Determination of PH and Do

DETERMINATION OF pH AND DO
1. Introduction
pH is a unit of measure which describes the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a

solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. The term pH is derived from “p,” the
mathematical symbol for negative logarithm, and “H,” the chemical symbol for Hydrogen.
The formal definition of pH is: the negative logarithm of Hydrogen ion activity. ( pH = -
log[H+] ).
Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to microscopic bubbles of gaseous oxygen (O2) that
are mixed in water and available to aquatic organisms for respiration which is a critical
process for almost all organisms. Primary sources of DO include the atmosphere and aquatic
plants. Surface waters, which are in contact with the atmosphere, absorb oxygen from the air
and aquatic plants release oxygen into the water as a product of photosynthesis.
2. Objective
i. To measure the acidity of a solution.

ii. To find out the dissolved oxygen content in a sample of water.
3. Apparatus
Apparatus Description
pH meter/DO meter
Beaker
Water sample
Distilled water
4. Procedure
Procedure Description
The electrode tip was washed using distilled water.
The electrode tip was submerged into the water

sample.
The electrode tip was taken out after the pH

reading/DO reading has been displayed in the pH
meter/DO meter.
 The steps were repeated three times to obtain three readings.

5. Result
pH results
Sample Readings
1 6.37
2 6.41
3 6.42
Average 6.40
DO results
Sample Readings (mg/h)

1 8.49
2 8.40
3 8.36
Average 8.42
6. Discussion
The pH value of a substance is directly related to the ratio of hydrogen ion

[H+] and hydroxyl ion [OH-] concentrations. If the H+ concentration is greater than
the OH-, the material is acidic; i.e., the pH value is less than 7. If the OH
concentration is greater than its H+, the material is basic, with a pH value greater than
7. If equal numbers of H+ and OH ions are present, the material is neutral, with a pH
of 7 as shown in table below.
As for DO, it is typically measured as a concentration of milligrams of DO per

litre of water (mg/L). This quantity is equal to the measure of parts DO per million
parts water (ppm). For example, 5 milligrams of DO per litre of water is equal to 5
parts DO per million parts water (that is, 5 mg/L = 5 ppm). Waters with a DO
concentration of 0 mg/L are considered anoxic and do not support aquatic life.
Estuarine and marine waters with a DO concentration above 0 mg/L, but below 2.8
mg/L, are considered hypoxic and frequently cause adverse biological effects. Typical
DO concentrations at SCORE restoration sites range from 4 mg/L to 8 mg/L, which
are safely above the hypoxic range.
From our result, the pH reading obtained was 6.40 which indicated low acidity
content and the results obtain from the sample is 8.42 mg/h which is above 8mg/h and
not in the hypoxic range for DO. When DO concentration is too low, organism cannot
grow, feed or reproduce properly. Estuarine communities also become unhealthy and
less biologically diverse. Based on National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia
and DOE Water Quality Index Classification, the water is in between class I and class
IIA. According to water classes and uses for class I and IIA are:
CLASS USES
Class I Conservation of natural environment.
Water Supply 1 – Practically no treatment necessary.
Fishery 1 – Very sensitive aquatic species.
Class IIA Water Supply II – Conventional treatment required.
Fishery II – Sensitive aquatic species
7. Conclusion
As a conclusion, the results obtained shows that the pH and the DO content in
the sample are within typical range which is not too acidic and DO content is not too
high. Even though, the pH of the water sample is still in the acidity zone, it is
considered safe as it is not too acidic and nearly approach neutral zone. The situation
is same for the DO content of the water sample. Although it has a value that above the
range which is 4mg/h to 8mg/h and not included in the hypoxic range, it is still
considered safe because the lower the DO, the greater the stress for the aquatic life.

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DETERMINATION OF pH AND DO

pH is a unit of measure which describes the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a

i. To measure the acidity of a solution.

The electrode tip was washed using distilled water.

The electrode tip was submerged into the water

The electrode tip was taken out after the pH

 The steps were repeated three times to obtain three readings.

Sample Readings (mg/h)

The pH value of a substance is directly related to the ratio of hydrogen ion

As for DO, it is typically measured as a concentration of milligrams of DO per

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