NITROGEN

Objectives

1. Determine the concentration of nitrates in river water.

Theoretical background

Nitrates are essential plant nutrients but if in excess, they can cause a significant water quality
problem. The presence of nitrates and phosphorous in water lead to accelerated eutrophication.
In excess thy can lead to dramatic growth of the aquatic plants leading to a change in the types
of plants and animals the liv e in the stream.

To determine the amount of nitrates present in water a Direct measurement of Ultraviolet light
absorption is dine. This is done because of the ability of nitrates to absorb the UV light with a
wavelength of between 205 nm and 300 nm but the mostly used wavelength is 220 nm. This
method provides a detection limit of 0.04 mgNO 3/dm3 in concentration but a range of 0.08-4.0
mgNO3/dm. this method offers A reliable, accurate and rapid method of nitrate determination.

Apparatus

1. Balance, analytical
2. Glassware: Class A volumetric flasks and pipettes or plastic containers as required.
Samples may be stored in plastic or glass.
3. Spectrophotometer.
4. Spectrophotometer cells (Cuvettes)

Reagents and standards

1. N stock Solution- 1Ml=0.1Mg/No3, 0.722g Pottassium Nitrate in 1000Ml of distilled

water (store in a fridge).
2. Intermediate nitrate solution (0.010 mg N/mL),
Dilute 25.0 mL nitrate stock solution to 250 mL, 1.00 mL = 0.0100 Mg Nitrate This
solution is stable for six months.
3. 1+15 HCL, and 1+500HCL.

Using The Solution in 1 the standards were prepared.

Preparation of nitrate calibration standards.
Volume of Final
Standard Concentration (mg
Prepare using standard Volume Use
solution NO3 -N/L)
solution (mL) (mL)
Lab Brank Deionized water 0.00 50.0 0.00 Calibration blank
TN-1 1.0 50.0 0.20 Calibration standard
TN-2 2.0 50.0 0.40 Calibration standard
TN-3 Intermediate nitrate 5.0 50.0 1.00 Calibration standard
standard solution
TN-4 10.0 50.0 2.00 Calibration standard
(0.010 mg N/mL
TN-5 nitrate) 15.0 50.0 3.0 Calibration standard
TN-6 20.0 50.0 5.0 Calibration standard
Procedure

A 5ml sample was taken and topped up to 50 ml with aerated water. of the topped-up sample.
5ml of 1+15 HCL was to the samples. The samples were lest o stand for 15 minutes. 2 ml of the
sample was taken then topped up to 10 ml. The absorbance was taken at 220 nm and the value
was noted.

Data analysis

absorbe
concentratio d
n UV
0 0
0.2 0.077
0.4 0.112
2 0.442
4 0.906
6 1.266

NITRATES
1.4

1.2

1
ABSORBED

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CONCENTRATION

For the sample used. A concentration value of 4.679 mg/l and absorbed 1.012 of the UV light
exposed.

10/2=5

50/5=10
Nitrate concentration in the water= 4.479 X 50

= 233.95mg/l of the river water.

Discussion

The water samples were taken and then topped-up so that the amount of nitrates could read
from the standard graph. The concentration determined was multiplied by the factor of the
volume so as to get the amount of nitrates that dissolved in one litre of the river water.

Conclusion

The concentration of nitrates in the river water was found to be 233.95mg/l of the river water.

References

1. Lab manual
2. International journal of analytical chemistry
3. APHA standard methods of examination of waste water 18 th edition, American public
health association