Title

The effects of rising pH on clamshells measured by the mass of calcium carbonate through

back-titration

Research Question:

Does the change in pH with the range of pH1, pH3, pH5, and pH7 have an effect on clamshells

measured by the amount of calcium carbonate using titration?

Introduction

We all know that as additional carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion increases, ice

glaciers begin to melt, sea levels rise, droughts kill crops and weather becomes unpredictable. But

what people don’t know is that increasing carbon dioxide levels could harm the ocean as well. The

ocean absorbs about one-third of the carbon dioxide carbon-dioxide produced by the burning of

fossil fuels. Many researchers have predicted that global warming will affect marine life. This

includes shellfish and corals as their shells slowly dissolve as the ocean becomes more acidic. Last

year, I went to Manado, a city in the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi, for a class trip. There, I

went scuba diving for the first time. I was expecting a beautiful view of the colorful marine life but all

I saw was dead coral with some fish. I believe that marine life plays a really significant role in our

lives; from our safety to our enjoyment. With this experiment, I want to prove how the acidity of our

ocean can really affect marine life in the long term. I am going to use clamshells because studies

show that clams decrease in size as the concentration of CO​2 increases.

​
The main component of most shells is calcium carbonate (CaCO​3​). The analysis of the presence of

calcium carbonate is done volumetrically by reacting the calcium in CaCO​3 with acid and is shown in

by following reaction:

2HCl(aq) + CaCO3​ (s)

​ → CaCl2​ ​(aq) + CO​2​(g) + H2​ ​O(l) + HCl(aq)

This reaction, however, should not be used directly to titrate the CaCO​3 due to its very slow

process near the reaction’s endpoint. It is more efficient to dissolve the CaCO​3 in excess

hydrochloric acid (HCl) and titrate the remaining HCl with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to determine

the amount of acid which did not react with CaCO​3​. The difference between the number of moles of

the HCl initially added and the moles of remaining HCl unreacted after the reaction is equal to the

moles of HCl that dissolved the CaCO​3​. Shown through the following reaction:

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2​ ​O(l)

The HCl in this experiment will represent the ocean’s increasing acidity and the clamshells will

represent the endangered corals and shellfish in the ocean. For each trial, each clamshell has to be

divided into 4 equal parts because different clamshells may have different amounts of CaCO​3​.

Variables

Type of Variable How variable is changed, measured or

Variable controlled

IV pH level of HCl Using different concentrations of pH of HCl (pH1,

pH3, pH5 and pH7). Having a range of pH will
make it better for analyzing and will provide a
better illustration to how the shells are affected.

DV Amount of Stoichiometric calculations from the amount of

CaCO​3 ​left NaOH used during titration will be done to find the
(mass) amount of mol of CaCO​3​. The amount measured
in mol is a better than in mass because the
 change in mass is too small. The greater the
amount of CaCO​3 ​left, indicates that the shell did
not dissolve as much.

Type of shell Different types of shells have different contents of

Controlled CaCO​3​. By buying the same type of shell, the
CaCO​3​ contents will be similar. The shells used
belong to manila clams.

Controlled Concentration After being crushed, the shells will be put into
of HCl used to another beaker filled with 1.0M HCl where the
completely shells will completely dissolve.
dissolve the
crushed shells.

Controlled Time taken for The shells will be given 2 days to sit and dissolve.
the shells to
dissolve in the
different pH
levels of HCl.

Controlled Concentration I kept the concentration of NaOH the same by

of NaOH requesting and using 0.100 mol dm​-3​ of NaOH for
every trial.

Controlled Volume of Volume of excess distilled water was maintained

distilled water by making up the reaction contents to 100.00 cm​3
with distilled water.

Controlled Mass of shell In this experiment, one trial has to be done with
after being the same shell because different shell, even if its
divided into 4 the same species, have different amounts CaCO​3​.
parts Therefore after the shell has been divided, the
mass should be the same. 1 gram is used in this
experiment.

Method

1. Break 2 clam shells into 4 equal parts and make sure they have each have equal masses

using an electronic scale. (1 gram is used)

2. Add 50cm​3 ​ 0.1M (pH 1) of HCl into a 100cm​3​ beaker and then add one of the 4 shell parts.
3. Let the shell sit there for 2 days. (cover the top of the beaker to reduce evaporation of HCl)

4. After 2 days, take the shells out and rinse them using water.

5. Crush the shells individually until very fine particles (do not mix) and add them to a 125cm​3

conical flask filled with 20.00cm​3 ​of 1.00 mol dm​-3​ HCl each using a 25cm​3​ graduated cylinder.

6. Heat the flask until 50ºC and stir vigorously until the shells have completely dissolved.

7. Add distilled water until the solution reaches 100.00cm​3​.

8. Add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator.

9. Add NaOH to a cleaned burette and record initial volume of NaOH.

10. Add small amounts of NaOH into the HCl solution while shaking the HCl solution.

11. When reaching the endpoint (indicated by a very faint pink color change),check the final

volume of NaOH left in the burette.

12. Repeat steps 1-11 with pH 3, pH 5 and pH 7 (to be provided by the school laboratory or

bought from a local chemical store) . (With each pH, do 5 more trials).

Equipment & Chemicals

Equipment Uncertainty Equipment Uncertainty

25 mL Graduated Cylinder ± 0.02 mL 125 cm​3​ Conical flask ± 0.1 cm​3

Digital weighing scale ± 0.01 g Burette ± 0.05 mL

Clam shells x16 -- 0.10M NaOH --

1M HCl -- Distilled Water --

 Safety, Ethical or
Environmental Issue
Hydrochloric Acid, HCl
Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH
Phenolphthalein
Qualitative Data
Effervescence and frothing were detected when HCl was added to the clam shells. The color
change from colorless to pink of acid during the titration was also noted since the phenolphthalein
indicator turns colorless in acidic solutions and pink in alkaline solutions.
Explanation of how that
issue is relevant to your
investigation and how
significant it is
HCl is corrosive and, if very
concentrated, release acidic
vapour. If it comes into contact
with eyes, skin, or if inhaled,
the damage may become
permanent.
HCl has the ability to corrode
metallic surfaces
NaOH is highly corrosive and If
it comes into contact with eyes,
skin, or if inhaled, the damage
may become permanent.
NaOH is highly corrosive and,
if very concentrated, reacts
violently with water and can
release flammable hydrogen
when in contact with some
metals.
Phenolphthalein is an irritant
Description of how you will
deal with that issue
Always use gloves, a
disposable laboratory safety
mask, safety goggles and a lab
coat. If contact is made, seek
medical help.
Dispose the HCl into a waste
container. Equipments used to
handle HCl should be rinsed
using distilled water when
finished.
Always use gloves, a
disposable laboratory safety
mask, safety goggles and a lab
coat. If contact is made, rinse
with water immediately and
seek medical help
Dispose the HCl into a waste
container.
If contact is made, rinse with
water immediately and seek
medical help.
Quantitative Data
Average Total
Initial vol of Final vol of Total volume
Trial pH Volume
NaOH/cm​3 NaOH/cm​3 used/cm​3
used/cm​3
1 1.00 15.30 23.61 8.31
2 1.00 21.50 33.10 11.60
3 1.00 16.40 25.13 8.73 9.72
4 1.00 14.40 24.06 9.66
5 1.00 16.10 26.40 10.30

Average Total
Initial vol of Final vol of Total volume
Trial pH Volume
NaOH/cm​3 NaOH/cm​3 used/cm​3
used/cm​3
1 3.00 11.50 16.27 4.77
2 3.00 13.80 18.92 5.12
3 3.00 13.50 18.97 5.47 5.26
4 3.00 12.70 18.66 5.96
5 3.00 17.20 22.20 5.00

Average Total
Initial vol of Final vol of Total volume
Trial pH Volume
NaOH/cm​3 NaOH/cm​3 used/cm​3
used/cm​3
1 5.00 15.60 19.74 4.14
2 5.00 17.30 22.09 4.79
3 5.00 16.80 21.99 5.19 4.68
4 5.00 13.90 19.10 5.20
5 5.00 13.50 17.60 4.10

Average Total
Initial vol of Final vol of Total volume
Trial pH Volume
NaOH/cm​3 NaOH/cm​3 used/cm​3
used/cm​3
1 7.00 16.60 16.90 0.30
2 7.00 14.50 14.80 0.30
3 7.00 17.10 17.60 0.50 0.35
4 7.00 15.50 15.90 0.40
5 7.00 13.00 13.25 0.25
Data processing

Average volume of NaOH used: 9.72cm​3

For pH1

Data processing Error propagation

No. of mol. of HCl present initially in 0.5/20.0 X100 = 2.5 % uncertainty from vol
20.00 cm​3 of 1.00 mol dm​-3 HCl(aq) of HCl = 2.5%
20.00/1000 X 1.00 mol dm​-3 = 0.0200 % uncertainty of no. of mol. Of HCl = 2.5%
mol 2.5/100 X 0.02 = 0.0005 mol
Amount of NaOH(in mol)present in the
volume of 0.100 mol dm​-3 NaOH(aq)
used for the titration. average amount of 0.05/9.72 X 100 = 0.5 %
NaOH used = 9.72 uncertainty from volume of NaOH = 0.5%
9.72 / 1000 = 0.00972 dm​3 0.100 mol % uncertainty of no. of mol needed for
dm​-3​ X0.00972 dm​3​ = 0.000972 mol NaOH = 0.01%
Amount(in mol)of unreacted HCl(aq) % uncertainty from volume of NaOH =
present in the 10.00 cm​3 sample. 0.5%
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + % uncertainty of no. of mol needed for
H​2​O(l) NaOH = 0.5% = % uncertainty of unreacted
HCl mol = NaOH mol → 0.000972 mol HCl
% uncertainty from the 125.00cm​3 conical
Amount(in mol)of unreacted HCl(aq) flask = 0.10/125.0 X 100 = 0.08%
present in the 100 cm​3 solution. uncertainty from the 25 cm​3 graduated
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + cylinder = 0.02/25 X 100 = 0.08%
H​2​O(l) % uncertainty for this step = 0.5% +0.08%
HCl mol = NaOH mol (same coefficient) + 0.08% = 0.66%
→ 0.000972 mol 0.66/100 X 0.000972 = 0.0000064152 mol
Amount (in mol) of HCl(aq) that reacted
with the shell. 0.02 - 0.000972 mol = Absolute uncertainty of mol. = 0.0005 +
0.019028 mol 0.0000064152 =0.00049358 mol
2HCl + CaCO​3​ → CaCl​2​ + CO​2​ + H​2​O
Amount (in mol) of CaCO​3 present in % uncertainty from no. of mol of CaCO​3
the shell. present in the shell = 0.00049358/
0.019028 mol / 2 = 0.009514 mol 0.009514 X100 % = 5.19%
Mass of CaCO​3 left in the shell after % uncertainty from the mass of CaCO​3 left
sitting in HCl for 2 days in the shell after sitting 2 days = 5.29 %
0.009514 mol X 100 = 0.9514g 5.29/100 X 0.9514 = 0.050 g
 % uncertainty of shell = 0.01/1 X100% =
1.00%
% uncertainty of the % by mass of CaCO​3
Mass of CaCO​3 dissolved in HCl 1M dissolved in HCl = 5.19% + 1.00% = 6.19 =
solution = 1g - 0.9514g = 0.0486g 6% (1sf)

The graph above illustrates the average total volume of NaOH used to neutralize the remaining HCl.

Using the =STDEV function, the standard deviations of the average total volume values for pH 1, 3,

5 and 7 respectively are 1.3079, 0.4640, 0.5410, and 0.1000 which show that the values are close

to the mean
Conclusion and Justification by Data

The percentage uncertainty came out to be 6% which is still relatively low and that the results of the

experiment is still significant, and from the percentage uncertainty, we can conclude that we have

more random errors present in the experiment than systematic errors. One possible source of error

could be the inaccuracy of relying on the color change of phenolphthalein to determine the

equilibrium or equivalence point because we color is not measurable and can be subjective. The

quantitative results obtained above is shown to have very low standard deviation values, also

supported by multiple trials, which shows that the results are most likely not due to chance and are

close to each other. This also shows that the positive correlation between pH and the dissolution of

calcium carbonate is strong and ,therefore, reliable.

Conclusion and Justification by Scientific Context

Based on the results, it is fair to say that there is a positive relationship between pH and the

dissolution of calcium carbonate in shells. This is indirectly seen from the amount of NaOH used in
the trial using pH 1 and the one using pH 7. Since more of the shell dissolved in the pH 1 HCl

solution, there is more HCl left for the NaOH to react with it. As mentioned in the background,

calcium carbonate is insoluble in water. If water was used to dissolve the calcium carbonate, the

added acid would have been over the required. Which is why back titration is used. The excess HCl

from the dissolution of the clam shells is titrated with NaOH until enough OH– in the NaOH has

been added to completely react with the excess H+ in the HCl. Therefore, part of the added acid is

neutralized by the calcium carbonate in the clam shells and the rest of the HCl is neutralized by the

NaOH added. When the reaction stops, the equivalence point is met which is when the H+ and OH-

has reacted. From my results, the percentage mass that is dissolved in HCl for 2 days is very small.

This shows that even with a low pH, the clams won’t be as harmed. However, when talking about

long periods of time, the slight change in mass would drastically change the clam shell population.

Evaluation

Strengths of Method Explanation

Divide clam shell into 4 equal parts (each part
is 1 gram)
Because different shells have different
compositions of CaCO​3​, using the same shell
ensures that each pH trial achieves precise
results. If different shells were used the initial
mass of CaCO​3​ reacting with HCl would not
match followed by a greater spread of data.

5 trials Multiple trials reduce the effect of random error

of the experiment. It also reduces the effect of
outliers.

Weakness and significance Explanation of the effect on Improvement for weakness

experimental results

Using color change from End point can be slightly Using a color sensor in the
indicator to determine end
point in acid/base reaction.
higher than it actually is due to solution to indicate when the
reaction time. When waiting for color has actually changed.
color change, the color of the
solution has to be very pale. A
vibrant color indicates that
there is more of the NaOH
than the required amount.

Impurities that could have
reacted with HCl during
reaction with CaCO​3
This would increase the
presence of products from
other reactions other than
CaCO​3​ thus giving inaccurate
results on the mass CaCO​3​.
Before conducting the
experiment, rinse the clams
and laboratory equipment
thoroughly with water.

The CaCO​3​ may not have
completely dissolved in the
HCl solution
If not all the CaCO​3​ is
dissolved, the HCl would have
only reacted with some of the
,therefore, the calculated mass
of CaCO​3​ would be inaccurate.
Using a fine sieve would
ensure that the particles of the
clam shells are equally small.
Work cited:
- Palma, Claire E. 1,2*, Mamon, Shieselle Jane B. 1, Rubin, Khristine Natalie D. 1,
Lauron, Jennica Marie B. 1, Layawon, Gretchin I. 1, Jumayao, Sabrina Kaye G. 1,
Lumauag, Perry Emmanuel E. 1, Rodrigo, Stella Marie D. 1, Campos, Jeremay P.1,
and Bandiola. A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN THE CALCIUM CONTENT OF THE
SHELLS OF OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA ECHINATA), GREEN SHELL (PERNA
VIRIDIS), CAPIZ SHELL (PLACUNA PLACENTA), AND NYLON SHELL (CALLISTA
ERYCINA) FROM PANAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES. 2017.
- University of California. Determination of the Amount of Acid Neutralized by an Antacid
Tablet Using Back Titration. 2011.
- “Ocean Acidification.” SpringerReference, doi:10.1007/springerreference_310777.