What are the methods of water analysis?

Water analysis is one of the most important steps in water treatment. This is because the water of all kinds and its sources is the main element for the continued survival of all kinds of living organisms. And when even a very slight imbalance occurs in one of the natural water sources, this may cause major changes in all components of the ecosystem. Even non-living components of an ecosystem are affected like soil, which affects the integrative relationship between all ecosystems.

The characteristics and type of water are the main indicators that indicate the usability of water. Whether this use is related to agricultural, industrial, or drinking water fields. In order to know those characteristics and their suitability for a purpose and the various pollution problems that they have been exposed to, we conduct an analysis of the water to obtain the data we want accurately.

Water analyzes have many different methods used to detect objects and materials that differ according to the purpose of use and the data to be known.

It should also be known that water analyzes are not suitable to be applied to all types and sources of water. The analyzes that are carried out on highly saline water are not suitable for applying them to freshwater, or water to which chlorine has been added.

Types of water analysis:

• Chlorine.
• Temperature, color, odor, and taste.
• Chlorine and salinity.
• Halogens.
• Transition element test.
• Phosphates.
• pesticides.
• Industrial detergents.
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons test.
• PCB test.
• Chemical additives such as antiscalants and anti-corrosion.
• Activated sludge test.
• Total bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria.
• pH measurement.
• Chemical oxygen demand.
• Biological oxygen demand test.
• TSS test
• TDS test
• Chloride.
• The effect of greases and oils on water.
• Water sediments and bottom sediments.
• Nitrates and nitrites.
• Ozone
• Phenols
• Cyanide
• Hydrazine
• Ammonia
• Total nitrogen.
• Toxic elements of heavy metals.
• Turbidity.
• The degree of total organic carbon.
• Sludge volume index test
• Alkaline and basic water.
• Radioactive elements.
• Water hardness.
• Electrical conductivity of water.

Carewater and lab tests

We work in Carewater to provide the latest tools to conduct water tests and analyses with extreme accuracy, you can contact us here for more information.

Your comprehensive guide to all types of water analyzes

Chlorine

Chlorine testing aims to ensure that chlorination continues to be effective. Specifically, the residual chlorine remains in the water to eliminate the bacteria that follow the chlorination process. This analysis is performed using a composite DPD and photometer.

Temperature, color, odor, and taste

The water temperature test aims to identify emergency changes that indicate pollution in industrial water. As well as revealing the extent of the solubility of oxygen and the changes that occur to organisms that live in water due to low or high temperatures. Also, the temperature of the water when drawing the sample from its source is one of the important things, which is useful in obtaining the results of the advanced laboratory analyzes that are conducted on the same water sample accurately. The water temperature is measured by a thermometer. As for the color, it is tested by cobalt platinum and optical comparison. The odor test is related to any water smell that is checked by the source. As for the taste of water, it is checked by examining a sample of drinking water repeatedly every half hour, using reference samples, and then making a final evaluation.

Chlorine and salinity

Chlorine is the number of grams of chloride in a kilogram of the ocean or seawater. Salinity is the number of grams of salt in the same amount of water. It is calculated by performing some measurement transformations and physical laws to calculate the density of water and then calculating the final result.

Halogens

Water analysis to check the percentage of iodine, fluorine, molybdenum and bromine.

Transition element test

It is an examination conducted on the water to detect the presence of copper, manganese, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and other transitional elements in the periodic table and to know their percentage in water.

Phosphate

An examination for the presence of phosphates in the water to infer contamination with organic water and to accurately calculate the BOD value.

Pesticides

A test was conducted on surface and ground waters to check for pesticide residues. The time between sample collection and direct extraction must be calculated. This test is done by some devices that detect residues of fenarimol and deltamethrin…etc.

Industrial detergents

It is one of the water analyzes that is used to examine the detergent and its effects on water. Whether used in packing materials, the active ingredient, or even other materials. Examination of industrial detergents is of great importance in protecting the ecosystems in the water, as well as maintaining the oxygen content, and preserving the water environment from the deadly and toxic effects that occur due to such substances.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons test

Water analysis for the detection of polyaromatic hydrocarbons which are lethal, carcinogenic, and highly toxic.

PCB test

One of the tests carried out on the water to detect the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls, which poses a very dangerous effect on the liver and is a cause of cancer and causes birth defects.

Chemical additives such as antiscalants and anti-corrosion

This test aims to check the presence of compounds such as hydrazine, other oxygen scavengers, antiscalants, anticorrosive and other chemicals that are added to water. This type of water analysis is mostly related to boiler water.

Activated sludge test

This type of water analysis is for wastewater treatment, where the activated sludge from water treatment is biologically tested. It aims to convert dissolved organic materials into dissolved materials that are easy to sediment, to know the sedimentation volume after half an hour. Measuring the percentage of food consumed by living organisms and measuring the solid plankton of the liquid mixture.

Total bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria

The analysis of the total bacteria in the water is one of the tests that are carried out on a sample of water, and it varies according to the purpose and the desired purpose of the water used. It uses different types of nutrient media. As for fecal coliform bacteria, it is a specific examination for this type of bacteria, which indicates the contamination of water with human and animal waste. It is considered an indication of the presence of other types of bacteria in the water.

pH measurement

This measurement aims to know the basicity and acidity of water. It must be taken into account that there are factors affecting the correctness of the measurement, such as the presence of some other substances in the water, as well as the pH and pH. In short, it is the negative value of the logarithm of the concentration of positive hydrogen inside water. It can be measured by universal indicator, pH meter, or potentiometer. The results of this measurement between 7-14 indicate that the medium is basic, and from 0-7 indicate that the medium is acidic, meaning that the number 7 indicates the neutral state.

Chemical oxygen demand test

It is a test for the indirect measurement of the amount of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD quantify the amount of organic pollutants present in surface water (eg lakes and rivers) or wastewater, making COD a useful measure of water quality.

Biological oxygen demand test

It is the amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic biological organisms to break down the organic matter present in a water sample at a given temperature and within a specified period of time. This term also refers to the chemical procedure that is performed to determine this order quantity. This procedure is not an accurate quantitative test, although it is widely used as an indicator of organic water quality.

TSS test

It is the total suspended solids that have not been dissolved in a sample of water.

TDS Tests

A TDS meter or TDS meter is a device for measuring TDS in water. It is used to measure the volume of ionized materials such as table salt and metals using the conductivity of an electric current.

Chloride

It is a laboratory test performed by the Volhard method or titration by the Mohr and Volhard method. Or using a Mixed indicator and do a titration of mercury nitrate with dilute nitric acid. Chloride is tested in water to determine COD very accurately and to detect leaks in factories that use heat exchangers to cool some machines or even factories that use refrigerants. Also, the chloride scale and knowing its percentage confirms the effectiveness of salt removal operations because it is an indicator of the amount of salts present in the water.

Effect of grease and oils in water

To measure the effect of fats and oils in water, its aim is to know the percentage of the effect of hydrocarbons in water. The CFC method is used in water analysis and funnel separation to obtain the PPm ratio for the concentration of hydrocarbons. This analysis is used to find out the damage caused by factories to the aquatic environment in the event of industrial pollution with grease and oils to the water.

Water sediments and bottom sediments

One of the measurement methods used to know the geological, mechanical and chemical changes in water. This is done by calculating bottom sediments and water sediments using advanced tools and materials.

Nitrates and Nitrites

Nitrate and nitrite analysis in water aims to detect nitrogenous compounds in water. Knowing the percentage of nitrates and nitrites and making sure that they do not exceed the permissible limit, which ranges between 20: 50 milligrams per one liter of water. Nitrates and nitrites pose a real health risk, especially for children. The danger lies in the oxidation of hemoglobin in the blood as well as the production of carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Ozone

This measurement aims to know the percentage of ozone concentration in water to know the permissible limit. And the effect of different concentrations of ozone on the elimination of other organisms and pathogens.

Phenols

Phenols are toxic organic compounds. Examination and analysis of phenols in water aims to check their presence in the water. This is related to the water temperature and its acidity.

Cyanide

The detection of cyanide, which is famous for its toxicity, is one of the tests that are carried out in water analysis laboratories to determine its presence.

Hydrazine

It is known in the sciences of water treatment of all kinds that hydrazine is used as an anti-corrosion, for its ability to get rid of dissolved oxygen in water, but in the event of a direct approach between the food and beverage industries with boiler steam, hydrazine is examined.

Ammonia

An examination of the water to detect its contamination with deadly ammonia that destroys the aquatic environment and the living organisms inside it, in addition to its severe danger to humans. The toxic nitrogenous ammonia is a major threat to drinking water sources.

Total nitrogen

Water analysis to detect total nitrogen and know its percentage, which is related to all types of water, whether drinking water, surface water, groundwater or sewage.

Toxic elements of heavy metals

Another water analysis to accurately detect the presence of lead, silver, arsenic and mercury, which are water pollutants and toxic.

Turbidity

A water test with a water turbidity meter to determine the percentage of solid plankton, by measuring the deviation of tungsten or infrared light. Calibration was done by formalin, and the results of water turbidity in NTU and turbidity differed from TSS measurement of water, as this is more general and comprehensive.

Total organic carbon

One of the important water analyzes is to remove the inorganic carbon from the water, calculate the total carbon remaining in the water, or calculate the total carbon and know the result, then calculate the total inorganic carbon and deduct it from the total so that the results are the degree of total organic carbon. The function of this analysis is to detect the remains of organisms that have decomposed and that have not yet decomposed.

Sludge volume index test

Test special for wastewater and its treatment, and its function is to calculate the proportion of the sedimentation volume factor from the stimulated sludge.

Alkaline and alkaline water

Water analysis aims to measure carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxyl, to calculate the total alkalinity of water. The pH of water may express a constant value, while the alkalinity increases. Therefore, the calculation and analysis of the alkalinity of water are specific to water in an industrial environment, and the PPM is the unit of measurement. Total alkalinity is measured by titration with acid-alkali and there are advanced analyzes to calculate the concentration precisely and accurately.

Radioactive elements

The analysis aims to detect radioactive elements such as radium, and everyone knows how dangerous these radiations are to all organisms. Water may be contaminated with these elements during its flow or from the rocky layers of the water source, or even the intervention of the human element in the occurrence of water pollution with these elements that are precisely determined by the seriousness of their presence in the water.

Water hardness

Analysis of water by titrating the stable and stable complexes against EDTA, which combines with calcium and magnesium to form the complexes, then using a detector to determine the degree of hardness of the water.

Water hardness has treatment methods that differ according to the type of hardness. Permanent water hardness differs from temporary hardness.

Electrical conductivity of water

A test that aims to know the conductivity of electrons in water. Conductivity and titration by sodium chloride solution are used in this test to obtain correct results.

Important tips when analyzing water

1. When withdrawing the water sample, be careful not to expose it to contamination in another way.
2. The sample is drawn from the place where the water is to be carefully tested.
3. Samples drawn from surface water are drawn from below the surface by immersion.
4. Tap water and pumps are left open for a while before the sample is drawn.
5. Bacteriology analysis of drinking water should not be more than three hours after the sample was drawn.
6. The laboratory specialist should be informed of the time during which the sample was collected.
7. Taking some samples may require adding chemicals to stop the influence of other factors that may affect the result of the water analysis.