THE POLYTECHNIC

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES

PROGRAM: BSc ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

TECHNOLOGY

COURSE TITLE: ANALYITICAC CHEMISTRY ONE

COURSE CODE: PBS-EMA-311

SUBMITTED TO: S. JAMES

SUBMITTED BY: MPHATSO CHIRWA

REGISTRATION NUMBER: BILT/20/SS/006

DATE SUBMITTED: 9TH FEBRUARY ,2024

REPORT FOR WATER SAMPLE COLLECTION AT MUDI RIVER

Abstract

The characteristic of can that defined water be described in two ways; based on the qualitatively
and quantitatively parameters (BOEHNKE, 2000).Water quality parameter refers to those
physical ,chemical and biological proparties .The physical parameters are frequently sampled for
water quality .These parameters include temperature ,Ph, conductivity and total dissolved
solid(TDS) dissolved oxygen and turbidity .However water monitoring may also include
masuring total algae ISEs(ammonia, nitrate, chlorine)or laboratory parameters such as
BOB,titration,or TOC.Water sample were corrected within Mudi river in different location on
which some water parameters were tested.

.Introduction

Water quality parameters, including electric conductivity, temperature ,salinity ,dissolved

oxygen ,Ph, flow rate ,biological oxygen demand (BOD) , odour , and alpha and beta
radionuclide can be influenced by human activities such as pollution (DojlidoJ., 1993).Poor
water quality can lead to hazardous impacts on human life and the environment. To ensure
knowledge on water quality , measurements and assessment are necessary. Some parameters fall
under sample removal analysis, which involves colleting samples and preserve them for future
laboratory analysis, while others fall under in situ analysis which uses simple and mobile
equipment to prove actual results . The purpose of correcting the samples of water at Mudi river
was to analyse the biological contaminants, electrical conductivity, PH values total dissolved
solids and temperature .The results will determine if water from Mudi river are suitable to be
used by the people or not depending on the composition , the dissolved mineral salts and heavy
metal .The aim of the expedition was to check the current condition of Mudi water and the
impact that it has to the people as well as all other living things that uses the water. Sample
corrected will help to decided if water are safe .

.Fieldwork Details

The river is located in Blantyre city and this particur runs through the heart of Blantyre city .Its
source is somewhere in Mpingwi and collectively begins at Mudi dam close to offices of
Blantyre water board. Sample collection and analysis were done in upper stream at Maoni ,then
at the middle stream(Nyambadwe) then at lower stream (wenera) and downstream at
Namiwawa. During the trip the challenges ware poor data correction due to overcrowding of
students.

Sample correction procedures

Sample correction were done using grab sampling method, water sample were corrected at each
point of sample correction ,and the sample was put into three bottles. Before correcting the
sample the lab technician wore gloves to avoid contamination of the sample .The bottle were
leased for three times. In order to measure the PH,/TDS/EC water was poured into arka device
which measures PH,TDS and EC .metric acid were added to the corrected samples in order to
precipate the cation.

.Sample corrected
Sample water collection were done in four different location that is in upper river(Maoni),middle
river( Blantyre water board),and down stream (clock tower),Downstream(Namiwawa) of Mudi
river. The water collected was different in terms of colour on which at upper stream water was
colorless while downstream water was yellowish in color.

Result collected

At each point of collection of water sample three test were conducted to check the level of Ph,
electron conductivity, as well as total number of dissolved solids. A smaller beaker was used to
collect small sample of the reasonable amount and poured into a hole of machine at the top of
the EC machine and the machine was allowed to read three times ,This were done with all three
tet conducted at each point were sample were collected .The results are represented in the tables
below

Parameter Group A Group B Group C Group D

Temperature (C ) Maona Middle stream Down stream Downstream
Unacidified Blantyre Water Clock Tower Namiwawa
Board
Temperature 23.1 23.4 26.9 25.1
Trial 1
Trial2 22.1 23.3 26.2 24.9
Trial3 22 22.3 26.1 25.0
Average 22.4 26.4 25.2

Parameter Group A Group B Group C Group D

pH Maona Middle stream Down stream Downstream
Unacidified Blantyre Water Clock Tower Namiwawa
Board
Trial 1 8.31 7.08 8.31 7.9
Trial 2 8.31 7.12 8.46 7.76
Trial 3 8.31 7.24 8.52 7.71
Average 8.31 7.01 8.43 7.8

Parameter Group A Group B Group C Group D

 Electron Maona Middle stream Down stream Downstream
conductivity Unacidified Blantyre Water Clock Tower Namiwawa
Board
Trial 1 196.2 298.3 639.4 557.6
Trial 2 197.7 300.9 646.4 556.4
Trial 3 195.1 301.1 648.4 556.4
Average 196.3 300 644.9 556.8

Parameter Group A Group B Group C Group D

Total Dissolved Maona Un Middle stream Down stream Downstream
Solids acidified Blantyre Water Clock Tower Namiwawa
Board
Trial 1 123.3 189.5 418.5 364.4
Trial 2 123.2 190.5 422.6 361.5
Trial 3 123.8 196.5 423.2 361.6
Average 123.4 192.2 421.4 362.5

Conclusion

In conclusion variation on the data tested indicate the level of contamination of each particular
location on which the sample were collected. In terms challenges faced during the trip ware,
overcrowding of students attended the trip which made it so difficult for some student to do
sampling process .Bad weather condition which could interfere with the results

Appendex 1

GPS Group A Group B Group C Group D

Maona Un Middle Down stream Downstream
acidified stream Clock Tower Namiwawa
Blantyre
Water Board
Latitude -15795 -15.7998660, -15.79495 -15.79449
S15⁰47.200768 35⁰.0692210 S15⁰4741.82 S15⁰4740.14888
Longitudes 35⁰.03674 6329+3M5 35⁰.O3672 34⁰.99492
E35212.24644 E352‘12.192 E345941.72316
A dress 624+7QR Near 624P +7QR 6X4W+P28,
Blantyre ,Malaw Blantyre Blantyre ,Malaw Blantyre ,Malaw
i i i
Reference

BOEHNKE, D. R. (2000). Laboratory Experiment in Environmental chemistry,. upper Saddle RIVER,NJ:

prentice hill.

DojlidoJ. (1993). Chemistry of water and water pollution,. Ellis HORWOOD LIMITED.