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Topic 3_Test Parameters Methods

The document outlines methods for determining soil pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate, organic carbon, and total dissolved solids in water. Each method includes principles, equipment, reagents, procedures, and calculations required for accurate measurement. Precautions are also mentioned to ensure reliable results.

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viswanath rongali
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3 views

Topic 3_Test Parameters Methods

The document outlines methods for determining soil pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate, organic carbon, and total dissolved solids in water. Each method includes principles, equipment, reagents, procedures, and calculations required for accurate measurement. Precautions are also mentioned to ensure reliable results.

Uploaded by

viswanath rongali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Method for Determination of pH in Soil

Principle:
Soil pH is measured by determining the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil solution using a pH
meter or electrode.

Equipment:
Soil pH meter or electrode, distilled water, measuring cup, stirrer, safety gloves, goggles.

Reagents:
Buffer solutions with known pH values (e.g., pH 4.01, pH 7.00, pH 10.01), distilled water.

Procedure:

1. Calibrate the pH meter using standard buffer solutions.


2. Collect and prepare the soil sample by crushing and mixing with distilled water to form a
suspension.
3. Insert the pH electrode into the suspension and record the stabilized pH value.
4. Rinse the electrode with distilled water between measurements.

Calculation:
No calculation required. The pH value is directly recorded from the pH meter.

Method for Determination of Electrical Conductivity (EC) in Soil

Principle:
Electrical conductivity of the soil is measured by applying a small alternating current to the soil-water
suspension and recording the resulting conductivity, which correlates to the concentration of dissolved
salts.

Equipment:
EC meter, beaker or container, stirrer, safety gloves, goggles.

Reagents:
Distilled water.

Procedure:

1. Prepare a soil-water suspension by mixing 1 part soil with 2.5 parts distilled water.
2. Stir the suspension thoroughly and allow it to settle for a few minutes.
3. Insert the EC meter probe into the suspension and record the conductivity after stabilization.
4. Rinse the EC meter probe with distilled water between measurements.

Calculation:
EC value is directly recorded from the EC meter. No additional calculation is required.
Method for Determination of Nitrate in Soil

Principle:
Nitrate in soil is extracted using a suitable solvent (e.g., water), and its concentration is then measured
using a colorimetric method, typically by adding reagents that form a colored complex with nitrate, which
is quantified by spectrophotometry.

Equipment:
Spectrophotometer, beaker, pipettes, stirring rod, safety gloves, goggles.

Reagents:

1. Distilled water
2. Nitrate reagent (e.g., sodium salicylate or brucine)
3. Standard nitrate solution for calibration

Procedure:

1. Extract nitrate from the soil by shaking a known amount of soil with distilled water (e.g., 1:5 soil
to water ratio).
2. Filter the mixture to obtain the clear extract.
3. Prepare a series of standards with known nitrate concentrations.
4. Add nitrate reagent to the sample and standards.
5. After the color develops, measure the absorbance of the sample and standards using a
spectrophotometer at the appropriate wavelength.
6. Compare the sample’s absorbance with the standard curve to determine the nitrate concentration.

Calculation:
Nitrate concentration is calculated by comparing the sample's absorbance to the standard curve and
multiplying by the dilution factor.

Method for Determination of Organic Carbon in Soil

Principle:
Organic carbon in the soil is oxidized by potassium dichromate in the presence of sulfuric acid. The
remaining unreacted dichromate is then titrated with ferrous ammonium sulfate, and the organic carbon
content is determined based on the amount of dichromate reduced.

Equipment:
Magnetic stirrer, burette, beaker, muffle furnace (optional for drying), safety gloves, goggles.

Reagents:

1. 1N Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7) solution


2. Concentrated Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
3. 0.5 M Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate [(NH4)2SO4.FeSO4.6H2O] solution
4. Diphenylamine indicator (C6H5)2NH
5. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)

Procedure:

1. Weigh 1 g of air-dried soil and place it in a beaker.


2. Add 10 mL of 1N potassium dichromate and 20 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid. Mix well and let
it stand for 30 minutes.
3. After cooling, add 200 mL of distilled water and 10 mL of phosphoric acid.
4. Add 10-15 drops of diphenylamine indicator, and stir.
5. Titrate the mixture with 0.5 M ferrous ammonium sulfate until the color changes from violet-blue
to green.
6. Prepare blanks and treat them in the same way for comparison.

Calculation:
Organic Carbon (OC) = (M × (Vblank - Vsample) × 0.3) / Wt
Where:

 M = Molarity of ferrous ammonium sulfate


 Vblank = Volume of titrant for blank
 Vsample = Volume of titrant for sample
 Wt = Weight of soil (g)
 0.3 = Conversion factor for organic carbon.

1. Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Water

Purpose: Measure the residue left after evaporating water to indicate the concentration of dissolved solids.
Procedure:

1. Filter 100 mL water sample to remove suspended particles.


2. Evaporate in a pre-weighed dish at 103-105°C until dry.
3. Cool in a desiccator, weigh the residue, and calculate TDS.
Calculation: TDS (mg/L) = (Residue weight (mg) / Sample volume (mL)) × 1000
Precautions: Ensure accurate drying temperature and clean apparatus.

2. Determination of Alkalinity in Water

Purpose: Assess water's capacity to neutralize acids using titration.


Procedure:

1. Take 50 mL water sample, add phenolphthalein indicator.


2. Titrate with 0.1 N HCl until pink disappears (phenolphthalein alkalinity).
3. Add methyl orange, continue titration to red endpoint (total alkalinity).
Calculation: Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO₃) = (V × N × 50,000) / Sample volume
Precautions: Use appropriate indicators and avoid over-titration.

3. Determination of Hardness in Water

Purpose: Measure total calcium and magnesium ions using EDTA titration.
Procedure:

1. Take 50 mL water sample, add Eriochrome Black T indicator.


2. Add buffer to pH 10, titrate with 0.01 N EDTA until color changes from red to blue.
Calculation: Hardness (mg/L as CaCO₃) = (V × N × 1000) / Sample volume
Precautions: Maintain pH at 10 for accurate results.

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