DETERMINATION OF NITRATE IN RAW AND PORTABLE WATERS PRINCIPLE

ABSTRACT

Since elevated nitrate levels can be harmful to human health and contribute to environmental
degradation, measuring nitrate in raw and portable waters is essential for keeping an eye on the
quality of the water. This work used a spectrometric approach based on the diazotization
principle in conjunction with colorimetric detection to evaluate the nitrate amounts in raw and
portable waters. Samples were gathered from different sources and their nitrate concentration
was examined. The results showed different amounts of nitrate, emphasizing the need for routine
monitoring and management techniques to reduce any possible risks to human health and the
environment associated with nitrate contamination in water.

INTRODUCTION

Although nitrates are essential nutrients for plants, excessive nitrate levels can have detrimental
effects on the quality of water. Overabundance of nitrate can hasten the eutrophication process,
which encourages excessive plant growth and changes in the types of plants and animals that
inhabit the stream. Thus, in order to prevent harm to aquatic ecosystems, testing and monitoring
the water environment is crucial for maintaining water quality (Scottish Government, 2015). In
addition, the extensive use of fertilizers and the huge burning of fossil fuels have severely
increased the atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen, primarily in the form of NO3-.
Consequently, there is an increase in the concentration of nitrates in surface and groundwater,
leading to environmental problems that are the cause of the degradation of water quality
(Camargo, Alonso & Salamanca, 2005).

Analyzing the nitrate level of water samples collected along the Mudi river at various
places .Overview Seventy-eight percent of the Earth's atmosphere is made up of the essential
element nitrogen. One of the primary components required for the survival of living things is
nitrogen. However, because nitrogen must be changed into another chemical form in order to be
made available to plants and animals, it is unavailable to other species in this form. The element
that naturally exists in the nitrogen cycle of the Earth is nitrate (NO3-). The oxidation of
ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2-) and subsequently to nitrate in the nitrification process is one of
the processes that makes up the global nitrogen cycle. Prokaryotes known as nitrite-oxidizing
bacteria are responsible for converting nitrite to nitrate. oxidation of nitrite

MATERIALS

Sodium salicylate

Sodium hydroxide

Distilled water

Standard nitrate solution

Tap water

Portable water sample

Volumetric Pipette

100ml volumetric flask

Burrent

Beakers

Analytical balance

UV Spectrophotometer

PROCEDURES: PREPARATION OF REAGENTS

A.1. Preparation of 0.5%w/v Sodium Salicylate solution

0.5 grams of sodium salicylate was measured using an analytical balance, placed in a beaker, and
dissolved in distilled water by stirring. The resulting solution was carefully transferred into a
100ml volumetric flask, topped up with distilled water to the mark, covered with a stopper,
inverted to ensure thorough mixing, and labeled accordingly.
A.2. Preparation of 25%w/v of Sodium Hydroxide solution

A 25g quantity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pellets was weighed using an analytical balance,
dissolved in 70ml of distilled water in a beaker, and allowed to cool. The cooled NaOH solution
was accurately transferred into a 100ml volumetric flask, topped up with distilled water to reach
the mark, covered with a stopper, inverted for uniform dilution, and then labeled appropriately

A.3. To prepare standard nitrate (stock) solution from potassium nitrate

The mass of 0.815g of nitrate was observed as follow:

Mass of nitrate = molar mass of potassium nitrate / molar mass of nitrate

= 101.103g / 62.004g

= 1.63058g.

Dilute the 1.63058g in 1L and the concentration is 1000mg/L.

Required mass = 1.63058g / 2

= 0.815g. and

Concentration = (1000mg/L) /2

= 500gm/L.

Hence, the measured mass was dissolved in around 100ml of distilled water, carefully transferred
into a 500ml volumetric flask, and diluted to the mark with additional distilled water. The flask
was then sealed with a stopper, gently inverted to ensure thorough mixing, and appropriately
labeled.

A.4. To Prepare standard nitrate (working solution A)

A 10ml volume of standard nitrate solution was pipetted into 100ml volumetric flask, then
diluted with distilled water to the mark. The content was thoroughly mixed and flask was
labelled

A.5. Preparation of standard nitrate (working solution B)

A 10ml portion of standard nitrate from working solution A was transferred using a pipette into a
100ml volumetric flask, followed by dilution with distilled water up to the mark. The contents of
the flask were thoroughly mixed and labeled accordingly.

PROCEDURE B: PREPARATION OF SERIES OF THE SOLUTION

AIM: To determine nitrate concentration

Working solution B containing standard nitrates was dispensed into four sets of solutions with
varying volumes (1ml, 2ml, 5ml, and 10ml). Additionally, 5ml of the sample was pipetted into a
100ml Pyrex beaker. Using a pipette, 2ml of sodium salicylate from solution A was added to
each beaker, mixed, and then evaporated to dryness on a water bath. Once evaporated, the
beakers were removed from the water bath and 1.0ml of concentrated sulfuric acid was added to
each, mixed, and left to stand for 10 minutes. Subsequently, each solution was diluted with 50ml
of distilled water. Following this, 10ml of the sodium hydroxide solution from solution A was
added to each solution and thoroughly mixed. After cooling, the solutions were quantitatively
transferred to 100ml volumetric flasks and diluted to the mark.

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

In standard Nitrate (working solution B), 1 ml = 5 μg which represents the concentration

of 5 mg/L. After dilution, both the sample and nitrate standards (NO 3 -) reached a final
volume of 100mL.
The concentration was found using the dilution law, given by
C1V1 = C2V2.
C2 = CV1 /V2

For 1.00 mL standard NO3 - , C 2= 5mg/L X 1mL/100mL

C2 = 0.05 mg/L

For 2.00 mL standard NO3 - , C2 = 5mL X 2mL/100mL

C2 = 0.10mg/L
 For 5.00 mL standard NO3 - , C2 = 5mL X 5mL/100mL
C2 = 0.25 mg/L

For 10.00 mL standard NO3 - , C2 = 5mL X 10mL

C2 = 0.50 mg/L
CONCENTRATION ABSOBANCE

Mg/L
0.05 0.022

0.1 O.033

0.25 0.051

0.5 0.066

SAMPLE 0.164

Graph of Absorbance against Concentration (mg/L )

0.07
f(x) = 0.0934693877551021 x + 0.021969387755102
0.06 R² = 0.943760573012274

0.05
Absorbance

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.01

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Concentration (mg/L)

The concentration of nitrate in water sample was found by using the linear equation from the
standard curve.

Y = 0.0935x + 0.022
When Y = 0.164

0.164 = 0.0935x + 0.022

0.0935x = 0.164 - 0.022

X = 0.142/0.0935

= 1.52

DISCUSSION

The goal of this experiment was to determine how much nitrate and nitrate were present in the
water sample. Water sample collected at four distinct sampling locations in Mudi river. At each
location, water samples were taken, and the samples were taken to a lab for nitrite
concentration measurements. The tool used in laboratories to measure nitrite concentrations is
called a spectrophotometer. At every sampling point, the average reading of sample was noted

When nitrogen is connected to three oxygen atoms in nitrate, it is bonded to two oxygen atoms
in nitrite. The environment naturally contains nitrate (NO3). With the exception of reducing
environments, nitrite (NO2) is less common in most water supplies because nitrate is more stable
in an oxidation state (WHO, 2017). In agriculture, nitrates are frequently used as fertilizers.
Vegetables, fruits, and water supplies are frequently contaminated with nitrate and nitrite (Aires,
2013). An excessive amount of nitrates in the water, particularly in a lake or river, might
endanger the aquatic life. Nitrates provide algae with food when they enter the water, causing the
algae to grow out of control—a condition known as eutrophication. Algae will then consume all
of the oxygen in the water.

CONCLUTION

The experiment successfully determined the nitrate concentrations in raw and portable water
samples using the spectrophotometric method based on the reaction between nitrate ions,
sulphuric acid, and sodium salicylate. Monitoring nitrate levels in water is crucial for ensuring
public health and environmental safety.
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