EXPERIMENT 6

HARDNESS

V. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 5.1. Volume of EDTA used

TOTAL HARDNESS PERMANENT HARDNESS

Volume of EDTA used, mL Volume of EDTA used, mL
Trial 1 6.5 6.4
Trial 2 6.4 6.5
Trial 3 6.5 6.1

𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
Table 5.2. Milligram as CaCO3 , 𝑎𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3of Total and Permanent Hardness
𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟

TOTAL TOTAL PERMANENT PERMANENT

HARDNESS, HARDNESS, HARDNESS, HARDNESS,
𝑚𝑔 𝑚𝑔
mg as CaCO3 𝑎𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 mg as CaCO3 𝑎𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3
𝐿 𝐿
Trial 1 0.77 100.1 0.78 99.84
Trial 2 0.78 99.84 0.77 100.1
Trial 3 0.77 100.1 0.82 100.04
AVERAGE 100.0133 99.9933

𝑚𝑔
Non-permanent Hardness 0.02 𝑎𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3
𝐿

Hardness is originally taken to be the capacity of water to destroy the lather of soap;
hardness was determined formerly by titration with EDTA solution. Nowadays, the analysis
comprises the determination of calcium and magnesium which are the main constituents of
hardness. Although barium, strontium and iron can also contribute to hardness, their
concentrations are normally so low in this context that they can be ignored. Thus, total hardness
is taken to comprise the calcium and magnesium concentrations expressed as mg/L CaCO3. The
widespread abundance of these metals in rock formations leads often to very considerable
hardness levels in surface and ground waters.

The following is one of several such arbitrary classifications of waters by hardness: Soft
up to 50 mg/L CaCO3; Moderately Soft 51-100 mg/L CaCO3; Slightly Hard 101 - 150 mg/L;
Moderately Hard 151-250 mg/L CaCO3; Hard 251-350 mg/L CaCO3; Excessively Hard over 350
mg/L CaCO3.

The data shows that the mg/L as CaCO3 of total hardness is 100.0133 mg/L CaCO3 and it
is significantly low, according to the arbitrary classifications of water by hardness the water
sample from the Balili River is moderately soft. The hardness contributed by permanent hardness
is 99.9933 mg/L as CaCO3 and it appears that the water sample is moderately soft. Thus, the
non-permanent hardness which is hardness due to the solution of calcium chloride or magnesium
sulphate and also the difference of total hardness to permanent hardness shows 0.2 mg/L as
CaCO3.

VI. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Water hardness is caused by the polyvalent metallic ions dissolved in water. In fresh
water these are primarily calcium and magnesium although other metals such as iron, strontium
and manganese contribute to the extent that appreciable concentration of calcium carbonate
(CaCO3). The concept of hardness comes from water supply practice. It is measured by soap
requirements for adequate lather formation and as an indicator of the rate of scale formation in
hot water heaters and low pressure boilers.

Natural sources of hardness principally are limestones which are dissolved by percolating
rainwater made acid dissolved carbon dioxide. Industrial and industrially related sources include
the inorganic chemical industry and discharges from operating and abandoned mines.

The result of the experiment of the water sample from Balili River is interpreted as
moderately soft and it is contributed by permanent and non-permanent hardness because
hardness is a natural characteristic of water which can enhance its palatability and consumer
acceptability for drinking purposes also hardness in fresh water frequently is distinguished in
carbonate and non-carbonate fractions. The carbonate fraction is chemically equivalent to the
bicarbonates present in water. Since bicarbonates generally are measured as alkalinity, the
carbonate hardness usually is considered equal to the alkalinity.

As has been pointed out earlier hardness levels have a bearing on the toxicity of some
metals. In general, these toxic effects are markedly less in waters with a significant degree of
hardness. The chief disadvantages of hard waters are that they neutralize the lathering power of
soap (though not modern detergent formulations) and, more important, that they can cause
blockage of pipes and severely reduced boiler efficiency because of scale formation. These
effects will increase as the hardness rises to and beyond 200 mg/L CaCO3.