Water Quality Analysis Report: Parameters and Engineering Applications

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This report presents a comprehensive analysis of water quality parameters essential for civil engineering applications. The analysis encompasses various aspects, including the measurement of alkalinity and pH, which are crucial indicators of water's buffering capacity and acidity levels. The report details the temperature and dissolved oxygen levels, highlighting their impact on water's suitability for aquatic life and the solubility of chemical substances. Furthermore, it examines electrical conductivity, providing insights into the geological composition of the region and the presence of dissolved inorganic solids. The report also investigates the presence of organic and inorganic substances, including heavy metals, and their potential effects on water contamination and suitability for different engineering purposes, such as construction and domestic use. The findings are presented in a way that offers a practical understanding of how water quality impacts various civil engineering projects, including the potential for fish farming and the suitability of the water for human consumption. The report emphasizes the importance of these parameters in determining the overall suitability of water for specific applications and the implications for environmental balance after construction.
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Civil Engineering 1
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Introduction

Water finds its application in a range of activities with each of the uses have designated

chemical, biological and physical standards that are required to ensure success in the intended

use
(Ganoulis, 2008, p.257). Water quality refers to the chemical, biological and physical
attributes of water and is usually about its suitability for designated use. Water quality analysis

aids in the determination of the various water parameters regarding the standard designs to

confirm is such parameters conform with the outlined standards. Water quality analysis is most

important in the monitoring of water to confirm that the water sample provided is suitable for the

intended use.

Measurement of the Alkalinity and pH

Alkalinity is a measure used in the determination of the neutralizing capacity of a water sample

or in words its ability to keep a fairly constant pH
(Bhatti, 2013, p.89). The ability to maintain a
constant pH by a water sample is a factor of the carbonate, hydroxyl and bicarbonate ions that

would be present in the sample. Carbonate and calcium ions have to a significant extent an effect

on the ability of natural water to buffer. Limestone or calcium carbonate as it is scientifically

known is the primary source of calcium and carbonate ions. Ideally, when water is exposed to

limestone, it would gain both calcium and carbon ions thereby an increase in its alkalinity and

the hardness
(Bhatti, 2013, p.69).
From the obtained results of the tests in the two samples, the pH values were 20.7 mg as CaCO
3
for US and 21.4 mg as CaCO
3 for DS. These indicate relatively neutral water samples showing
that the alkalinity in the two samples was average. Water samples with alkalinity of less than 45

mg as CaCO
3 as in the case of the two samples are considered to be of low alkalinity and thus
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Civil Engineering 3
low buffering capacity. The pH of such water samples quickly changes when acids are added to

them
(Raikar, 2012, p.112). When the alkalinity of a substance is high, it is possible to add more
acid to the substance without a significant change in the pH of the substance. This is possible

since the carbonates and hydrogen carbonates present in the sample would react with the

hydrogen ions, which are responsible for the acidic properties, which would inhibit the decrease

in the pH.

Closely related to alkalinity is the pH, the concentration of hydrogen ions in a sample of water.

pH measures the amount or concentration of hydrogen ions in water. The higher the hydrogen

ion concentration, the lower the pH. From the obtained results of the analysis, the pH of the two

samples is found to be 7.65 for US and 7.4 for DS. These are an illustration of neutral samples of

water. The pH of the two samples is tending to low values
(Maqbool, 2013, p.92).
The alkalinity and the pH of the water samples show that the water is neutral. The level of

acidity and alkalinity in both samples balance out. This makes the water be used for different

purposes. Neutral water can support the lives of living organism both human beings, plants and

aquatic creatures.

Analysis of Temperature and Dissolved oxygen

Temperature is the measure of the intensity of the heat that is stored in a volume of a sample of

water. Ideally, the temperatures of surface water range from 0
to 40 that is observable in hot
springs
(Hing, 2012, p.87). Temperature is the main determinant of the intensity of water. It also
affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in a water sample since as the temperature of water

increases, the solubility of dissolved oxygen reduces. From the analysis, the temperature of the

US sample was found to be 10.5
while that of DS was 10.6. These are relatively low
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Civil Engineering 4
temperatures. Temperature has an impact on the solubility of chemical substances. High

temperatures increase the solubility of chemical substances in the water hence affecting the

pollution effect of the water. From these results, it is deducible that the water samples contained

a high amount of dissolved oxygen and had lower rates of dissolution of chemical substances or

compounds due to the low-temperature values of both samples
(Kashif, 2011, p.57).
This water sample can thus be used in supporting aquatic life due to the high concentration of

dissolved oxygen. It is possible to incorporate such activities as fish farming into the site as one

of the developments. The aquatic plants and animals would easily adapt to the prevailing

conditions. The development is further facilitated by the low temperature of the water, which

was about 10
C. These conditions are ideal for fish farming and thus can serve to bring the site
under a varied range of activities thereby bringing about a balance in the ecosystem of the site

after construction
(Kashif, 2011, p.105).
Electrical conductivity

This is the measure of the flow of electrons facilitated by ions through the ions. As a function of

the pH and temperature, water molecules are able to dissociate into ions thereby enabling

estimation of the electrical conductivity of the water. The extent of conduction of electricity in

water is determined by factors among them

The mobility of the ions: The higher the mobility, the higher the electrical conductivity
due to increased flexibility of the ions.

The concentration of the ions: More ions mean more conductivity substance and thus
higher conductivity.
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Temperature: Increases the kinetic energy of the ions thereby increasing the speed of
flow and thus higher electrical conductivity and;

Oxidation state (Krenkel, 2012, p.530)
Among the applications about water quality that are determined using electrical conductivity

include;

Mineralization determination
Estimation of the sizes of samples that would be required for other chemical analyses
Taking note of the variations in natural water; and
Estimation of the number of chemical reagents that are to be added to a sample of water
Conductivity is affected by the presence of dissolved inorganic solids as well as temperature

(Council, 2012, p.208)
. A higher temperature increases the rate of conductivity since there would
be increased mobility of the ions and electrons responsible for conductivity. Temperature does

not affect the electrical conductivity of the two samples of water used in this experiment. The

samples were found to be at low temperatures that may not ignite the ions to flow freely.

The results obtained from the quality analysis of water indicate that the DS water sample had an

electrical conductivity of 188.6 uS/cm while US sample had a conductivity of 197.8 uS/cm.

Electrical conductivity of water in streams is, and rivers are influenced by the geological

composition of the region through which the water flows. It is possible to conclude from these

results that the streams were running through regions with clay soils. Such regions tend to have

higher conductivity due to the presence of materials that are able to ionize when they are washed

into the water
(Krenkel, 2012, p.434). The results posted about electrical conductivity gives a
clue of the type of soil from which the water samples were collected which can be concluded to
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Civil Engineering 6
be clay soil. An in-depth analysis of the properties of this clay soil can be conducted to establish

its strength among other attributes. Clay soils are known for their strength and thus able to

support heavy loads of structures. They can, therefore, be used to erect tall and storey buildings

to significant heights. In this regard, it would help in the conservation of space that is put under

construction and thus an environmental balance between the built and the unbuilt spaces.

Samples for inorganic chemical analysis

Organic materials are derivatives of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen and are extracted

from living organisms besides industrial sources
(Li, 2010, p.258). Organic compounds may be
composed of sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine among other elements. Various

organic compounds have different impacts on the quality of water thereby a determinant of the

usages of such water. While benzene and vinyl chloride are known as being an agent of

carcinogenesis, other compounds are known for other effects. Organic compound can either be

organic or synthetic. Natural organics substances find themselves in water in water through a

variety of processes inclusive of precipitation and interaction between precipitation and soils.

Fabricated organic compounds are composed of a variety of aromatic and aliphatic compounds

(Li, 2010, p.324)
.
The test results of the two water samples indicated the availability of insignificant levels of

organic compounds. Among the organic compounds whose presence were tested included

naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene

among other organic substances. The results indicated less than 1mg/L for some of the organic

substances and <2mg/L for others. This indicated that the samples were free from organic

substances. Closely related to organic substances in water is total organic carbon (TOC). This is
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Civil Engineering 7
used in the determination of organics in water. It is estimated by finding the difference between

the total carbon and inorganic carbon in the water sample. The total organic carbon for the two

samples US and DS were18.1gml/L and 18.5 mg/L
(Council, 2012, p.188).
Samples for inorganic chemical analysis

The presence and the quantity of a variety of inorganic substances were tested under this test.

Among the inorganic substances whose presence were detected in the two samples included

fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulphate, phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and

sodium among other inorganic substances. The concentration of fluoride, bromide, nitrite,

phosphate and ammonium were found to be less than 0.20 mg/l of the samples. Calcium,

chloride and sulphate were found to be having a concentration of greater than 10mg/l while

nitrate sodium and potassium had a concentration of more than 1mg/l but less than 10mg/l

(Bhatti, 2013, p.87)
.
The samples contain nitrogen in different concentrations and forms. Nitrogen exits in such forms

as nitrite, ammonia and nitrates. Of all these forms, nitrates are found to be the most common

inorganic pollutant to water. Ammonia results as a product of decomposition of the remains of

dead plants and animals. Nitrites, on the other hand, are in most cases found to be in very low

concentrations in most of the samples of water as they are readily converted to nitrates by

nitrogen-fixing bacteria. From this analysis, nitrate was found to be in the highest concentration

of the three forms of nitrogen.

The presence of nitrates in the water samples is an illustration of the influence of the

groundwater by inadequate or improperly functioning septic systems. It provides an

understanding of the necessary adjustments that need to be made to the septic system before the
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commencement of engineering work on the site
(Raikar, 2012, p.106). This knowledge is also
fundamental in the determination of the influence of different grain sizes of soil determines the

flow rates as well and an understanding of the concept of soil as a natural filter.

Samples for analysis of heavy metals

The presence of heavy metals in a water sample affects the level of contamination of the water.

Higher concentration illustrates high levels of contamination in the water and hence limiting the

applicable uses of the water. The analysis provided is for some of the heavy metals including

iron, aluminium, barium, beryllium, silver, lithium among other metals. Metals including silver,

beryllium had a concentration of less than 0.05 ug/l. aluminium, boron, iron was in very high

concentrations. This means engineering tasks that would not be in favor of using water

containing such elements would be discouraged. On the other hand, metals like iron are good for

the human body. It would thus be encouraged to use this water as drinking water for the dwellers

of the built structures
(Bhatti, 2013, p.35).
Heavy metals have been confirmed as a major source of threat and associated with various health

risks in human beings. This has led to the need for caution even as water containing such

elements is to find their applications in engineering. These metals in as much as do not perform

any biological role in the human body are able to remain the human body in other forms that

would lead to the improper functioning and hence harmful to the human body. Some of these

metals including aluminium can be removed through processes of elimination. It is thus

recommended that a check is done on the level of heavy metals present in the samples to ensure a

proper choice of the designated application.
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Civil Engineering 9
Calculation of the TDS

Total dissolved solids (TDS) refer to the determination of the amount of organic and inorganic

substances that dissolve in a liquid, giving a clue on the proportion of the different solids. This

parameter can be used in the measurement of the level of pollution in water features.

TDS=KE×EC, where KE is the correlation factor and EC the electrical conductivity of the water

sample.

From the results of the sample used in the analysis, the electrical conductivity of US water

sample was found to be 197.8 uS/cm while that of DS water sample was 188.6 uS/cm
(Ganoulis,
2008, p.68)
. Using these statistics, the TDS of the two samples were found to be 99 mg/l and 108
mg/l respectively. Pure water contains no dissolved mineral salts hence has a zero total dissolved

solids. In circumstances where there are dissolved mineral, pollutants and salts, the total amount

of such dissolved solids gives a clue on the quality of the water hence providing grounds for

monitoring the quality of such water.

Using the results of this analysis, the water samples are found to be containing relatively

significant levels of total dissolved solids. High values of totals dissolved solids are an indication

that the water is hard meaning there are numerous dissolved minerals that may be seen to form

scale on either side of a swimming pool or inside the pipes. The values of the TDS can thus be

used in establishing the most appropriate interventions before the scale is informed. This

information is also important in the establishment of the most appropriate materials that can be

used on the sides of the swimming pool or even the pipes to avoid being stained by the scale. The

scale is formed on metal surfaces and thus advisable to use plastic pipes in the distribution of this

water to avoid such a problem
(Council, 2012, p.54).
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Civil Engineering 10
Ion charge balance

In order to calculate the ion charge balance, the concentration of each of the ions present in the

sample must be established
(Raikar, 2012, p.77). Similarly, the seven major ions including
sodium sulfate, bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, calcium and potassium can successfully be

used in establishing the ion charge of the two samples. The amount of these ions and their

molecular weights in the two samples is as follows

Ion/Sample
1US 1DS 1US 1DS Molecular
weight

Sulphate
15.16 15.37 15.21 15.33 96.06
Sodium
6.75 6.44 6.64 6.84 22.9898
Magnesium
3.20 3.16 1.87 1.88 24.305
Calcium
11.43 11.60 10.95 11.98 40.078
Potassium
1.88 1.98 1.87 1.88 39.0983
Chloride
20.98 20.41 20.08 20.13 35.543
Step 2

Determination of the concentration of the ions

Using these figures, the concentrations of the various cations and ions are calculated.

Concentration of

sulphate in

1US=96.06*15.16/1000=1.4563
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1DS=15.37*96.06/1000=1.47644

1DS=15.21*96.06/1000=1.4610

2DS=15.33*96.06/1000=1.4726

Sodium in

1US=22.9898*6.75/1000=0.15518

1DS=22.9898*6.44/1000=0.1480

1DS=22.9898*6.64/1000=0.1527

2D=22.9898*6.84/1000=0.157

Magnesium in

1US=24.305*3.2/1000=0.077776

1DS=24.305*3.16/1000=0.0768

1DS=24.305*1.87/1000=0.0454

2D=24.305*1.88/1000=0.045645

Calcium in

1US=40.078*11.43/1000=0.4581

1DS=40.078*11.60/1000=0.4649

1DS=40.078*10.95/1000=0.43885
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Civil Engineering 12
2D=40.078*11.98/1000=0.48013

Potassium in

1US=39.0983*1.88/1000=0.0735

1DS=39.0983*1.98/1000=0.07741

1DS=39.0983*1.87/1000=0.07311

2D=39.09831.88/1000=0.0735

Chloride in

1US=35.543*20.98/1000=0.7457

1DS=35.543*20.41/1000=0.7254

1DS=35.543*20.08/1000=0.7137

2D=35.543*20.13/1000=0.7155

Step 3multiplicaton of the concentration with the valence of the ion

sulphate in

1US=>1.4563*2=2.9126 eq/L

1DS=>1.47644=2.953 eq/L

1DS=>1.4610=2.922 eq/L

2DS=>1.4726=2.9452 eq/L
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