MAPUA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEOLOGICAL

ENGINEERING

SANITARY CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

NAME: TAMAYO, MIKKO ANGELO S. .

COURSE & SECTION: ESE142P-2_C2 STUDENT NO.: 2021104530
SEAT NO.: GROUP NO.: 2 2

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
TURBIDITY
TITLE

DATE PERFORMED: 11/12/22 .

DATE SUBMITTED: 11/15/22 .
GRADE

Laurita Mendoza
INSTRUCTOR
 EXPERIMENT # 2:

TURBIDITY

INTRODUCTION:

Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are

generally invisible to the naked eye, like smoke in the air. The measurement of turbidity is a crucial test of water

quality. Fluids may contain suspended solids made up of various-sized particles. Suppose a liquid sample is left

to stand. In that case, some suspended material will be significant and heavy enough to settle quickly to the bottom

of the container (the settable solids). Still, if the model is frequently stirred or the particles are colloidal,

microscopic particles will settle only very slowly or not at all. The liquid seems turbid due to these tiny solid

particles. Glass and plastic are transparent solids with turbidity (or haze). Haze is the percentage of light deflected

more than 2.5 degrees from the direction of incoming light in plastic manufacturing.

Water could be turbid or scatter light depending on several factors. Particles suspended or dissolved in

water that scatter light and make the water look foggy or murky are the source of turbidity. Examples of particulate

matter include sediment, mainly clay, and silt, fine organic and inorganic materials, soluble colored organic

compounds, algae, and other microscopic organisms. In addition to causing lakes to fill up more quickly, high

particulate matter concentrations impact light penetration, productivity, recreational value, and habitat quality.

Increased siltation and sedimentation in streams can affect fish and other aquatic life habitats. Additional

contaminants, including metals and microorganisms, can cling to particles. Readings of turbidity can therefore be

used to detect possible water pollution.

There are various practical ways of checking the water quality, the most direct being some measure of

attenuation (that is, reduction in strength) of light as it passes through a sample column of water. The alternatively

used Jackson Candle method (units: Jackson Turbidity Unit or JTU) is essentially the inverse measure of the

length of a column of water needed to completely obscure a candle flame viewed through it. The more water

needed (the longer the water column), the clearer the water. Of course, water alone produces some attenuation,

and any substances dissolved in the water that have color can attenuate the wavelengths. Modern instruments do
not use candles, but this approach of attenuation of a light beam through a column of water should be calibrated

and reported in JTUs. (“17.docx - ater bodies such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs,”) The Formazin Turbidity Unit

(FTU) is the most widely used measurement for determining the turbidity of water. On the other hand, ISO refers

to Formazin Nephelometric Unit (FNU). The units of turbidity from a calibrated nephelometer are called

nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), which measures how much light reflects for a given among of particles and

is dependent upon properties of the particles such as their shape, color, and reflectivity. These properties of the

particles are factors affecting the scattering light beam when focused on them and are considered a more

meaningful measure of turbidity in water. For this reason (and the reason that heavier particles settle quickly and

do not contribute to a turbidity reading), a correlation between turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) is

somewhat unique for each location or situation.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the experiment, the student should be able to:

• Know the causes of turbidity in water

• Describe the principle in determining the turbidity of a water or wastewater sample.

• Determining the turbidity of a given water sample

DISCUSSION:

Equipment:

• Calibrated Nephelometer

• 3pc Vials

• Tap Water Sample

• Construction Site Wastewater sample

• Pasig River Water Sample

Procedure:

1. Switch the instrument on and prepare the vials containing the calibration samples and

reagents.

Fig 1. Setting up of the device with our co-facilitator

2. The Nephelometer must be first calibrated using four vials CAL1, CAL2, CAL3, and

CAL4 containing 800NTU, 100NTU, 20NTU, and 0.02NTU, respectively.

Fig1. Nephelometer with vials

3. Upon inserting the vials, wipe them with distilled water and apply silicone oil to prevent

micro scratches in the vials.

Fig 2. I & my groupmates and putting silicone oil in glass vials

4. Reagents are tap water, construction site wastewater, and Pasig River samples.

Fig 3. Tap Water, Pasig River Water. & Construction Wastewater

5. Put the samples in each glass vial.

Fig 4. Transferring samples in glass vials in determining turbidity

6. Insert one glass vial in the nephelometer and close the lid; perform three trials.

Fig 5. Me inserting a glass vial into the Nephelometer

7. Get the reading and repeat the procedures for the other two samples.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Where do you find the adverse effects of turbidity in environmental engineering? Mention two instances.

Turbidity can affect the marine ecosystem, especially aquatic animals. High turbidity can limit the

sun exposure of some aquatic animals, especially those located at the bottom of the lake or river, confining

their capability to undergo photosynthesis, which can indirectly affect the food chain. Turbidity measurements

are helpful in determining the optimum dosage of coagulants to treat domestic and Industrial wastes. Turbidity

determination is used to evaluate the performance of waste treatment plants.

2. Discuss the significance of the determination of turbidity in Sanitary Engineering.

In the realm of water supply and resources, turbidity is crucial. Turbidity measurements are used to

establish whether a supply needs additional chemical coagulation and filtration before it can be used for a

commercial, public water supply and for the treatment of municipal household and industrial wastes.

Additionally, turbidity measurements are utilized to establish the doses required and the efficacy of the

treatment generated using chemicals. Turbidity determination is used to evaluate the effectiveness of

wastewater treatment facilities. Readings for turbidity can also be used to determine how much chemical is

required daily for water treatment.

3. Discuss the nature of materials causing turbidity

a.) Seawater

Water clarity is impacted by salinity. This is because salt affects how quickly suspended particles
aggregate and settle. To put it another way, salt ions gather and bind suspended particles, making them
heavier and more likely to sink to the bottom. This mechanism explains why lakes and rivers tend to have
lower average turbidity than oceans and estuaries. As sediments are drawn from the water column to the
seafloor, sedimentation rates in these marine habitats are also higher.

b.) Polluted River Water

An increase in turbidity can also indicate increased erosion of stream banks, which may have a
long-term effect on a body of water 3. Erosion reduces habitat quality for fish and other organisms.
 c.) Domestic or tap water

It depends on what the source of the water is. There are some that comes from water treatment
facilities, and some can just be installed personally, with the well or other groundwater source.
Material that causes water to be turbid include clay, silt, finely divided inorganic and organic matter
and other microscopic organisms.
d.) Well (groundwater)

Groundwater turbidity is primarily inorganic and brought on by natural geological processes. Turbidity
tends to be higher in wells. Microorganisms and organic materials are frequently found. As water
percolates through rock and soil and enters your groundwater source, these particles are acquired. In turbid
water, microorganisms bind to the suspended particles, making it difficult to thoroughly disinfect the water
and raising the possibility of digestive problems. Sediments like silt and clay, fine organic and inorganic
materials, soluble colored organic compounds, algae, and other microscopic species can all be considered
part of the category of "suspended particles.”

4. What is the standard unit of turbidity?

The Formazin Turbidity Unit (FTU) is the most popular unit of turbidity measurement. The units
used by ISO are called FNU (Formazin Nephelometric Units). The method for determining turbidity in
water quality is provided by ISO 7027. By measuring the incident light scattered at right angles from the
sample, it is possible to calculate the concentration of suspended particles in a sample of water. A
photodiode collects the scattered light, creating an electronic signal that is then translated into a turbidity
reading.
5. What are NTU and JTU?

Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and Jackson Turbidity Units (JTU) are the units used to
measure turbidity. The Jackson Candle Turbidimeter (JTU) was the first turbidity unit to be based on
candlelight visibility in tube 43. However, compared to more recent techniques, this approach is seen
as outdated and imprecise. (JTU cannot measure over 25 JTU/NTU) 43. NTU is more accurate and
has a larger range. NTU is also used as the reference unit for several broadband outputs.
DATA SHEET
EXPERIMENT # 2:
TURBIDITY
Course/Section: ESE142P-2_C2 Date Performed: 11/12/22
Name: Mikko Angelo S. Tamayo
Record the turbidity of samples using the nephelometer
Data:
Turbidity Reading (NTU) Turbidity
Source of Sample 1 2 3 Average
Reading

Tap Water 1.93 NTU 1.94 NTU 1.92 NTU 1.93 NTU

Pasig River Water 63.3 NTU 65.1 NTU 65.6 NTU 64.67 NTU

Construction Site 520 NTU 547 NTU 536 NTU 534.33 NTU
Wastewater

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:
Trials 1, 2, and 3 for Sample 1 (Tap water):

In getting the average of the three samples,

 1.92 + 1.93 + 1.94
= 1.93
3
Trials 1, 2, and 3 for Sample 2 (Pasig River Water):

In getting the average of the three samples,

63.3 + 65.1 + 65.6
= 64.67
3
Trials 1, 2, and 3 for Sample 3 (Construction Site wastewater):

In getting the average of the three samples,

520 + 547 + 536
= 534.33
3
DATA ANALYSIS & DATA INTERPRETATION:
The table shown above, the data indicates that tap water has the least turbidity. It also shows a more
transparent appearance than the other two samples. On the other hand, If the reading is under 100 NTU, the
contaminants are coarse particles. The construction site wastewater, in this instance, contains large particles that
block light from passing. The Pasig River water and construction site wastewater samples do not meet the drinking
water standard of less than 5 NTU. According to the statistics above, the tap water sample has the lowest turbidity,
followed by the Pasig River sample, with a difference of almost 63 NTU. The principle states that the darker the
liquid appears, the more that it attracts light. Construction wastewater is due to its brownish or blackish
appearance; it has maximum turbidity. Thus, this shows that a liquid substance's turbidity has a direct relationship
with its ability to reflect light and its impurity: the more turbid the meaning, the more contaminated and closer to
being black in appearance.

CONCLUSION:
Upon experimenting, I realized that turbidity is an essential measurement of water quality because it is
the most visible indicator of how “clean” a water source is. High turbidity levels can indicate the presence of
water pollutants and contaminants that have an adverse effect on human, animal, and plant life, including bacteria,
protozoa, nutrients, pesticides, mercury, lead, and other metals. Increased turbidity in surface water makes the
water unpalatable for human use aesthetically and can also provide surfaces in the water for disease-causing
microorganisms to grow to harbor water-borne pathogens such as cryptosporidiosis, cholera etc. High amounts
of suspended solids can also become a problem to other species living in the water if particles become lodged
into the gills of oxygen-breathing animals in the water. Suspended particles can also disrupt light cycles and
photosynthesis, altering the concentration of oxygen in the water and disturbing the aquatic system’s food web.
Turbidity and total solids both increase at times when algal growth is high or when sediment is lifted into the
water during a storm.
Turbidity is a characteristic of liquid samples, which is an extrusive property. Through the experiment,
we were able to know the causes of turbidity, describe the principle of determining the turbidity of a water or
wastewater sample, and determine the turbidity of the given water sample. The samples used are tap water, Pasig
River water, and construction site wastewater. From the data obtained, the wastewater sample had the highest
turbidity level, followed by tap water, and then mineral water which had zero turbidity level. Highly turbid can
mean highly polluted, whereas zero turbid means the water is potable. In determining the turbidity level, we used
the NTU as a unit of measurement. Obtaining the data on turbidity in environmental engineering will help us
customize the treatment the water needs. I would recommend wiping the bottle clearly to remove the particulates
on its outside surface. Moreover, NTU must be the unit that is used to obtain precise results. The importance of
knowing the turbidity level can be applied in water treatments.
REFERENCE:
https://www.liquisearch.com/turbidity/measurement