FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

IRON (Fe) & MANGANESE (Mn)

Iron & Manganese at low concentrations are highly

INTRODUCTION
objectionable in water supplies for domestic or industrial use.
Traces of iron and manganese can cause staining of
bathroom fixtures, can impart brownish colour to laundered
clothing and can affect the taste of water. Ground waters
devoid of dissolved oxygen can contain appreciable amounts
of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and manganese (Mn2+), which are
soluble (invisible) forms. When exposed to oxidation, they are
transformed to the stable insoluble ions of ferric iron (Fe 3+)
and manganic manganese (Mn3+), giving water a rust colour.

1. To determine the concentration of Iron (Fe) in the

OBJECTIVES
water sample.
2. To determine the concentration of Manganese (Mn) in
the water sample.
3. To compare the results obtained from the experiments
with the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia.

1. Spectrophotometer
APPARATUS
2. Beaker
3. Sample cell
4. Stopper
5. Pipette
6. FerroVer @ Iron Reagent AccuVac® Ampul
7. Buffer Powder Pillor, Citrate Type
8. Sodium Periodate Powder Pillow

IRON – USEPA POWDER PILLOW – METHOD 8008

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

PROCEDURE
1. Two sample cell was prepared
2. One sample cell was filled with 10 mL of water sample.
3. One content of FerroVer Iron Reagent Powder Pillow
was filled in the sample cell.
4. The sample cell the swirled to mix the solution
5. The solution was leave for three minutes. (an orange
colour appeared)
6. Another sample cell was filled with 10 mL of water
sample (blank sample).
7. Program was started with 265 Iron FerroVer. (select by
number)
8. Wiped the blank sample cell and inserted sample into
the cell holder and select “ZERO”.
9. Wiped the other sample cell and inserted sample into
the cell holder.
10. Selected “READ”.

MANGANESE – USEPA POWDER PILLOW – METHOD

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FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

8034

1. Two sample cell was prepared

2. One sample cell was filled with 10 mL of water sample.
3. One content of Buffer Powder Pillow, Citrate Type was
filled in the sample cell.
4. Stopper was placed on top of the sample cell and
inverted several times until fully dissolved.
5. One content of Sodium Periodate Powder Pillow was
filled in the sample cell.
6. Stopper was placed on top of the sample cell and
inverted several times until fully dissolved.
7. The solution was leave for two minutes. (a violet colour
appeared)
8. Another sample cell was filled with 10 mL of water
sample (blank sample).
9. Program was started with 295 Manganese. (select by
number)
10. Wiped the blank sample cell and inserted sample into
the cell holder and select “ZERO”.
11. Wiped the other sample cell and inserted sample into
the cell holder.
12. Selected “READ”.

DATA :
RESULTS &

WATER AND WATERWASTE ENGINEERING (ECW351)

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

ANALYSIS Concentration of Iron, Fe

(mg/L)
Sample 10.00

Concentration of Manganese, Mn
(mg/L)
Sample 2.40

The sample used in this experiment was taken from “Sungai

Juru”. “Sungai Juru” was chosen to identify the quality of the
water as it’s located at massive industrial activities. The
expected results for concentration of Iron, Fe are 10.00
mg/L while concentration of Manganese, Mn are 2.5 mg/L.
Based on the result we got, our result are accurate but not
too precise as the value of concentration of Manganese, Mn
was a little bit less from the expected results. The expected
results clearly show that the water sample from “Sungai Juru”
was classified in group V which is much polluted and not safe
for us as a human and other living to consume.

1. The result for concentration of Manganese, Mn was

DISCUSSION
not too precise as the expected result was 2.50 mg/L.
This may be occur because the concentration of the
sample in the flask may have deducted because
exposed to the air in the laboratory for a long time.
This error also can happened by human error. The
volume of the sample may not precisely 10 mL during
taking the sample by using pipette. There also
probability that we does not wait until the time for the
solution to completely dissolve before checking the
concentration by using spectrophotometer. This
problem can be avoid by starting the stop watch on
time and check the concentration with the right time
without rush or delay. Last but not least the sample

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FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

cell use to put the water sample may have little bit
distilled water or remaining sample from Iron test
which is not completely discharge from it. We can
avoid this error by make sure the sample cell are
completely clean from any solution and dry it first
before using it.

2. Based on the results we get from the experiment, the

sample used was classified in group V which is very
polluted and harmful for human and others to
consume it especially as daily routine. This group
need an intense water treatment if we want to use this
sources of water for any type of uses. Higher
concentration of Iron, Fe and Manganese, Mn can
lead to poisoning and also can be a troublesome
chemical in water supplies.

3. Iron is an essential element in human nutrition. The

minimum daily requirement of iron is ranged from
about 0.1 mg/L. In addition, EPA recommends
secondary standards to water systems at 0.3 mg/L but
does not require systems to comply. While
recommendation limit for Manganese are 0.05 mg/L.
According to the EPA health effects are not a concern
until concentrations are approximately 10 times higher

4. Iron and manganese in water also promote the growth

of bacteria. These organisms obtain energy for growth
from the chemical reaction that occurs when the iron
and manganese mix with dissolved oxygen. These
bacteria form thick slime growths on the walls of the
piping system on the well screens. Variation in flow
can cause these slime growths to separate from pipe

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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

walls, resulting in dirty water in the system.

5. The concentration of the pollutants in the water

caused by Iron and Manganese can be reduce by
employ the process of oxidation and filtration. The
oxidant chemically oxidizes the Iron and Manganese
(forming a particle) and kills the iron bacteria and any
other disease-causing. The filtration then removes the
iron or manganese particles. Ferrous iron (Fe 2+) is
oxidized to Ferric iron (Fe 3+), which readily forms the
insoluble iron hydroxide complex Fe(OH) 3. Reduces
Manganese (Mn2+) is oxidized to (Mn4+) which forms
insoluble (MnO).

As the conclusion, the concentration of Iron, Fe is 10.00

CONCLUSION
mg/L while the concentration of Manganese, Mn is 2.40
mg/L. both of the parameter results shows that the water
sample taken from “Sungai Juru” was classifies in class V
based on the Department of Environment (DOE) which is
really polluted and not safe for human and other living to
consume, plus its need intense water treatment for us to
consume and use the water.

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