TURBIDITY

Objective

To obtain the turbidity of the sample provided using the Hach Laboratory turbidimeter.

Introduction

Turbidity is a measure of the relative clarity of water. It is an optical characteristic of water and
is an expression of the amount of the amount of light that is scattered by material in the water
when a light is shone through the water sample. The higher the intensity of scattered light, the
higher the turbidity. Material that causes water to be turbid include clay, silt, finely divided
inorganic and organic matter, algae, soluble coloured organic compounds and plankton and other
microscopic organisms. Turbidity is reported in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).

Higher concentrations of particulate matter affect light penetration and productivity, recreational
values, habitat quality and cause lakes to fill in faster. In streams, increased sedimentation and
siltation can occur, which can result in harm to habitat areas for fish and other aquatic life.

Particles also provide attachment places for other pollutants, notably metals and bacteria. For this
reason, turbidity readings can be used as an indicator of potential pollution in a water body.

Suspended particles absorb heat from the sunlight making turbid waters become warmer and so
reducing the concentration of oxygen. Suspended particles also scatter the light, thus decreasing
the photosynthetic activity of plants and algae, which contributes to lowering of oxygen
concentration even further.

Excessive turbidity in drinking water is aesthetically unappealing and may also represent a health
concern. Turbidity can provide food and shelter for pathogens and can promote re-growth of
pathogens in the distribution system if not removed leading to waterborne disease outbreaks.

The World Health Organization establishes that the turbidity of drinking water should not be
more 5 NTU and should be ideally below 1 NTU

Apparatus
Turbidimeter
Sample cell
30ml of the water sample
Formazin
Cell riser
Light Shield

F16/2604/2011
 Method

The turbidimeter was allowed to warm up for approximately 110 minutes. 30ml of the water
sample was then pipetted into a clean sample cell and the sample compared with the given
standards. The standard with a value of turbidity closest to, but higher than the water sample was
chosen. The standard chosen (FTU) was found to be in the range of 0 100 FTU, thus a cell riser
was inserted into the cell holder assembly.

The standard was then inserted into the cell holder and the instrument standardized while taking
care to use the light shield. This was followed by removing the standard and replacing it with the
sample also taking care to use the light shield. The turbidity is then read in Formazin Turbidity
Units (FTU) using the correct range.

Result

Conclusion

The turbidity of the sample was recorded as 60 FTU which is considerably higher than the WHO
recommended limit of 5 FTU. The water is therefore not suitable for consumption aesthetically.

F16/2604/2011