Determination of water hardness by EDTA titration

Theory:
Water hardness may be defined as the content of dissolved magnesium, calcium salts and also
several other elements from the Mendeleev periodic table. E.g., these can be iron and manganese
salts but the content of the latter in water is, as a rule, less by one order as compared to calcium
and magnesium salt content, therefore, when we speak of total water hardness, we have in mind
just the content of calcium and magnesium salts dissolved in water. Total hardness includes
temporary and permanent hardness which are also called sometimes carbonate and noncarbonate
hardness, respectively. Temporary (carbonate) hardness: It is designated as KH. It depends
directly on the content of magnesium and calcium hydrocarbonates and carbonates in water.
Carbonate hardness is called temporary because it can be removed by boiling the water. When
water is boiled, these salts precipitate and form limescale.
In the experiment, EDTA will first be made and then standardized. This will be done by
preparing a calcium chloride solution. In the reaction with the EDTA, calcium carbonate is
converted to calcium chloride. Ammonia-ammonium chloride will also be prepared to be used as
a buffer in the solution. The professor prepared the Erichrome black T to be used as an indicator.
This indicator will be cause the solution to be red at the before the titration and then at the
endpoint, the solution will turn blue. Make sure it is blue and not purple. After the
standardization of EDTA, the calcium content in an unknown water sample will be found. This
will be done with same way as the first titration occurred. The hardness will then be calculated in
parts per million.

Carbonate hardness determines water buffer properties, therefore, it prevents significant

fluctuations of water pH value. This hardness type determines its suitability for the use in
everyday life since formation of limescale on the sanitary equipment and water heating elements
of domestic appliances may easily disable them. Permanent hardness (noncarbonate hardness): It
is designated as GH. It is associated with the quantitative content of chlorides, sulfates and
several other magnesium and calcium salts in water. When water is boiled, such salts will not
precipitate. Just this hardness type determines the degree of water suitability for the purposes of
drinking and cooking, because it is impossible to remove it by boiling and, consequently, all
calcium and magnesium salts causing this hardness type will enter the human organism. Calcium
and magnesium are very important macroelements required for the normal functioning of the
human organism, but too much for a good thing is good for nothing, and consumption of water
with the excessive calcium and magnesium salt content for a long time may result in the
development of urolithiasis. This parameter can be lowered by using the technology, i.e.
softening. You can manage successfully excessive hardness with the help of a filter using the
technology for water softening, which will allow to bring the water quality by this parameter to
an acceptable level.

Material required chemicals:

Pipette, burette, funnel, beaker, flask, stand, filter paper and sucker.To perform titration we will
need titrant - 0.01 M EDTA solution and ammonia pH 10.0 buffer. We will also need indicator -
either in the form of solution (0.5% EBT) , NaOH solution.

Reaction:

Reactions taking place during titration are

Ca2+ + EDTA4- CaEDTA2-, Mg2+ + EDTA4- MgEDTA2-

Procedure:

Transfer exactly 50 mL of water to 250 mL Erlenmayer flask.

Acidify the solution with hydrochloric acid.
Bring to boil, cool down.
Alkalize with ammonia.
Filter solution through filter paper.
Add 1 ml of pH 10 ammonia buffer.
Add 3 drops of Eriochrome Black T solution or pinch of Eriochrome Black T ground
with NaCl.
Titrate with 0.01M EDTA solution till color changes from violet to blue.
Observations and calculations:
Serial no Initial volume Final volume Total volume
used(mL)
1 0 8.24 8.24
2 8.24 16.66 8.45

Mean: 8.24+ 8.45/2 = 8.34mL

EDTA Sample (total hardness)

M1 V1 = M2 V2
M1 V1/ V2 = M2
0.01 8.34/10 = M2
0.00834M = M2
Strength:
 = Molarity Molar wt
= 0.0083440
= 0.3336
For Ca- hardness:
Serial no Initial volume Final volume Total
(mL) (mL) volume(mL)

1 0 3.5 3.5
2 3.5 7 3.5
Mean= 3.5+3.5/2
= 3.5 mL

Formula

3.5 0.0250100

Discussion:

The water sample is buffered by 10.1 pH taken into a conical flask. If an indicator dye EBT
when added to the solution containing Ca& Mg ions , the color turns to wine red. EDTA a titrant
complexes with Ca &Mg removing then from association with indicator. When all Ca &Mg
complex with EDTA, the indicator turns blue and this is end point of the titration. Hardness
determine on the bases of chelation. Non carbonating hardness cant be removed by boiling but
by the help of chemicals as complexing agent.