2.

0 EXPERIMENT ON DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY

Sl. No.

Contents
Preamble

2.1

Aim

2.2

Introduction
2.2.1

Environmental Significance

2.3

Principle

2.4

Materials Required
2.4.1

Apparatus Required

2.4.2

Chemicals Required

2.5

Sample Handling and Preservation

2.5.1

2.6

Precautions
Procedure

2.6.1

Preparation of Reagents

2.6.2

Calibrating the Instrument

2.6.3

Testing of Water Sample

2.7

Calculation
2.7.1

Table

2.7.2

Data Sheet

2.8

Interpretation of Results

2.9

Inference

2.10

Evaluation

2.0 EXPERIMENT ON DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY

PREAMBLE:
How to determine turbidity in Water and Wastewater.
Test procedure is in accordance to IS: 3025 (Part 10) - Reaffirmed 2002.
In addition to our Indian Standard, we also discuss in brief regarding the procedure
stated in
(1) APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater - 20th
Edition. Method 2130 B.
(2) Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA-600/4-79-020, USEPA,
Method 180.1.
2.1 AIM
To determine the turbidity of the given water sample with the stipulations as per IS:
3025 (Part 10) - Reaffirmed 2002.
2.2 INTRODUCTION
Turbidity is the technical term referring to the cloudiness of a solution and it is a
qualitative characteristic which is imparted by solid particles obstructing the
transmittance of light through a water sample. Turbidity often indicates the presence
of dispersed and suspended solids like clay, organic matter, silt, algae and other
microorganisms.
2.2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

When the turbid water in a small, transparent container such as drinking glass is held
up to the light, an aesthetically displeasing opaqueness or milky coloration is
apparent. The colloidal material which exerts turbidity provides adsorption sites for
chemicals and for biological organism that may not be harmful. They may be harmful
or cause undesirable tastes and odours. Disinfection of turbid water is difficult
because of the adsorptive characteristics of some colloids and because the solids
may partially shield organisms from disinfectant. In natural water bodies, turbidity may
impart a brown or other color to water and may interfere with light penetration and
photosynthetic reaction in streams and lakes. Turbidity increases the load on slow
sand filters.
The filter may go out of operation, if excess turbidity exists. Knowledge of the turbidity
variation in raw water supplies is useful to determine whether a supply requires
special treatment by chemical coagulation and filtration before it may be used for a
public water supply. Turbidity measurements are used to determine the effectiveness
of treatment produced with different chemicals and the dosages needed. Turbidity

measurements help to gauge the amount of chemicals needed from day-to-day

operation of water treatment works.
Measurement of turbidity in settled water prior to filtration is useful in controlling
chemical dosages so as to prevent excessive loading of rapid sand filters. Turbidity
measurements of the filtered water are needed to check on faulty filter operation.
Turbidity measurements are useful to determine the optimum dosage of coagulants to
treat domestic and industrial wastewaters. Turbidity determination is used to evaluate
the performance of water treatment plants.
2.3 PRINCIPLE
Turbidity is based on the comparison of the intensity of light scattered by the sample
under defined conditions with the intensity of the light scattered by a standard
reference suspension under the same conditions. The turbidity of the sample is thus
measured from the amount of light scattered by the sample taking a reference with
standard turbidity suspension. The higher the intensity of scattered light the higher is
the turbidity. Formazin polymer is used as the primary standard reference
suspension.
2.4 MATERIALS REQUIRED
2.4.1 APPARATUS REQUIRED

1. Turbidity Meter
2. Sample Cells
3. Standard flasks
4. Funnel
5. Wash Bottle
6. Tissue Papers
2.4.2 CHEMICALS REQUIRED

1. Hexamethylenetetramine
2. Hydrazine sulphate
3. Distilled water

2.5 SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION

Water samples should be collected in plastic cans or glass bottles. All bottles must be
cleaned thoroughly and should be rinsed with turbidity free water.
Volume collected should be sufficient to insure a representative sample, allow for
replicate analysis (if required), and minimize waste disposal.
No chemical preservation is required. Keep the samples at 4C.
samples to freeze.

Do not allow

Analysis should begin as soon as possible after the collection. If storage is required,
samples maintained at 4C may be held for up to 48 hours.
2.5.1 PRECAUTIONS

The following precautions should be observed while performing the experiment:

The presence of coloured solutes causes measured turbidity values to be low.

Precipitation of dissolved constituents (for example, Fe) causes measured
turbidity values to be high.

Light absorbing materials such as

concentrations can cause low readings.

The presence of floating debris and coarse sediments which settle out rapidly
will give low readings. Finely divided air bubbles can cause high readings.

activated

carbon

in

significant

2.6 PROCEDURE
For testing the given water sample first the reagents are to be prepared. Then the
turbidity meter is required to be calibrated.
2.6.1 PREPARATION OF REAGENTS
1. Hydrazine Sulphate

Weigh accurately 1 g of hydrazine sulphate and dissolve it in turbidity free

distilled water.

Take 100 mL standard measuring flask and place a funnel over it.

Transfer it to a 100 mL standard flask and make up to 100 ml using turbidity

free distilled water.

2. Hexamethylene Tetramine

Weigh accurately 10 g of Hexamethylene tetramine and dissolve it in turbidity

free distilled water.

Take 100 mL standard measuring flask and place a funnel over it.

Transfer it to a 100 mL standard flask and make up to 100 ml using turbidity

free distilled water.

3. Standard 4000 NTU Solution

Mix 5 mL of hydrazine sulphate solution and 5 mL of Hexamethylenetetramine

solution in a 100 mL standard measuring flask.

Allow the mixture to stand for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, make up the volume to 100 mL using turbidity free distilled
water.

The standard 4000 NTU solution is ready.

2.6.2 CALIBRATION OF TURBIDITY METER

Using the standard solution calibrate the instrument.

The instrument is having four knobs, out of which the two knobs in the bottom is the
set zero knob, this is for setting the instrument to zero.
The one which is there in the top left hand side is the calibration knob, used for the
calibration.
The other one in the top is the knob for setting the detection range. It is adjusted to
1000 NTU range.
Step 1
To the sample cells, add turbidity free distilled water up to the horizontal mark, wipe
gently with soft tissue. Place it in the turbidity meter such that the vertical mark in the
sample cell should coincide with the mark in the turbidity meter and cover the sample
cell. Now using the set zero knob, adjust the reading to zero.
Step 2
According to our need, prepare a standard solution. In this case, a 200 NTU solution
is prepared by diluting the standard 4000 NTU solution and added to the sample cells,
up to the horizontal mark, wipe gently with soft tissue. Place it in the turbidity meter
such that the vertical mark in the sample cell should coincide with the mark in the
turbidity meter and cover the sample cell.
If the instrument is not showing 200 NTU, using the calibration knob adjust the
reading to 200 NTU.
Repeat the procedure for two / three times.
Now the instrument is calibrated.

2.6.3 TESTING OF WATER SAMPLE

To the sample cells, add sample water up to the horizontal mark, wipe gently
with soft tissue and place it in the turbidity meter such that the vertical mark in
the sample cell should coincide with the mark in the turbidity meter and cover
the sample cell.

Check for the reading in the turbidity meter. Wait until you get a stable reading.

The turbidity of the given water sample is 8.4 NTU.

2.7 CALCULATION
For determining the Turbidity of the given water sample the readings are required to
be tabulated.
2.7.1 TABLE

Sample
No.

Temperature of
Sample (C)

Turbidity
(NTU)

1.
2.
3.

For sample 1 the temperature of the sample is 27C and turbidity value 8.0 NTU
For sample 2 the temperature of the sample is 27C and the turbidity value 2.3 NTU
For sample 3 the temperature of the sample is 27C and obtained turbidity value is 44
NTU

2.7.2 DATA SHEET

DETERMINATION OF TURBIDITY
DATA SHEET
Date Tested

: August 30, 2010

Tested By

: CEM Class, Group A

Project Name

: CEM, NITTTR Lab

Sample Number

: BH1, BH2, BH3

Sample Location BH1 : Perungudi (Lat 12 57 31.74 & Long 8014 8.82)
Sample Description

: Surface water

Sample Location BH2 : Pallikarnai (Lat 12 56 31.02 & Long 8012 47.99)
Sample Description

: Ground water

Sample Location BH2 : Thiruvanmiyur (Lat 12 59 0.84 & Long 80 16 8.21)

Sample Description

: Sea water

TABULATION

Sample
No

Temperature
of Sample
(C)

Turbidity
(NTU)

27

8.0

27

2.3

27

44

Result:The turbidity of the given sample 1 = 8.0 NTU

The turbidity of the given sample 2 = 2.3 NTU
The turbidity of the given sample 3 = 44 NTU

2.8 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

The turbidity of the given water sample is 8 NTU.
[

2.9 INFERENCE
Turbidity is a measure of light transmission and indicates the presence of suspended
material such as clay, silt, finely divided organic material, plankton and other
inorganic material. If turbidity is high, be aware of possible bacterial contamination.
Normally the ground water is clear in nature and it will satisfy the codes need. The
ground water may get contaminated by intrusion of domestic or industrial wastewater
causing turbidity of the sample. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is usually objectionable
for aesthetic reasons. In case of freshwater lakes and ponds, due to contamination
and algal growth the turbidity of these water increases to very high levels. The clarity
of sea water is very low because of huge amount of suspended particles, thereby
increasing the turbidity.
2.10 EVALUATION
1. Turbidity is caused by Clay, Silt, Organic matter and Microbes.
a) True
b) False
2. The turbidity is measured based on the
a)
b)
c)
d)

Light absorbing properties

Light Scattering properties
Particle Size
Particle mass

3. The colour of the water sample affects the turbidity.

a) True
b) False
4. In a nephelo turbidity meter the light detectors are at
a)
b)
c)
d)

180
360
90
270

5. What is the unit of turbidity.

a)
b)
c)
d)

TU
MTU
NTU
IU

6. What is the light source for the nephelo turbidity meter?

a)
b)
c)
d)

Tungsten filament lamp

Deuterium lamp
Hallow Cathode lamp
Sodium vapour lamp

7. The turbidity affects the aquatic life in the water.

a) True
b) False
8. The standard unit of turbidity is considered as that produced by
a)
b)
c)
d)

2ppm of silica in distilled water

1ppm of silica in distilled water
4ppm of silica in distilled water
9ppm of silica in distilled water

9. The material used in the standard solution for nephelometer is ___.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Silica
Clay
Formazin
Barium Chloride

10. Mixture of hydrazine sulphate and hexamethylenetetramine solution is allowed to

stand for _____.
a)
b)
c)
d)

24 hours
12 hours
Minimum 6 hours
No specific time

KEY TO ITEMS:
1) True
2) b
3) True
4) c
5) c
6) a
7) True
8) b
9) c
10) a