Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water - a review

Abstract

People on globe are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil. Due to increased human
population, industrialization, use of fertilizers and man-made activity water is highly polluted
with different harmful contaminants. Natural water contaminates due to weathering of rocks
and leaching of soils, mining processing etc. It is necessary that the quality of drinking water
should be checked at regular time interval, because due to use of contaminated drinking water,
human population suffers from varied of water borne diseases. The availability of good
quality water is an indispensable feature for preventing diseases and improving quality of life.
It is necessary to know details about different physico-chemical parameters such as color,
temperature, acidity, hardness, pH, sulphate, chloride, DO, BOD, COD, alkalinity used for
testing of water quality. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Fe, Hg etc. are of special concern
because they produce water or chronic poisoning in aquatic animals. Some water analysis
reports with physic-chemical parameters have been given for the exploring parameter study.
Guidelines of different physic-chemical parameters also have been given for comparing the
value of real water sample.
Keyword: Water, Physico - chemical, Parameters, Hardness, BOD, Heavy metals.

Full text

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 3, No 3, 2012
© Copyright by the authors - Licensee IPA- Under Creative Commons license 3.0
Review article ISSN 0976 – 4402
Received on October 2012 Published on November 2012 1194
Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
Department of Engineering Chemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Near
Chitranagari, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416013 (INDIA)
pnpatil_chem@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
People on globe are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil. Due to increased human
population, industrialization, use of fertilizers and man-made activity water is highly polluted
with different harmful contaminants. Natural water contaminates due to weathering of rocks
and leaching of soils, mining processing etc. It is necessary that the quality of drinking water
should be checked at regular time interval, because due to use of contaminated drinking water,
human population suffers from varied of water borne diseases. The availability of good
quality water is an indispensable feature for preventing diseases and improving quality of life.
It is necessary to know details about different physico-chemical parameters such as color,
temperature, acidity, hardness, pH, sulphate, chloride, DO, BOD, COD, alkalinity used for
testing of water quality. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Fe, Hg etc. are of special concern
because they produce water or chronic poisoning in aquatic animals. Some water analysis
reports with physic-chemical parameters have been given for the exploring parameter study.
Guidelines of different physic-chemical parameters also have been given for comparing the
value of real water sample.
Keyword: Water, Physico - chemical, Parameters, Hardness, BOD, Heavy metals.
1. Introduction
Water is one of the most important and abundant compounds of the ecosystem. All living
organisms on the earth need water for their survival and growth. As of now only earth is the
planet having about 70 % of water. But due to increased human population, industrialization,
use of fertilizers in the agriculture and man-made activity it is highly polluted with different
harmful contaminants. Therefore it is necessary that the quality of drinking water should be
checked at regular time interval, because due to use of contaminated drinking water, human
population suffers from varied of water borne diseases. It is difficult to understand the
biological phenomenon fully because the chemistry of water revels much about the
metabolism of the ecosystem and explain the general hydro - biological relationship
(Basavaraja Simpi et al. 2011).
The availability of good quality water is an indispensable feature for preventing diseases and
improving quality of life. Natural water contains different types of impurities are introduced
in to aquatic system by different ways such as weathering of rocks and leaching of soils,
dissolution of aerosol particles from the atmosphere and from several human activities,
including mining, processing and the use of metal based materials (Ipinmoroti and Oshodi
1993, Adeyeye 1994, Asaolu 1997). The increased use of metal-based fertilizer in agricultural
revolution of the government could result in continued rise in concentration of metal
pollutions in fresh water reservoir due to the water run-off. Also faucal pollution of drinking

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1195
water causes water born disease which has led to the death of millions of people. ( Adefemi
and Awokunmi, 2010).
People on globe are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil. These are related to animal and
plants and finally affecting on it (Misra and Dinesh 1991). Industrial development (Either
new or existing industry expansion) results in the generation of industrial effluents, and if
untreated results in water, sediment and soil pollution (Fakayode and Onianwa 2002,
Fakayode 2005).
Having mainly excessive amounts of heavy metals such as Pb, Cr and Fe, as well as heavy
metals from industrial processes are of special concern because they produce water or chronic
poisoning in aquatic animals (Ellis 1989). High levels of pollutants mainly organic matter in
river water cause an increase in biological oxygen demand (Kulkarni 1997), chemical oxygen
demand, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and fecal coli form. They make water
unsuitable for drinking, irrigation or any other use (Hari 1994).
There are trends in developing countries to use sewage effluent as fertilizer has gained much
importance as it is considered a source of organic matter and plant nutrients and serves as
good fertilizer (Riordan 1983). Farmers are mainly interested in general benefits, like
increased agriculture production, low cost water source, effective way of effluent disposal,
source of nutrients, organic matter etc, but are not well aware of its harmful effects like heavy
metal contamination of soils, crops and quality problems related to health. Research has
proven that long term use of this sewage effluent for irrigation contaminates soil and crops to
such an extent that it becomes toxic to plants and causes deterioration of soil (Quinn 1978,
Hemkes1980). This contains considerable amount of potentially harmful substances including
soluble salts and heavy metals like Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+. Additions of these
heavy metals are undesirable. Plants can accumulate heavy metals in their tissues in
concentrations above the permitted levels which is considered to represent a threat to the life
of humans, and animals feeding on these crops and may lead to contamination of food chain,
as observed that soil and plants contained many toxic metals, that received irrigation water
mixed with industrial effluent (Adnan Amin 2010).
The quality of ground water depends on various chemical constituents and their concentration,
which are mostly derived from the geological data of the particular region. Industrial waste
and the municipal solid waste have emerged as one of the leading cause of pollution of
surface and ground water. In many parts of the country available water is rendered non-
potable because of the presence of heavy metal in excess. The situation gets worsened during
the summer season due to water scarcity and rain water discharge. Contamination of water
resources available for household and drinking purposes with heavy elements, metal ions and
harmful microorganisms is one of the serious major health problems. The recent research in
Haryana (India) concluded that it is the high rate of exploration then its recharging,
inappropriate dumping of solid and liquid wastes, lack of strict enforcement of law and loose
governance are the cause of deterioration of ground water quality (Guptaa 2009).
Most of the rivers in the urban areas of the developing countries are the ends of effluents
discharged from the industries. African countries and Asian countries experiencing rapid
industrial growth and this is making environmental conservation a difficult task (Agarwal
Animesh 2011). Sea water contains large number of trace metals in very small concentration.
This is a challenging matrix for the analytical chemist due to the very low concentrations of
many important trace metals (Robertson 1968, Riley).

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
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2. Physico- Chemical Parameters
It is very essential and important to test the water before it is used for drinking, domestic,
agricultural or industrial purpose. Water must be tested with different physic-chemical
parameters. Selection of parameters for testing of water is solely depends upon for what
purpose we going to use that water and what extent we need its quality and purity. Water
does content different types of floating, dissolved, suspended and microbiological as well as
bacteriological impurities. Some physical test should be performed for testing of its physical
appearance such as temperature, color, odour, pH, turbidity, TDS etc, while chemical tests
should be perform for its BOD, COD, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness and other
characters. For obtaining more and more quality and purity water, it should be tested for its
trace metal, heavy metal contents and organic i.e. pesticide residue. It is obvious that drinking
water should pass these entire tests and it should content required amount of mineral level.
Only in the developed countries all these criteria’s are strictly monitored. Due to very low
concentration of heavy metal and organic pesticide impurities present in water it need highly
sophisticated analytical instruments and well trained manpower. Following different physic
chemical parameters are tested regularly for monitoring quality of water.
2.1 Temperature
In an established system the water temperature controls the rate of all chemical reactions, and
affects fish growth, reproduction and immunity. Drastic temperature changes can be fatal to
fish.
2.2 pH
pH is most important in determining the corrosive nature of water. Lower the pH value higher
is the corrosive nature of water. pH was positively correlated with electrical conductance and
total alkalinity(Guptaa 2009). The reduced rate of photosynthetic activity the assimilation of
carbon dioxide and bicarbonates which are ultimately responsible for increase in pH, the low
oxygen values coincided with high temperature during the summer month. Various factors
bring about changes the pH of water. The higher pH values observed suggests that carbon
dioxide, carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium is affected more due to change in physico-
chemical condition (Karanth 1987).
2.3 EC (Electrical Conductivity)
Conductivity shows significant correlation with ten parameters such as temperature , pH
value , alkalinity , total hardness , calcium , total solids, total dissolved solids , chemical
oxygen demand , chloride and iron concentration of water. Navneet Kumar et al (2010)
suggested that the underground drinking water quality of study area can be checked
effectively by controlling conductivity of water and this may also be applied to water quality
management of other study areas. It is measured with the help of EC meter which measures
the resistance offered by the water between two platinized electrodes. The instrument is
standardized with known values of conductance observed with standard KCl solution.
2.4 Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the end product of organic carbon degradation in almost all aquatic
environments and its variation is often a measure of net ecosystem metabolism(Smith 1997,
1993, Hopkinson 1985). Therefore, in aquatic biogeochemical studies, it is desirable to

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1197
measure parameters that define the carbon dioxide system. CO2 is also the most important
green house gas on Earth. Its fluxes across the air-water or sediment-water interface are
among the most important concerns in global change studies and are often a measure of the
net ecosystem production/metabolism of the aquatic system.
There are various readily measurable parameters of aquatic carbon dioxide system: such as
pH (pCO2), total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA). Surface water
pCO2 can be measured by photometric method (DeGrandpre 1993, Wang, Z 2002) and DIC
CO2 is measured by coulometer or by an infrared CO2 analyzer (Dickson 1994). Total
Alkalinity CO2 is determined by HCl titration of the water sample to the CO2 equivalence
point.(Gran 1952).
2.5 Alkalinity
It is Composed primarily of carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), alkalinity acts as a
stabilizer for pH. Alkalinity, pH and hardness affect the toxicity of many substances in the
water. It is determined by simple dil HCl titration in presence of phenolphthalein and methyl
orange indicators. Alkalinity in boiler water essentially results from the presence of hydroxyl
and carbonate ions. Hydroxyl alkalinity (causticity ) in boiler water is necessary to protect the
boiler against corrosion. Too high a causticity causes other operating problems, such as
foaming. Excessively high causticity levels can result in a type of caustic attack of the boiler
called "embrittlement".
2.6 Dissolved Oxygen
DO is one of the most important parameter. Its correlation with water body gives direct and
indirect information e.g. bacterial activity, photosynthesis, availability of nutrients,
stratification etc. (Premlata Vikal, 2009). In the progress of summer, dissolved oxygen
decreased due to increase in temperature and also due to increased microbial activity (Moss
1972, Morrissette 1978, Sangu 1987, Kataria, 1996). The high DO in summer is due to
increase in temperature and duration of bright sunlight has influence on the % of soluble
gases (O² & CO²). During summer the long days and intense sunlight seem to accelerate
photosynthesis by phytoplankton, utilizing CO2 and giving off oxygen. This possibly
accounts for the greater qualities of O2 recorded during summer (Krishnamurthy R, 1990).
DO in sample is measured titrimetrically by Winkler’s method after 5 days incubation at 293
K. The difference in initial and final DO gives the amount of oxygen consumed by the
bacteria during this period. This procedure needs special BOD bottles which seal the inside
environment from atmospheric oxygen.
2.7 Carbonate
Whenever the pH touches 8.3, the presence of carbonates is indicated. It is measured by
titration with standardized hydrochloric acid using phenolphthalein as indicator. Below pH
8.3, the carbonates are converted into equivalent amount of bicarbonates. The titration can
also be done pH metrically or potentiometrically.
2.8 Bicarbonate
It is also measured by titration with standardized hydrochloric acid using methyl orange as
indicator. Methyl orange turns yellow below pH 4.0. At this pH, the carbonic acid
decomposes to give carbon dioxide and water.

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1198
2.9 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
BOD is a measure of organic material contamination in water, specified in mg/L. BOD is the
amount of dissolved oxygen required for the biochemical decomposition of organic
compounds and the oxidation of certain inorganic materials (e.g., iron, sulfites). Typically the
test for BOD is conducted over a five-day period (Milacron Marketing Co.).
2.10 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
COD is another measure of organic material contamination in water specified in mg/L. COD
is the amount of dissolved oxygen required to cause chemical oxidation of the organic
material in water. Both BOD and COD are key indicators of the environmental health of a
surface water supply. They are commonly used in waste water treatment but rarely in general
water treatment. (Milacron Marketing Co.).
2.11 Sulphate
It is measured by nephelometric method in which the concentration of turbidity is measured
against the known concentration of synthetically prepared sulphate solution. Barium chloride
is used for producing turbidity due to barium sulphate and a mixture of organic substance
(Glycerol or Gum acetia) and sodium chloride is used to prevent the settling of turbidity.
2.12 Ammonia (Nitrogen)
It is measured spectroscopically at 425 nm radiation by making a colour complex with
Nessler’s reagent. The conditions of reaction are alkaline and cause severe interference from
hardness in water.
2.13 Calcium
It is measured by complexometric titration with standard solution of ETDA using Patton’s
and Reeder’s indicator under the pH conditions of more than 12.0. These conditions are
achieved by adding a fixed volume of 4N Sodium Hydroxide. The volume of titre (EDTA
solution) against the known volume of sample gives the concentration of calcium in the
sample.
2.14 Magnesium
It is also measured by complexometric titration with standard solution of EDTA using
Eriochrome black T as indicator under the buffer conditions of pH 10.0. The buffer solution
is made from Ammonium Chloride and Ammonium Hydroxide. The solution resists the pH
variations during titration.
2.15 Sodium
It is measured with the help of flame photometer. The instrument is standardized with the
known concentration of sodium ion (1 to 100 mg/litre). The samples having higher
concentration are suitably diluted with distilled water and the dilution factor is applied to the
observed values.
2.16 Potassium

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
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It is also measured with the help of flame photometer. The instrument is standardized with
known concentration of potassium solution, in the range of 1 mg to 5 mg/litre. The sample
having higher concentration is suitably diluted with distilled water and the dilution factor is
applied to the observed values.
2.17 Chloride
It is measured by titrating a known volume of sample with standardized silver nitrate solution
using potassium chromate solution in water or eosin/fluorescein solution in alcohol as
indicator. The latter indicator is an adsorption indicator while the former makes a red colored
compound with silver as soon as the chlorides are precipitated from solution.
2.18 Silicates & Phosphate
These are also measured spectroscopically. Yellow colour is developed from the action of
phosphates and silicates on molybdate ion under strong acidic conditions. The intensity of
colour is directly proportional to the concentration of phosphate and silicates in the sample.
Phosphate complexes are reduced by weak reducing agents such as ascorbic acid or tartaric
acid (potassium antimonyl tartarate) where as silica complexes require strong reducing
conditions of hydrazine or bisulphite. The colour of reduced complex is sky blue.
Most of the physico- chemical parameters are determined by standard methods prescribed by
ASTM (2003) and APHA (1985), Trivedy and Goal (1986), Kodarkar (1992).
3. Some physico chemical analysis study of polluted water sample in India
Physico chemical parameter study is very important to get exact idea about the quality of
water and we can compare results of different physico chemical parameter values with
standard values. Aftab Begum et al.(2005) studied various physico-chemical parameters
and analysis of untreated fertilizer effluent. His result revealed that the parameters like EC,
TDS, TSS, BOD, COD and ammonia are high compared to permissible limits of CPCB
(1995), and fungal analysis showed the presence of 15 species isolated on Malt Extract Agar
(MEA) medium thereby indicating the pollutional load of the effluent. Dey Kallol et
al.(2005) studied various physio-chemical parameters on the samples drawn from the river
Koel, Shankha and Brahmani. It was observed that dilution during rainy season decreases the
metal concentration level to a considerable extent. However the enrichment of these metals
by bio-magnification and bioaccumulation in edible components produced in water is
accepted to produce a remarkable effect on the water of the river Brahamani which is of deep
public concern.
Pawar Anusha et al.(2006) has studied the bore well and dug well water samples from a
highly polluted industrial area – Nacharam. Sample were collected and analysed for physico-
chemical parameters by adopting the standard methods for examination for water and waste
water. The analyzed samples obtained a high values, compared with drinking water standards.
Poonkothai and Parvatham (2005) had been studied physico-chemical and microbiological
studies of automobile wastewater in Nammakkal, Tamil Nadu, India indicated that the values
for physico-chemical parameters were on the higher side of permissible limits of BIS.
Microbiological studies revealed the presence of bacteria at high concentration and these
organisms serves as indicators for pollutants. Rokade and Ganeshwade (2005) showed high
fluctuations in the physico-chemical parameters indicating the intensity of pollution. The pH
ranged from minimum of 6.6 to maximum of 8.4, chlorides from 132.5 to 820.4mg/l,

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1200
hardness ranged from 74 to 281 mg/l, CO2 from 2.1 to 5.09, BOD from 4.437 to 112.432
mg/l, sulphates 0.192 to 5.12 mg/l, nitrates 0.5 to 1.012. The minimum pH value of 6.3 mg/l
was found during winter season and maximum of 8.93 mg/l in summer. The pH shows
general decline from upstream to downstream. CO2 was found to maximum in summer
reaching up to 55.44 mg/l and reduced to a minimum of 2.28 mg/l during rainy season. From
the data collected it can be concluded that the inverse relationship, which is known to exist
between pH and CO2 , is not existing in the present investigation(Sawane 2006).
Sharma Madhavi et al. (2005) studied ground water quality of industrial area of Kishangarh
for various physicochemical parameters seasonally without and after addition of marble
slurry in different proportions. From the study it is clear that these parameters increase with
the addition of marble slurry leading to deterioration of the overall quality of the groundwater.
Singhal et al.(2005) study reports on the treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent by
Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the same has been compared at two different pH 5.5 and
8.5. At both the pH, colour, COD, lignin content and total phenols of the effluent
significantly declined after bioremediation. However, greater decolourisation and reduction
in COD, lignin content and total phenols were observed at pH 5.5. Chavan et al. (2005) was
carried out investigation to study the different organic pollutants present in the Thane creek
water. The creek water shows high values of BOD and COD along with 15 phenolic
compounds, detergents, alcohols, ether and acetone, which are harmful to aquatic life. The
origin of this pollutants is mainly from the entry of effluents from surrounding industries.
Two major cement industries of the Ariyalur and Reddipalayam were selected and the waste
water discharged from these units were collected and subjected to analysis. The values of
different parameters were compared with the standard values given by Tamil Nadu Pollution
Control Board. The reasons for variations are analysed and remedial measures suggested
(Gnana 2005). In mineral based industry among various environmental issues the water
pollution has posed most disastrous effect and complex challenges for undertaking necessary
remedial measures. The sources of water pollution in different mineral based industries
including mining, mineral processing, integrated iron and steel plant and nonferrous metal
industries are described. Various liquid effluent treatments techniques both physiochemical
and biological have been described and discussed. The process in each case being used
commercially, have been outlined.( Jena and Mohanty 2005).
Premlata Vikal (2009) has been work out the physico-chemical characteristics of the Pichhola
lake water. He studied various parameters like air and water temperature, pH, free CO2,
dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, conductivity, total
dissolved solids, hardness, total alkalinity, chloride, nitrate, phosphate and sulphate. The
results revealed that the values of conductivity, COD, and sulphate were found to cross the
standard limits in water samples. The coefficient of correlation (r) among various physico-
chemical parameters was also made.
Gupta et al (2009) were analyzed water samples from 20 sampling points of Kaithal for their
physicochemical characteristics. Analysis of samples for pH, Colour, Odour, Hardness,
Chloride, Alkalinity, TDS etc. On comparing the results against drinking water quality
standards laid by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health
Organization (WHO), it is found that some of the water samples are non-potable for human
being due to high concentration of one or the other parameter. Thus an attempt has been
made to find the quality of ground water in and around Kaithal City town, suitable for
drinking purposes or not. Basawaraj simpi et al.(2011) studied monthly changes in various
physic chemical parameters of Hosahalli water tank in shimoga district Karnataka. Study

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1201
shows that all parameters are within the limit and tank water non polluted and it can be used
for domestic, irrigation and fishery purpose.
Saravanakumar and Ranjith Kumar (2011) presents paper studies about groundwater quality
of Ambattur industrial area in Chennai City. They studied parameters such as pH, total
alkalinity, total hardness, turbidity, chloride, sulphate, fluoride, total dissolved solids and
conductivity. It was observed that there was a slight fluctuation in the physico-chemical
parameters among the water samples studied. Comparison of the physico-chemical
parameters of the water sample with WHO and ICMR limits showed that the groundwater is
highly contaminated and account for health hazards for human use. Manjare et al. (2010)
were studies the Physico-chemical Parameters of Tamadalge Water Tank in Kolhapur District,
Maharashtra. Monthly Changes In Physical and Chemical Parameters Such as Water
Temperature, Transparency, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Free
Carbon dioxide, and Total Hardness, Chlorides, Alkalinity, Phosphate and Nitrates. Were
analyzed for a periods of one year. All Parameters were within the Permissible limits. The
results indicate that the tank is Non-polluted and can be used for Domestic and Irrigation.
Highly impure water has various effects on human being, domestic purpose as well as
industrial use. Such as human beings get affected/ infected due to presence of different
bacteria and heavy metals present in water. It may affect the different body organ and
physiological disorder. Hard water is not suitable for domestic use such as washing, bathing,
cooking as well as other purpose. Hard water is also not suitable for industrial and
agricultural use. It damages the delicate machineries and affects the quality, stability and
glossiness of the final product.
Central water commission is maintaining a three tier Laboratory system for analysis of the
parameters. The Level-I Laboratories are located at 258 field water quality monitoring
stations on various rivers of India where physical parameters such as temperature, colour,
odour, specific conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH and Dissolved Oxygen of river water
are observed . There are 24 Level-II Laboratories located at selected Division Offices to
analyse 25 different physico- chemical characteristics and bacteriological parameters of river
water.
Table 1: Different analytical water quality parameters with their analytical technique and
guideline values as per who and Indian standard
Sr.
No.
Parameter
Technique used
WHO
standard
Indian
Standard
EPA
guidelines
01
Temperature
Thermometer
-
-
-
02
Color
Visual / color kit
-
5 Hazen
units
-
03
Odour
Physiological sense
Acceptable
Acceptable
-
04
Electrical
conductivity
Conductivity meter /
Water analysis kit
-
-
2500 us/cm
05
pH
pH meter
6.5 – 9.5
6.5 – 9.5
6.5 – 9.5
06
Dissolved
oxygen
Redox titration
-
-
-
07
Total Hardness
Complexometric titration
200 ppm
300 ppm
< 200 ppm
08
Alkalinity
Acid – Base titration
-
200 ppm
-
09
Acidity
Acid – Base titration
-
-
-
10
Ammonia
UV Visible
Spectrophotometer
0.3 ppm
0.5 ppm
0.5 ppm

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
1202
11
Bi carbonate
Titration
-
-
-
12
Biochemical
Oxygen
Demand
(B.O.D.)
Incubation followed by
titration
6
30
5
13
Carbonate
Titration
-
-
-
14
Chemical
Oxygen
Demand
(C.O.D.)
C.O.D. digester
10
-
40
15
Chloride
Argentometric titration
250 ppm
250 ppm
250 ppm
16
Magnesium
Complexometric titration
150 ppm
30 ppm
17
Nitrate
UV Visible
Spectrophotometer
45 ppm
45 ppm
50 mg/l
18
Nitrite
UV Visible
Spectrophotometer
3 ppm
45 ppm
0.5 mg/l
19
Potassium
Flame Photometer
-
-
-
20
Sodium
Flame Photometer
200 ppm
180 ppm
200 ppm
21
Sulphate
Nephelometer /
Turbidimeter
250 ppm
200 ppm
250 ppm
Ref.:- [WHO, USEPA, Indian Standard, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations,
Drinking Water Contaminants US EPA]
Table 2: Different analytical water quality parameters used for testing of quality of water
and their sourse of occurance and potential health effects with USEPA guidelines.
Sr.
No.
Parameter
Source of occurrence
Potential health effect
01
Turbidity
Soil runoff
Higher level of turbidity are
associated with disease causing
bacteria’s.
02
Color
Due to presence of dissolved
salts
-
03
Odor
Due to biological degradation.
Bad odor unpleasant
04
Electrical
conductivity
Due to different dissolved solids.
Conductivity due to ionizable ions.
High conductivity increases
corrosive nature of water.
05
pH
pH is changed due to different
dissolved gases and solids.
Affects mucous membrane; bitter
taste; corrosion
06
Dissolved
oxygen
Presence due to dissolved
oxygen.
D. O. corrode water lines,
boilers and heat exchangers, at low
level marine animals cannot
survive.
07
Total
Hardness
Presence of calcium (Ca2+) and
magnesium (Mg2+) ions in a
water supply. It is expressed.
Hardness minerals exist to some
degree in every water supply.
Poor lathering with soap;
deterioration of the quality of
clothes; scale forming
08
Total
Alkalinity
Due to dissolved gases (CO2)
Embrittlement of boiler steel.
Boiled rice turns yellowish
09
TDS
Presence all dissolved salts
Undesirable taste; gastro-intestinal
irritation; corrosion or incrustation
10
Calcium
Precipitate soaps, anionic
Interference in dyeing, textile,

Physico-chemical parameters for testing of water – A review
Patil. P.N, Sawant. D.V, Deshmukh. R.N
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 3 No.3, 2012
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11
Magnesium
surfactants, anionic
emulsifiers,
paper industry etc.
12
Ammonia
Due to dissolved gases and
degradation of organics
Corrosion of Cu and Zn alloys by
formation of complex ions.
13
Barium
Discharge of drilling wastes;
discharge from metal refineries;
erosion of natural deposits
Increase in blood pressure
14
Biochemical
Oxygen
Demand
(B.O.D.)
Organic material contamination
in water
High BOD decreases level of
dissolved oxygen.
15
Carbonate
Due to dissolution of CO2
Product imbalance
Unsatisfactory production
Short product life
16
Chloride
Water additive used to control
microbes, disinfect.
Eye/nose irritation; stomach
discomfort. Increase corrosive
character of water.
17
Nitrate
Runoff from fertilizer use;
leaking from septic tanks,
sewage; erosion of natural
deposits
Effect on Infants below the age of
six months Symptoms include
shortness of breath and blue-baby
syndrome.
18
Phosphate
-
stimulate microbial growth,
Rancidity Mold growth
19
Sodium
Natural component of water
-
20
Sulphate
Due to dissolved Ca/Mg/Fe
sulphates
Taste affected; gastro-intestinal
irritation. Calcium sulphate scale.
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