent
compliance.

The statements above shows the reality of todays water quality, where most of it is
contaminated by heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), and
chlorine(Cl). The exposure and existence of these heavy metals are apparently one of the
main threats to humans health. These metals have been studied extensively and their
circumstances on human health regularly reviewed by international parties such as the World
Health Organization (WHO). For thousands of years have heavy metals been used by
humans, and although several adverse health effect upon exposure of these hazardous metals
are being informed to public awareness, the harmful situations are nevertheless still going on,
particularly in many not-so-developed countries. The perspective of people regarding the
heavy metals pollution is that it is associated only in areas where great deals of industries are
operating. On the contrary, roadways and automobiles are now considered as large possible
sources for such hazardous heavy metals. Zinc, copper and lead are the most common heavy
metals which by chance are released from road travels, which accounts for at least 90 percent
of the total metals in road runoff. On the road surface, most heavy metals become bound to
the surfaces of road dust or other particulates. During precipitation, the bound metals will
either become soluble (dissolved) or be swept off the roadway with the dust. In either case,
the metals enter the soil or are channeled into a storm drain. Whether in the soil or aquatic
environment, metals can be transported by several processes. These processes are governed
by the chemical nature of metals, soil and sediment particles, and the pH of the surrounding
environment.

As a matter of fact, heavy metals can be very harmful to ones health if a drinking water
containing such deadly metals is consumed. The adverse circumstances include disturbance
in growth and development, triggering cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in
extreme cases, causing fatal. Research shows that youngsters are more susceptible to be
affected to the toxicity of the heavy metals, as the rapidly developing body systems in fetus,
infants and young children are far more sensitive than the adults. The effects include learning
difficulties, memory impairment, damage to the nervous system, and behavioral problems
such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Irreversible brain damage results from overdose of
the metals. Humans are therefore needed to be highly aware with the harmful effects the
water containing heavy metals could bring to ones health. Heavy metal pollution is a quickly
growing problem for our oceans, lakes, and rivers. Right now it may not be the biggest
pollution problem, but just waiting for it to go away or to let it solve itself is not going to
help. We need to be aware of the problems heavy metal creates, so we all, in our own little
ways, can contribute to the solutions. Heavy metal pollution is a threat to human health,
animals, plants, and the planet itself, and is mainly caused by industrialization and its
consequences. While some of the metal pollutants come from fertilizers and sewage, the
biggest source of heavy metal pollution definitely is industrialization.

AIMS

1. To determine the levels of chlorine (total and free), iron, sulphates and phosphorous in
a series of water samples.
2. To find out whether the water samples comply with Malaysian Water Standards.
THEORY[EDIT:MSKKN MSIAN WATER STNDARDS]

Polluted drinking water can be found anywhere. Even in cities or countries that claim to have
healthy water supplies, there are still cases regarding polluted water because the local water
may contain unique bacteria that humans body is not used to. Unsafe drinking water sources
can spread serious diseases, such as potential water-borne illnesses like Hepatitis A, Typhoid
Fever, viral gastroenteritis, cholera, cyclosporiasis and schistosomiasis. Most of these
diseases have different types of systems, but they all result in abdominal pain, cramping and
diarrhea. The United States of America are one of the countries that operates numerous heavy
industrial factories and have records of polluted environment, which explains lots of news
and reports stating that most tap and well water in that country is not safe for drinking
purpose recently. The heavy metals penetrate and pollute our natural water sources along with
toxic bacteria and other chemicals, making people sick as well as causing long term health
consequences such as liver damage, cancer and other serious health problems. It is even
believed that almost all our sources of water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes,
rivers, and even glaciers, contain some level of contamination. Even some brands of bottled
water have been found to be polluted and harmful in addition to plastic chemical leaching
from the bottle.

Chlorine, for examples, is usually added to water to deactivate and destroy disease-causing
microorganisms and is the most widely used as disinfectant in the United States. It can react
with naturally occurring organic compounds found in water supply, which in turns produce
hazardous compounds, known as disinfection by-products (DBPs). Trihalomethanes (THMs)
and haloacetic acids are common DBPs. It is undeniably potentially carcinogenic especially
to organs such as kidney and liver. Due to this, federal regulations in the United States of
America require regular monitoring of the concentrations of these compounds in the
distribution systems of municipal water systems. Nevertheless, the WHO states that the risks
to health from DBPs are extremely small in comparison within adequate disinfection.

The Secondary Drinking Water Regulations recommend a maximum concentration of

2
250mg/L for sulfate ions ( SO 4 ). Sulfate is in fact occurs in almost all natural waters.

Sulfate is indeed one of the major dissolved constituents in rainwater. High concentrations of
sulfate in drinking water cause a laxative effect when combined with magnesium and
calcium. Bacteria which in fact attacks and reduces sulfates, causes the formation of
hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S).

Phosphorus occurs naturally in rocks and other mineral deposits. Technically, the rocks
release the phosphorus as phosphate ions which are soluble in water and the mineralize
3
phosphate compounds breakdown. Phosphates ( PO4 ) are formed from this element.

Phosphate occurs in living and decaying plants and animals as free ions or weakly chemically
bounded in aqueous, to sediments and soils, or as mineralized compounds in soils, rocks and
sediments. The phosphorus is often scarce in the well-oxygenated waters and low levels of
phosphorus results in the limitation of production of freshwater systems. Phosphates are
generally not toxic to humans or animals unless they are present in high levels of
concentration. Phosphorus pollution accelerates a process called eutrophication, which is
essentially the process of a lakes biological death due to depleted bioavailable oxygen. The
build-up of phosphate in the lake water or any surface water ecosystem leads to
overproduction of lake or water body which results in the imbalance in the nutrient and
material cycling process. There will be massive production of phytoplankton and therefore
cause variety of problems ranging from anoxic waters to toxic algal blooms as well as
decrease in diversity, food supply and destroying the habitats. Excessive growth of algal due
to phosphorus pollution increase water treatments costs, degrades fishing and boating
activities as well as impacts tourism and property values.

The maximum contaminant level (MCLs) of iron is 0.3mg/L. Iron ingestion is not generally
unhealthy and absolutely necessary in small amounts. However, research has found that
exposure to high levels of iron can lead to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Iron is often
included in supplements and enriched products. It also contains in red meat, therefore easily
to be consumed.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL [EDIT]

1. Pour-Thru Cell
2. Portable Spectrophotometer DR 2400
3. 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask
4. 10-mL and 25-mL cell riser
5. Clippers
6. 25-mL graduated cylinder
7. Sample water
8. DPD Total Chlorine Powder Pillow
9. DPD Free Chlorine Powder Pillow
10. Sulfa Ver 4 Sulfate Reagent Powder Pillow
11. Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow
12. Ferro Ver Iron Reagent Powder Pillow
PROCEDURE
RESULT

Color of
Substance Reagent Range, mg/L Result, mg/L
solution
DPD Total
Chlorine
Chlorine, total
Powder Pillow

DPD Free
Chlorine
Chlorine, free
Powder Pillow

Sulfa Ver 4
Sulfate Reagent
Sulfate
Powder Pillow

Phos Ver 3
Phosphorus Phosphate
reactive Powder Pillow

Ferro Ver Iron

Reagent Powder
Iron
Pillow
CALCULATIONS

Chlorine, Total (Cl2)

The concentration of chlorine = 0.36 mg/L

10 mL
The volume of a sample = 1000 = 0.01L

The mass of chlorine = 0.36 mg/L x 0.01 L = 3.6 10-3mg

Chlorine, Free (Cl2)

The concentration of chlorine = 0.36 mg/L

10 mL
The volume of a sample = 1000 = 0.01L

The mass of chlorine = 0.36 mg/L x 0.01 L = 3.6 10-3mg

SO

Sulfate 2 )

The concentration of sulfate = 0.36 mg/L

10 mL
The volume of a sample = 1000 = 0.01L

The mass of sulfate = 0.36 mg/L x 0.01 L = 3.6 10-3mg

3
Phosphate reactive ( PO 4 ).

The concentration of phosphate = 0.36 mg/L

10 mL
The volume of a sample = 1000 = 0.01L

The mass of phosphate = 0.36 mg/L x 0.01 L = 3.6 10-3mg

Iron total (Fe)

The concentration of iron = 0.36 mg/L

10 mL
The volume of a sample = 1000 = 0.01L

The mass of iron = 0.36 mg/L x 0.01 L = 3.6 10-3mg

DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION

Firstly, the outside surface of the round water sample is best wiped first before inserted into
the spectrophotometer. This is to ensure that there are no fingerprints on it which might
interfere the reading analysis. Secondly, the sample must be analyzed immediately after
collection and cannot be kept for later analysis. This is because the heavy metals content of
the water sample might differ from the time it is collected until it is analyzed. In addition, the
collection of the water sample is preferentially near the middle of the water stream and at
least at one arms length of depth. This is because most heavy metals are bounded at inner
depth of any water streams

REFERENCE

1. http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/malaysia/river.htm
2. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/newsletter/heavymetal.htm
3. http://www.serconline.org/phosphorus/background.html
4.