1.

Question 1
A. Briefly, differentiate between qualitative analysis and quantitative
analysis. Answer by giving one real example for each type of
analysis.
B. What is gravimetric analysis? How is it related to volumetric analysis?
Give common examples for such analysis.

The essential measurement involved in gravimetric methods is

weighing with an analytical balance. Gravimetric methods are
rarely used in environmental contaminant analysis because
their concentrations are often low in the range of minor to trace
level. Gravimetric methods are used only for a few parameters
such as solids, moisture sulfate, and oil and grease. Volumetric
(i.e., titrimetric) analysis, on the contrary, still finds wide
applications for the measurement of a variety of important
parameters.

Although

titrations

may

be

performed

automatically with an autotitrator (mostly electrochemically

based instrument), the simplicity of the buret-based manual
titration points to many applications employed in environmental
analysis.

C. What is the most common component of environment that will be

analyzed when you are assigned to do environmental quality analysis?

D. Compare the use of ppm and mg/L for concentration unit

when you are reporting your analysis results.

Most water and wastewater test results will be reported in either

milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). The good
news is these two units are equal and thus are interchangeable.
mg/L is used for chemicals in liquid samples (water, blood, or
urine), the mass/volume (m/v) unit .Depending on the numerical
value, the concentration is expressed as mg/L, mg/L, or ng/L.
However, ppm is used as an equivalent unit for both chemicals
in solid samples mg/L and chemicals in liquid samples mg/kg

1 mg/L = 1 ppm
1 mg/kg = 1 ppm

1 g/L = 1 ppb 1 ng/L= 1 ppt

1 mg/kg = 1 ppb
1 ng/kg = 1 ppt

E. Compare the principle method for determining BOD and COD? Their
different and similarities.

2. Question 2:
A. Compare the principle method for determining BOD and COD?
Their different and similarities.
BOD

COD

1. To ensure proper biological activity during the BOD

COD

test, a wastewater sample:

a. Must be free of chlorine. If chlorine is present in the

or

Chemical

Demand

is

Oxygen

the

total

sample, a

measurement of all chemicals in

dechlorination chemical (e.g, sodium sulfite) must be

the water that can be oxidized

added prior to
testing.

BOD-

b. Needs to be in the pH range of 6.5 - 7.5 S.U. If the

Demand is supposed to measure

sample is outside this range, then acid or base must be

the amount of food (or organic

added as needed.
c. Needs to have an existing adequate microbiological

carbons)

population. If the microbial population is inadequate or

oxidize.

unknown, a seed solution of bacteria is added along

with an essential nutrient buffer solution that ensures

Biochemical

that

Oxygen

bacteria

can

2. COD is usually measured and

bacteria population vitality.

the test is simple and easy to

2. Specialized 300 mL BOD bottles designed to

perform

allow full filling with no air space and provide an

airtight seal are used. The bottles are filled with the

with

the

right

equipment and can be done in 2

sample to be tested or dilution (distilled or deionized)

hours. BOD usually takes 5 days

water and various amounts of the wastewater sample

3. Permissible limit of COD =250

are added to reflect different dilutions. At least one

bottle is filled only with dilution water as a control or

to

blank.

Permissible limit for BOD = 30

3. A DO meter is used to measure the initial

dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L) in each bottle,
which should be a least 8.0 mg/L. Each bottle in then
placed into a dark incubator at 20C for five days.
4. After five days ( 3 hours) the DO meter is used
again to measure a
final dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L), which
ideally will be a
reduction of at least 4.0 mg/L.
5. The final DO reading is then subtracted from the
initial DO reading and the result is the BOD
concentration (mg/L). If the wastewater sample required
dilution, the BOD concentration reading is multiplied by
the dilution factor.

mg/L

500

ppm

B. What is the theoretical COD of water sample containing

200 g/L glucose C6H12O6. Assuming C=12; H=1 and O=16
for

their

atomic

mass

respectively,

determine

the

theoretical COD as mg/L.

Molecular weight of C6H12O6 = 12*6 + 1*12+ 16*6 = 180 g/ mole L
theroritical COD = 6*32 g/Mole O2 * (0.2 g/l) / 180 (g/mole glucose) =
213 mg/L
C. A wastewater sample was incubated for seven days at 20 oC and
showed
BOD concentration of 200 mg/L. Assume k is 0.15 per day,
Calculate: BOD 3,5, and 20?

Lt = Lo (1-e-kt) Given L7 = 200 Lo=? k20 = 0.15 day -1

200 = Lo(1-e-.16*7) or 200 = Lo*0.6501 then
Lo = 307.6 mg/L = BODu
I.
BOD 3 = 307.6(1-e-.16*3)
II.
BOD5 = 307.6(1-e-.16*5)
III. BODu = 307.6(1-e-.16*20)
3. Question 3:
A. Why some natural color in water are not considered to possess harmful
or toxic properties?

B. Question 4
C.