CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers

Laboratory Report

Experiment No. 6: Dissolved Oxygen Levels in Natural Waters

Molejona Jr., Randy E.|CM011 A2|randymolejona@yahoo.com

BS Civil Engineering|School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering

General Chemistry Laboratory|School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering and Sciences

Mapua University–Manila|658 Muralla St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABSTRACT

The basic principles in stoichiometry can be used in order to compute for the amount of dissolved
oxygen in the water sample. To fix the dissolved oxygen means to convert the oxygen into iodine. This is
important in the analysis of the dissolved oxygen in the water sample because this process “fixes” the
amount of oxygen present in the sample, and therefore can be set aside for several hours without the
dissolved oxygen concentration changing. The dissolved oxygen concentration of the sample was found
out to be 6.8 ppm (mg/L) in a 200-mL water sample. This was done by computing for the moles of Na2S2O3
and by computing for the mass of oxygen given the volume of the Na2S2O3 dispensed and its concentration,
converting the mass of oxygen to number of moles, then computing for the number of moles of
Na2S2O3with the solved moles of oxygen. In this given, the moles of Na2S2O3 is 0.00035 mol Na2S2O3. After
this, we can compute for the moles of I3-, which would be 0.000175 mol I3-. To conclude, we must make
sure that we immediately fix the water samples after collecting them or else this will result in a dissolved
oxygen concentration that is too low. We do this because to fix the dissolved oxygen means converting
the dissolved oxygen into a compound that cannot escape from the solution, and therefore can be used
as a good analysis of the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water sample. It was found out after the
experiment that the ppm of the 2 samples in average is equal to 4.665. Most of the fish or aquatic lives
usually live well at around ppm ranging 5 ppm and above. Thus, it can be concluded that the
experimenters test is good for the fish to live in that kind of sample.

Keywords: water, dissolved oxygen

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION runoff from agricultural lots and live-stock

feedlots. In addition, the release of warm or hot
The amount of dissolved oxygen in water
discharges from industrial cooling towers
is considered to be one of the most important
induces what is known as thermal pollution. Such
parameters in determining water quality, since it
discharges directly affect the level of dissolved
can indicate the presence of comtaminants.
oxygen in water bodies, which is crucial for the
Common processes that pollute surface waters
survival of aerobic organisms and aquatic fauna
include the discharge of organic matter derived
such as fish. In fact, excessive pollution has
from municipal sewage or industrial wastes, and
caused massive fish deaths. In the long run, the
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report

discharges of organics or of nutrients favor the the water and both of

accelerated eutrophication or productivity them was added 1mL to
process with algal blooms. As a con-sequence, the water, and 3 mL of
there will be a lowering of the dissolved oxygen Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) was
content (or DO level) and the “death” of also added after letting all
theaquatic system. The measurement of the DO the precipitates go to the
is also important to determine whether a water bottom. The Sulfuric Acid
system is predominantly aerobic or anaerobic, should be added again if
predict the survival of aquatic organisms, and there are still precipitates
predict whether aerobic biological processes can seen. The resulting color of the process is amber.
take place for transforming the biodegradable After that, a 200 mL of the mixed sample was
organic contaminants discharged in water. When used for the titration. The titrant used was
there is an organic discharge, the DO decreases Sodium Thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) which should make
rapidly due to the action of the aerobic the sample light yellow in color. Then starch was
microorganisms that consume oxygen during the added to the sample
metabolic degradation of organic matter. solution. The color
Consequently, the presence of dissolved oxygen became dark blue and
is critical for the self-cleansing of the water the titration process
system, and in combination with the presence of should be continued.
CO2, it is also critical for the determination of the Then finally it would
corrosive character of water on materials such as result into a clear
iron and other metals. colorless solution
sample.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

water flask beaker

MnSO4 KI bottle RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
H2SO4 funnel burette
Iron stand graduated Cylinder A. Sample Analysis

Sample 1 Sample 2
The chemicals Sample Volume 200 200
used were water from (mL)
the faucet but in a way Buret Reading, 0 0
which the current of initial (mL)
Buret Reading, 14 10
water that seen in the
final (mL)
faucet should have no
Volume 14 10
bubbles seen to avoid
Na2S2O3,
forming extra oxygen, dispensed (mL)
Manganese Sulfate Molar 0.025
(MnSO4) which was added to the water, Concentration
Potassium Iodide (KI) which was also added to
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report

32𝑔 1000𝑚𝑔
of Na2S2O3 Mg of O2 = 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 × 𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 1𝑔
(mol/L)
Moles of 3.5x10^-4 2.5x10^-4 32𝑔 1000𝑚𝑔
= 8.75 × 10−5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 × 𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 1𝑔
Na2S2O3,
dispensed (mol) = 1.36 mg O2
Moles of I3- 1.75x10^- 1.25x10^-4
reduced by 4
2-
S2O3 (mol) 𝑚𝑔 𝑂
2
Moles of O2 8.75x10^- 3.125x10^-5 PPM = 𝐿 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
(mol) 5 1.36 𝑚𝑔 𝑂2 𝒎𝒈
Mass of O2 (mg) 1.36 mg 0.5 mg O2 = 0.2 𝐿
= 𝟔. 𝟖 𝑳
O2
Dissolved 6.8 ppm 2.5 ppm
Oxygen, ppm O2 It was found out after the experiment
(mg/L)
that the ppm of the 2 samples in average is equal
Average 4.65 ppm
to 4.665. Most of the fish or aquatic lives usually
Dissolved
Oxygen, ppm O2 live well at around ppm ranging 5ppm and
Standard 3.04 above. Thus, it can be concluded that the
Deviation experimenters test is good for the fish to live in
Relative 65.39% that kind of sample.
Standard
Deviation Even if it is suitable for the fish to live,
(%RSD) the ppm would still drop to zero because they
would consume the dissolved oxygen molecules
so it is necessary to add a pump in a fish tank for
that kind of water sample. There are a lot of
Calculations used: chemical of chemical reactions involved in fixing
Moles of Na2S2O3 and analyzing a water sample for dissolved
oxygen.
𝑚𝑜𝑙 1𝐿
= 0.025 𝐿
𝑥 14 𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿
−𝟒
DISCUSSION
= 𝟑. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑺𝟐 𝑶𝟑
In fixing the sample, only an
1 approximate volume of MnSO4 is required for
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2
2
Moles of O2 = Mole of Na2S2O3 x 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 Na2S2O3 fixing the dissolved oxygen in the sample. This is
1
because MnSO4 is in excess, while the dissolved
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2
= 3.5 × 10−4 × 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
2
𝑁𝑎
oxygen is the limiting reactant, and so the exact
2 𝑆2 𝑂3
volume of MnSO4 is not critical. A precipitate
= 𝟖. 𝟕𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝑶𝟐 should then form after adding the source of
manganese ions. However, if no precipitate
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report
forms, assuming that the reagents were properly
prepared and dispensed into the sample, it can
be predicted that the amount of dissolved
oxygen concentration is extremely low. This is
because the precipitate is formed in the reaction
of oxygen atoms with manganese ions in forming
a manganous hydroxide complex. If no
precipitate was formed, it means that there was
little to no dissolved oxygen present in the
sample.
We should also take care that we test for
the dissolved oxygen using the exact
temperature of the water sample. This is
because the temperature of the water affects
the concentration of dissolved oxygen. If, for
example, we measured and recorded the air
temperature at a temperature of 27 oC when the
water temperature is only 21 oC, then the
dissolved oxygen will be lower than it should be.
This is because colder water can hold a greater
amount of oxygen.
After forming the precipitate in the
solution, we can proceed to preparing for
titration. In titrating the analyte, we must add
the S2O32- titrant until the color of the water
sample fades to a light yellow-brown color. The
amount of titrant is essential in determining the
amount of dissolved oxygen in the water sample.
If, for example, the analyte still did not fade into
the light yellowbrown color even after a full
burette of the S2O32- titrant, it means that it
needs more titrant in order to completely titrate
the sample. Therefore, it can be stated that the
dissolved oxygen concentration of the sample is
very high.
CONCLUSION
This experiment is all about dissolved
oxygen levels in natural waters. The objective for
this experiment is to develop a proper technique
for obtaining natural water sample, to determine
the dissolve oxygen concentration of a natural
water sample and to learn the chemical
reactions involved in fixing and analyzing a water
sample for dissolve oxygen using the Winkler
method. The Winkler method was developed by
Lajos Winkler where it is the standard
experimental procedure for determining the
dissolve oxygen concentration in water and for
the calibration of dissolve oxygen meters. To do
this experiment first we filled up a bottle with
500ml tap water up to the brim and it doesn’t
have any bubbles then we added 2 mL MnSO4
solution via pipette then we added 2 mL KI-NaN3
solution via pipette then we let the precipitate
settle at the bottom, then we added 3 mL H2SO4
to dissolve the precipitate and we also flipped
the botte several times, then we withdraw
200mL aliquot, then we titrated with NaS2O3
until it turns very light yellow, then we added
1mL starch solution which will turn the solution
to dark blue, then we titrated it again until it
turns colorless and finally we get the volume of
NaS2O3.
APPLICATIONS
Control in Mortality Rates of Fishes
Low levels of dissolved oxygen
concentration are the causes of fish kills. Should
a person ever ask about why a fish kill occurred
in a body of water such as a lake, we should tell
the person that the most likely reason is because
of the level of dissolved oxygen in it being too
low. He would be able to know this if he conducts
a test for dissolved oxygen using the water
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report
sample he brought from the lake using a
legitimate test such as the Winkler method. We
recommend utilizing this test since it is a proven
technique used to measure dissolved oxygen in
bodies of freshwater.
Fish kills can also occur due to other reasons.
Such can often be found near the discharge point
of water from cooling waters at electrical
generating power plants. This is because there
are rapid changes in temperature that occur near
that area, and these rapid changes associated
with power plants can kill fish by thermal shock.
Fish kills can also be found in streams following
heavy rainfall in watersheds dominated by
farmland or denuded forestland. This is because
of a condition known as water stratification.
Water stratification occurs when cold and stale
water accumulates at the bottom of a body of
water, unable to mix with the surface. This forms
a layer of water that contains no oxygen and
builds up naturally toxic compounds like
hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.
REFERENCES
Beran. J. A. (2014). Laboratory manual for
principles of general chemistry. Texas A&M
Chiya Numako and Izumi Nakai (1995). "XAFS
studies of some precipitation and coloration
reaction used in analytical chemistry".
Physica B: Condensed Matter. 208–209:
387–388. Bibcode:1995PhyB..208..387N.
doi:10.1016/0921-4526(94)00706-2.
A. H. de Carvalho, J. G. Calado and M. L. Moura,
Rev. Port. Quim., 1963, 5, 15
Lajos Winkler (1888). "Die Bestimmung des in
Wasser Gelösten Sauerstoffes". Berichte der
Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. 21 (2):
2843–2855.
doi:10.1002/cber.188802102122.
Whitney King, "Winkler titrations – measuring
dissolved oxygen", Colby at Sea, 11 February
2011, retrieved and archived 11 July 2012.
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report
LABORATORY QUESTIONS
1. The water chemist waits until returning to the
laboratory to fix the water sample for the
dissolved oxygen analysis. Will the reported
dissolved oxygen concentration be reported as
too high, too low, or remain unchanged? Explain.
The reported dissolved oxygen
concentration will remain unchanged because
time won’t have too much affection to the water
sample unless it is open and exposed.
2. A solution of MnSO4 is added to fix the dissolved
oxygen in the collected sample.
a. What is the meaning of the expression, “fix
the dissolved oxygen”, and why is it important
for the analysis of dissolved oxygen in a water
sample?
The meaning of the expression is that
there are no more reasons that could change
the dissolved oxygen concentration because
the oxygen would quickly react to the other
chemicals present in the water.
b. Only an approximate volume (~1 mL) of
MnSO4 is required for fixing the dissolved
oxygen in the sample. Explain why an exact
volume is not critical.
An exact volume is not critical because
MnSO4 was measured in a pipette and
needed to spread in the water sample.
3. No precipitate forms! Assuming the reagents
were properly prepared and dispensed into the
sample, what might be predicted about its
dissolved oxygen concentration? Explain.
The water sample has fewer oxygen
because there will be no precipitate that will
react in titration and the volume of the titrant
used more oxygen present.
4. A water chemist measured and recorded the air
temperature at 27°C when he should have
measured the water temperature, which was
only 21°C. Because of this error, will the
dissolved oxygen concentration be reported as
being higher or lower than it should be?
Explain.
The error would make the dissolved
oxygen concentration to be lower because the
higher temperature, the molecules would
move faster and the oxygen concentration
would be lower than it should be.
5. The color of the analyte did not fade to form the
light yellow-brown color but remained intense
even after the addition of a full burette of the
S2O32- titrant, even though a precipitate formed
in Part B.4. What can be state about the
dissolved oxygen concentration of the sample?
Explain.
More titrant should be needed to
balance the solution since there are too many
oxygen in the sample.
6. Assuming a dissolved oxygen concentration of
7.0 ppm (mg/L) in a 200-mL water sample.
(𝑥)𝑚𝑔 𝑂2 1000𝑚𝐿
× = 7.0𝑝𝑝𝑚
200𝑚𝐿 1𝐿
(𝑥)𝑚𝑔 𝑂2 = 1.4
1𝑔
(𝑥)𝑔 𝑂2 = 1.4𝑚𝑔 𝑂2 ×
1000𝑚𝑔
(𝑥)𝑔 𝑂2 = 1.4 × 10−3
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2 = 1.4 ∗ 10−3 𝑔 𝑂2 ×
32𝑔 𝑂2
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2 = 4.375 × 10−5
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report

a. How many moles of Mn(OH)3 will be (𝑥)𝐿 𝑆2 𝑂3 2− = 7 × 10−3

produced with the addition of the MnSO4
solution? (𝑥)𝑚𝐿 𝑆2 𝑂3 2− = 7 × 10−3 𝐿 𝑆2 𝑂3 2−
1000𝑚𝐿
×
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3 1𝐿
= 4.375 × 10−5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 𝑆2 𝑂3 2− = 𝟕mL
4𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3
×
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 7. A nonscientist brings a water sample to
𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒏(𝑶𝑯)𝟑 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 your laboratory and asks you to
determine why there was a fish kill in the
b. How many moles I3- will be produced nearby lake. Having recently finished this
when the KI-NaN3 solution is added to the experiment, what might you tell that
above solution? person about the legitimacy of a test for
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐼 3− = 1.75 dissolved oxygen? What reasoning
would you use to maintain the integrity
× 10−4 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3
of your laboratory?
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐼 3−
×
2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3 Because the water sample in the
lake had less dissolved oxygen, the fish
𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑰𝟑− = 𝟖. 𝟕𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 would die because of suffocation and
c. How many moles of S2O32- will be needed there could also be a chance that the
to react with the I3- that is generated? dissolved oxygen reacted to the other
elements from the environment.
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆2 𝑂3 2−
= 8.75 × 10−5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐼 3− 8. A.) Fish kills are often found near the
2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑆2 𝑂3 2− discharge point of water from cooling
× waters at electrical generating power
3𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐼 3−
plants. Explain why this occurrence may
𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝟐 𝑶𝟑 𝟐− = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 occur. B.) Fish kills are often found in
streams following heavy rainfall in a
d. Assuming the concentration of the S2O32-
watershed dominated by farmland or
titrant to be 0.025 M, how many milliliters
denuded forestland. Explain why this
of titrant will be predictably used for the
occurrence may occur.
analysis?
Having strong levels of current
4.375 × 10−5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 means that also having stronger levels of
= (𝑥)𝐿 𝑆2 𝑂3 2−
0.025𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑆2 𝑂3 2−
pressure and the pressure increases, the
× oxygen can be actually toxic because
1𝐿 𝑆2 𝑂3 2−
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐼3− extreme dosage of oxygen can be
×
2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑆2 𝑂3 2− poisonous.
2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3
×
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐼3−
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
×
4𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)3
 CM011L: Chemistry for Engineers
Laboratory Report

9. Explain how the dissolved oxygen

concentrations may change starting at
the headwaters of a river and ending at
the ocean. Account for the changes.
Dissolve oxygen concentrations
are not stable or it always changes in the
headwater of a river and ending at the
ocean.

10. Saltwater generally has a lower

dissolved oxygen concentration than
freshwater at a given temperature.
Explain why this is generally observed.
Because of the high content of
salt which is at least 3%, the water has
lower dissolved oxygen concentrations.
This makes a classification of freshwater
fish and saltwater fish.