Jos Antonio Muoz Villegas, Luis Teruelo Garca.

Carlos Carnerero
Mendoza Working group number 2.

- Practice 2: Water quality. Total hardness. Joint determination

carbonates and bicarbonates
Objectives
Evaluate the quality of irrigation water, determining the existence of calcium and magnesium
ions. Learn to assess the carbonates and bicarbonates and interpret the data obtained in the
measurement of these.

Foundation
This practice is based on knowledge gained from previous practice, and we rely on them for
the study of irrigation water. After studying the pH of the irrigation water, which is a measure
of acidity or alkalinity of the solution, we can determine the acidic or basic character of this,
since the pH indicates the concentration of hydronium ion [H3O +] present in this . Distilled
water pH is 7, which can vary with the substances in solution and suspension having, but varies
between 6.5 and 8.
When CO2 come in contact with water, it generates (H2CO3), and becomes part of the acidbase balance, hydrolyzing water to donate protons to the medium. The reaction sequence is
produced as follows:

1)

2)

3)
Substances normally found in water are dissolved CO2, Ca, Mg, H2CO3, HCO3-.
The best pH for most plant is between 6.5 and 7, ie neutral. Some calls, acidophilic, prefer less
than 6, and others (calccolas) are happy with a pH above 7.

Material used
- Study of water
Material used: Water, pH meter, Conductivity, wash bottle, Pipette, Test Tube, Dissolution of
Na (OH) to 40% (w / w), pH 10 Dissolution regulator, EDTA 0.01, burette, burette stand,
Erlenmeyer 250 ml, mixed with NaCl indicators (solid mixtures):
NET 1%
CALCON 1%

Experimental process
- Determination of the pH and conductivity of two samples of tap water
- Determination of the concentration of calcium and magnesium cations
1. We clean the burette.
2. Prepare the solution titrate with water, pH 10 buffer and pointer mix NET (0.2 g).
3. Prepare and enter the titrant in the burette (0.01M EDTA).
4. We write the data in the assessment.

- Determination of the concentration of calcium cations exclusively

1. We clean the burette.
2. The solution prepared by precipitating magnesium cations value by adding 5 ml of the
strong base, checking that the pH is greater than 12 and add the indicator 0.3g CALCON
3. Prepare and introduce the titrant in the burette (0.01M EDTA).
4. We write the data in the assessment.
- Determination of the concentration of the carbonates and bicarbonates of water
1. We clean the burette.
2. Prepare the solution value using the first indicator (phenolphthalein).
3. Prepare and introduzcimos the titrant in the burette (0.1M HCl).
4. We conducted the evaluation by taking the data necessary to reach the first endpoint.
5. We added the second indicator (methyl orange).
6. Prepare and introduce the titrant in the burette (0.1M HCl).
7. We assess taking the data necessary to reach the second endpoint.

-Data treatment
Hardness of water

We determinate the mols of Ca and Mg

"

Laboratory results we have obtained that the color change occurs with 9.8 ml. d EDTA. Repeat
the above process, but this time one mole of EDTA is equal to one mole of calcium.
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Determination of CO3= and HCO3We prepared a sample with 100ml. water, we add the indicator and pour then HCl (0.1 M)
slowly until it changes color. This means that all carbonates have become bicarbonates.
() * + ,) ( - , ()* + , (
./#0

1'

,
() * "

*2

1'
1'

*2

*)

1'

We prepare the second tritation. Add methyl orange solution to turn orange, and then return
to add HCl (0.1 M) until it turns to produce a color change.
, ()* + ,) ( - ,
3 ./0

45

,
'

67

*2

, ()* "

'

*2

() + , (
*2

./#0

'

In the first titration we used 15 ml and the second 3 ml of HCl.

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*2

-Issues
1. You are a farmer who have found water in your farm. What information you need to
request from a laboratory to irrigate the farm with the water? Describe the most
important parameters to measure water quality and explain which chemical information
you may obtain from them.
pH, concentration of hydrogen ions in the water. It should be between 6 and 8.
Hardness, amount of calcium and magnesium salts found in the water.
Alkalinity or become acidic resistance, this is determined by the amount of carbonates and
bicarbonates.
2. Whats the difference between a complexometric titration and an acid-base titration?
Complexometric titration (or Quelatometra) is a volumetric analysis based on the formation of
compounds bit. It is typically used forming a colored complex to indicate the endpoint of the
titration.
The complexometric titrations are particularly useful for the determination of a mixture of
different metal ions in solution.
An acid-base titration is an assessment from a neutralization between the analyte (we know its
solution concentration) and titrant (solution whose concentration know). Once the solution
reaches its stoichiometric calculate the concentration was in the container.
The second degree, is an acid-base titration, neutralize the carbonate and bicarbonate ions
with hydrochloric acid for their concentrations by measuring the amount of acid thrown to the
stoichiometric point.