Data Analysis

Prior to the experiment, the researchers made the assumption that the
chloride content as

mg
L

mg NaCL
L

of the sample liquid exceeds the chronic limit of 150

but does not reach the lethal limit of 600

mg
L . Since the location of the

sampling point is within a residential area, it is expected that the concentration of

chlorides is high due to human activities like salting, washing and bleaching. The
researchers also find that there are human and animal wastes, and industrial
effluents that are being discharged in the river, so that the chloride content of the
sample liquid must be really high.
Table _.1 Average chloride content of sample liquid from sampling point Stonehill
Bridge A of Balili river
Chloride concentration

Sample

mgCl
L

mg NaCl
L

52.9836

87.429

41.9870

69.2785

55.4828

91.5466

Average

50.1511

82.7514

The data from Table _.1 shows an average of 50.1511

mg NaCl
L
mg
L

mgCl
L

and 82.7514

content of the sampling liquid. This is below the chronic limit of 150

and way below the lethal limit of 600

mg
L . The data disproves the

assumption of the researchers that the chloride content of the river has reached the
chronic limit.
Dilution in the river stream could be the main reason for obtaining a low
amount of chloride in the sample. It is possible that even with high human
contributing factors to the chloride content of the river; the volumetric flow rate of
the river could sustain the amount of chloride being discharge to it. And since

chlorides exist as ions, they must be continuously flowed through the river stream,
thus, maintaining a low amount of chloride at a particular point at a particular time.
Another reason for obtaining a low amount of chloride maybe accounted for
by interferences during the experiment. Since the chemicals present in the sample
are not yet identified, there is no knowing the possible interfering ions present in
the sample. There was no test conducted to eliminate the interfering ions and thus,
there is a high probability that interferences have occurred as evidenced by the
hard distinction of the end point of titration. Orthophosphates in excess of 25

mg
L

interferes in the titration by precipitating silver phosphate instead of silver chloride.

Iron content in excess of 10

mg
L

interferes by masking the endpoint. Bromide,

iodide and cyanide also react with silver nitrate.

Conclusion and Recommendation
Based on the results, the chloride content of the water sample is within the
bounds of safe water. This means that aquatic life is still sustained with respect to
the chloride content of the water. But since in actual observation of the river, there
are no organisms visibly present aside from organisms that can live in extreme
condition, the researchers conclude that the extinction of aquatic life in the area is
due to other substances present in the river.
The researchers recommend that tests that eliminate interfering ions should
be conducted first before performing the argentometric method of chloride
determination. This is to obtain a more reliable result. Interfering ions are found to
be problematic, especially the iron ion that masks the endpoint of titration. The
color change to pinkish yellow is really gradual so that it is hard to really determine
the actual endpoint without overtitrating to see if the endpoint was reached.