CHEA 1201 L

PRE-LABORATORY
Total Hardness of Water Using Ethylene DiammineTetraacetic Acid (EDTA)
(A Titration Method)

1. Define water hardness. What methods can be used to remove water hardness?
Water hardness is the total calcium and magnesium ion concentration of a water solution. This is also
expressed as the concentration of calcium carbonate. Water hardness depends upon the amount of
chemical salts dissolved in the water. These salts, in the presence of heat or alkalinity, may react to
produce insoluble material which precipitates out of solution in the form of hard water scale. The
methods you can utilize in order to remove water hardness are ion exchange, chelation, lim softening,
and reverse osmosis.

2. In industrial settings, why is water hardness an important parameter for analyses?

Many industrial and domestic water users are concerned about the hardness of their water. When hard
water is heated, such as in a home water heater, solid deposits of calcium carbonate can form. This scale
can reduce the life of equipment, raise the costs of heating the water, lower the efficiency of electric
water heaters, and clog pipes.

3. Write the equation for the titration of Ca+2 with EDTA.

Zn2+ (aq) + EDTA4- (aq) → Ca(EDTA)2- (aq)
4. Write the equations for the endpoint color change of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) with Mg+2
EDTA4− + Mg2+ → [Mg-EDTA]2−

5. Report the water hardness as ppm CaCO3 of a 50 ml water sample that required 32. 50 ml of 0.01 M
EDTA to reach the end point of the titration

−3 0.01 mol EDTA

Moles of EDTA=32.50 x 10❑ Lx
L
−4
¿ 3.25 x 10❑

3.25 x 10−4 mol 100.0869 g

mass of CaCo 3=1 L x x
L mol
−2❑
¿ 3.25 x 10❑ g

3.25 x 10❑−2
= = 65 ppm
0.05

6. Answer briefly the following questions.

 a. Why do we add a small amount of Mg 2+ to the solution in the preparation of the EDTA?
Adding a small amount of Mg 2+– EDTA to the titrant gives a sharper end point. Because Ca 2+ forms a
stronger complex with EDTA, it displaces Mg 2+, which then forms the red-colored Mg 2+– calmagite
complex.

b. What is the role of the ammonia buffer in the EDTA titration process.
The ammonia buffer is used to resist the change in pH. All of the reactions between metal ions and EDTA
are dependent on pH. Change in pH leads to an improper reaction between the metal ion and the EDTA.

c. Why do we see color transitions at the equivalence point?

We see color transitions at equivalence point because this indicates that the H + and OH- are in equal
concentrations. This also means that the endpoint is also going to take place, where the substance goes
from acidic to basic or vice versa.

7. Complete the table below with the necessary information from Amrita. Then calculate corresponding
water hardness. Make sure to show all necessary sample solutions below. Which water sample has the
highest level of water hardness

Water Hardness

Volume
of Volume EDTA
Sample Buret Reading, mL EDTA
sample, used, mL
mL

Final Initial

Well water

Trial 1 15.0 mL 46.2 mL 50.0 mL 3.8 mL

Trial 2 15.0 mL 46.2 mL 50.0 mL 3.8 mL

Average, mg/L CaCO3 25 mg/L

Tap water

Trial 1 15.0 mL 47.7 mL 50.0 mL 2.3 mL

 Trial 2 15.0 mL 47.7 mL 50.0 mL 2.3 mL

Average, mg/L CaCO3 12 mg/L

Sea water

Trial 1 15.0 mL 41.0 mL 50.0 mL 9.0 mL

Trial 2 15.0 mL 41.0 mL 50.0 mL 9.0 mL

Average, mg/L CaCO3 60 ppm

a.) Well Water

−3 0.01 mol EDTA

Moles of EDTA=3.8 x 10❑ Lx
L
−5
¿ 3.8 x 10❑

3.8 x 10−5 mol 100.0869 g

mass of CaCo 3=1 L x x
L mol
−3❑
¿ 3.80 x 10❑ g
−3❑
3.80 x 10❑
= = 25 ppm
0.015

b.) Tap Water

−3 0.01 mol EDTA

Moles of EDTA=2.3 x 10❑ Lx
L
−5
¿ 2.3 x 10❑

2.3 x 10−5 mol 100.0869 g

mass of CaCo 3=1 L x x
L mol
−3❑
¿ 2.30 x 10❑ g

2.30 x 10❑−3❑
= = 15 ppm
0.015
c.) Sea Water

0.01 mol EDTA

Moles of EDTA=9.0 x 10❑−3 Lx
L
¿ 9.0 x 10 ❑−5

0.90 x 10−4 mol 100.0869 g

mass of CaCo 3=1 L x x
L mol
−3❑
¿ 9.0 x 10 ❑ g
 9.0 x 10❑−3❑
= = 60 ppm
0.015

The water sample that has the highest level of water hardness is seawater.