- #1
Erin_Sharpe
- 17
- 0
I have no idea where to begin for this one:
How do you dtermine if sulfate ions are present in tap water?
Thanks!
How do you dtermine if sulfate ions are present in tap water?
Thanks!
Testing for Sulfate Ions in Tap Water
- Thread starter Erin_Sharpe
- Start date
In summary: Barium Sulphate is less soluble so if you add more of it then you'll get precipitate. But it's still a cheap and easy way to test for sulphate ion.
- #2
chem_tr
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 609
- 3
Barium sulfate has a very low solubility in water, so concentrated sample of tap water may be tested with an excess of barium ions, say, barium nitrate. An additional test which can be done after precipitation occurs is that barium sulfate can be dissolved in hot concentrated sulfuric acid, but this is very dangerous. Precipitation might be enough for simple cases.
Sulfate ion is IR-active, so an infrared of the sample without considering water peaks might also be helpful; a peak system belonging to S=O vibration occurs at around 1000 cm-1.
These will help you.
Sulfate ion is IR-active, so an infrared of the sample without considering water peaks might also be helpful; a peak system belonging to S=O vibration occurs at around 1000 cm-1.
These will help you.
- #3
poolwin2001
- 179
- 0
[itex](CH_{3}COO)_{2}SO_{4}[/itex]is also insoluble.So if on addn of a little lead acetate,a white ppt is formed,it indicates presence of sulfate(sulphate in my place) ions .
Last edited:
- #4
poolwin2001
- 179
- 0
A cheecky answer will be by spectroscopy.
- #5
chem_tr
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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Poolwin2001, are you sure the structure you wrote your first post is not PbSO4? Barium sulfate is less soluble than lead sulfate, but the latter is also okay by the way.
- #6
poolwin2001
- 179
- 0
Oops.I guess you are right .It should be PbSO4.
Sorry for the error erin.
Thanks for correcting it.
Sorry for the error erin.
Thanks for correcting it.
- #7
archie
- 8
- 0
SO4 ion detection
The simplest and probably cheapest way to determine the presence of sulphate ion in the water is by using Barium Chloride soln. ( BaCl2 is preferrable than Barium Nitrate because it's more water soluble). Dissolve about 5 to 10 gram of BaCl2.2H2O in 100 ml distilled water. To test the water, just add several drops of BaCl2 soln. If there's white precipitate and cloudy appearance then big chance that your water contains sulphate ion.
Other alternative is by using Lead (II) Nitrate or Silver Nitrate, but these two as not as reliable as BaCl2 because the solubility of the sulphate of lead and silver is greater than BaSO4.
The simplest and probably cheapest way to determine the presence of sulphate ion in the water is by using Barium Chloride soln. ( BaCl2 is preferrable than Barium Nitrate because it's more water soluble). Dissolve about 5 to 10 gram of BaCl2.2H2O in 100 ml distilled water. To test the water, just add several drops of BaCl2 soln. If there's white precipitate and cloudy appearance then big chance that your water contains sulphate ion.
Other alternative is by using Lead (II) Nitrate or Silver Nitrate, but these two as not as reliable as BaCl2 because the solubility of the sulphate of lead and silver is greater than BaSO4.
1. How do I test for sulfate ions in tap water?
To test for sulfate ions in tap water, you can use a sulfate test kit or a sulfate ion selective electrode. These methods involve adding a chemical reagent to a sample of tap water and measuring the resulting color change or using a specialized electrode to measure the electrical potential of sulfate ions in the water.
2. Why is it important to test for sulfate ions in tap water?
Sulfate ions can contribute to the formation of scale and corrosion in plumbing and appliances. They can also affect the taste and odor of tap water. By testing for sulfate ions, you can determine the quality and potential effects of tap water on your plumbing and health.
3. What is the acceptable level of sulfate ions in tap water?
The acceptable level of sulfate ions in tap water varies by country and region. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a secondary maximum contaminant level of 250 mg/L for sulfate ions in drinking water. However, some states may have stricter regulations.
4. Can sulfate ions be removed from tap water?
Yes, sulfate ions can be removed from tap water through various treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation. Additionally, some water filtration systems and bottled water may also have lower levels of sulfate ions.
5. What are the potential health effects of consuming water with high levels of sulfate ions?
Excessive intake of sulfate ions through tap water consumption is not known to cause any immediate health effects. However, long-term exposure to high levels of sulfate ions may lead to digestive issues, such as diarrhea, and may exacerbate pre-existing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
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