Water samples on the basis of: PH, Orthophosphates and electrical conductivity ( EC)
Water samples on the basis of: PH, Orthophosphates and electrical conductivity ( EC)
Please write 300- 350 words report and compare water samples that we had on the basis of: PH, Orthophosphates and electrical conductivity ( EC). With this report, you will explain, how these water do differ regarding these 4 elements.
Introduction:
There are a lot of factors that affect water quality. Some of them are pH, Conductivity, Orthophosphate, Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen. We tested our samples for pH, Conductivity and Orthophosphate. pH is a measure of alkalinity and acidity of water; Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conduct an electric current; while orthophosphate is an essential nutrient for plant growth and is added to our drinking water as anti-corrosion to prevent lead contamination.
Procedures of measurements:
- pH: We rinsed the pH electrode with deionized water to make sure we have accurate results, and the we measured our samples. The pH scale contains values falling between 0 and 14, where values lower than 7 are acidic and values higher than 7 are alkaline, 7 is neutral. Record results.
- Conductivity: We rinsed the conductivity meter with deionized water to for accurate results, then measured the samples. Record results.
- Orthophosphate: Set power to DR 2800 Spectrophotometer, take 25 ml sample water into 25 V-flask, prepare a sample of 25 ml of deionized water (blank), then add 1 ml of Molbedovandate reagent to samples, allow 10 minutes for color to change, measure the blank sample as zero then measure other samples. Record results.
Samples Results:
| Sample Name | pH | Orthophosphate (PO4-P) | Conductivity (uS) |
| Rock Creek1 | 8.14 | 0.2 | 1,083 |
| Little Falls | 8.82 | -0.1 | 1,130 |
| Rock Creek2 | 7.43 | -0.4 | 1,170 |
| Lanham, MD | 7.17 | 1.4 | 1,992 |
| Tap Water | 7.59 | 0.1 | 350 |
| Anacostia River | 7.25 | -0.8 | 1,333 |
| Tuckerman | 7.34 | 1.3 | 2,057 |
Discussion:
- Highest pH: Mass. Avenue; and the cause may be high CO2 in water or use of salts to dissolve snow.
- Lowest pH: Lanham; absence of sediments that may result in change of pH.
- Highest phosphorus levels: Lanham, MD.
- Lowest phosphorus levels: Anacostia River.
- Highest Conductivity: Tuckerman; the cause may be high levels of rocks and dissolved solids and mineral salts.
- Lowest Conductivity: Tap water; the cause may be low levels of dissolved solids and mineral salts.
