Experiment No.

1
Date:

DETERMINATION OF ALKALINITY
AIM
The aim of the experiment is to determine which of the following types of alkalinity are
present in the given sample
a) Hydroxide alkalinity
b) Carbonate alkalinity
c) Bicarbonate alkalinity
d) Hydroxide - carbonate alkalinity
e) Carbonate Bicarbonate alkalinity
PRINCIPLE
The alkalinity of water is the capacity of water to accept protons. Alkalinity is usually
imparted by the bicarbonate, carbonate and hydroxide components of natural or treated
water supply. It is determined by titration with a standard solution of strong mineral acid
to the successive bicarbonate and carbonic acid equivalence points, indicated
electrometrically or by means of colour. Phenolphthalein indicator enables the
measurement of the alkalinity fraction contributed by the hydroxide and half of the
carbonate. Methyl orange indicator will help in measuring the remaining carbonate and
bicarbonate fractions of alkalinity. Alkalinity is expressed in mg/L CaCO3.
APPARATUS
1) Burette 25 to 100mL capacity
2) Erlenmeyer flasks
3) Pipettes
REAGENT
a) Carbon dioxide free distilled water
b) Phenolphthalein indicator solution
c) 0.02N standard sulphuric acid
d) Methyl orange indicator solution
e) 0.1N sodium thiosulphate solution
 Fig 1.1

Fig 1.2
Table1.1
Hydroxide Carbonate Bicarbonate
Result of Titration alkalinity as alkalinity as alkalinity as
CaCO3 CaCO3 CaCO3
P=0 0 0 T
P< T 0 2P T 2P
P=T 0 2P 0
P>T 2P T 2 (T-P) 0
P=T T 0 0
PROCEDURE
1. Measure out 20mL of the given sample to an Erlenmeyer flask
2. Add 1 drop of 0.1N sodium thiosulphate solution to remove the free residual
chlorine if present.
3. Add two drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
4. If the sample turns pink, then titrate with 0.02N standard sulphuric acid till
the solution turns colourless.
5. Note down the volume of sulphuric acid added (V1)
6. Add 2 drops of methyl orange indicator to the solution in which the
phenolphthalein alkalinity has been determined.
7. If the solution turns yellow, continue titration with 0.02N standard sulphuric
acid till the solution turns faint orange in colour.
8. Note down the total volume of sulphuric acid added (V2)

CALCULATIONS
1. Phenolphthalein Alkalinity (P) as mg./L CaCO3
= V1 x N x 50,000
mL of sample

2. Total Alkalinity ( T ) as mg/L CaCO3

= V2 x N x 50,000
mL of sample

The type of alkalinity present in the samples is calculated using the equations given in the
Table I and the result are tabulated.
RESULT

Type of Alkalinity Sample 1 Sample 2

Hydroxide Alkalinity in mg/L

as CaCO3
Carbonate Alkalinity in mg/L as
CaCO3
Bicarbonate Alkalinity in mg/L
as CaCO3

DISCUSSION