Water Purification
What is the best way to purify water?
Lab Summary
In this exploration, students will use a turbidity sensor, conductivity sensor, and pH sensor to analyze the effectiveness of a set of treatments for improving water quality. Students will explore several models of treatments used in water treatment plants by many municipalities.
Students will investigate the effectiveness of several treatments on the turbidity (level of suspended solids), conductivity (level of dissolved salts), and pH (level of hydronium ions) of a water sample that has been “polluted” with soil.
The treatments students will investigate are: 1) sedimentation only; 2) sedimentation and filtration; and 3) coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. Each student group will investigate one of the treatments, and the composite information will be posted for the entire class to see, compare, and discuss.
Downloads
- Download Free Lab (PDF, 556 KB) (556 KB, .pdf)
(student version)
Method
Use the Turbidity Sensor, Conductivity Sensor, and pH Sensor to analyze the effectiveness of a set of treatments to improve water quality.
Here's What You Need
U.S. Educator prices shown.
Probeware
PASPORT Turbidity Sensor (PS-2122) - $125
Measures the turbidity level (cloudiness) of water in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). For use with PASPORT Interfaces.
PASPORT pH Sensor (PS-2102) - $79
Has a wide measurement range of 0 to 14 pH. Has a resolution of 0.01 pH. For use with PASPORT Interfaces.
PASPORT Conductivity Sensor (PS-2116A) - $108
Utilizes platinum probes for greater range and improved accuracy in high & low concentrations.
Xplorer GLX (PS-2002) - $329
The Xplorer GLX is a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool designed for science students and educators.
Other Materials
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- Beakers (2), 250-mL
- Erlenmeyer Flask, 250-mL
- Funnel
- Pipet with bulb
- Wash bottle and Waste container
- Large bucket
- Stirring rod
- Protective Gear
- Water, 200.0 mL
- Egg Whites, 2
- Soil, 1 cup
- Coffee Filter
Lab Manual
This activity is included in Explorations in Biology (PS-2807), complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data for a total of 25 probeware-based labs. For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware necessary for the activities in the manual. For more information on these resources and bundles, click here.