ABSTRACTThe study of this report was to analyse phosphate in a solution. The main objective was to determine the concentration of phosphate in an unknown solution. The level of phosphate in the sample solution was evaluated by molybdenum phosphorus blue method. A spectrophotometer was used with which the absorbance of the solutions provided were read at a particular wavelength of 880 nm where maximum absorption of light occurs during the phosphate test.
A graph of absorbance against concentration of the solution is plotted. Using Beer’s Law: (A= lc) and line of best fit: (y=0.3726x) , the concentration of phosphate in five different unknown solutions has been found knowing their absorbance at 880 nm wavelength. The concentration of phosphate in the unknown solutions (A, B, C, D, E) was displayed and it should be noted that A, B and E had high concentration of phosphate of 5.77, 2.66 and 2.02 mg/L respectively compared to C (0.757 mg/L) and D (0.
773 mg/L). If these high amounts of phosphate were found in water surfaces, this would be a threat to aquatic life and the environment in general. This is why it is important to perform this experiment to analyse the quantity of phosphate in water so that appropriate measures can be taken.TABLE OF CONTENTS TOC o “1-3” h z u ABSTRACT PAGEREF _Toc497433753 h 2LIST OF TABLES PAGEREF _Toc497433754 h 4LIST OF FIGURES PAGEREF _Toc497433755 h 4LIST OF EQUATIONS PAGEREF _Toc497433756 h 41. INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc497433757 h 52.
AIMS AND ODJECTIVES PAGEREF _Toc497433758 h 63. LITERATURE REVIEW PAGEREF _Toc497433759 h 73.1 Importance of phosphorus PAGEREF _Toc497433760 h 73.2 Types of phosphates PAGEREF _Toc497433761 h 73.3 Sources and threat of phosphates in water PAGEREF _Toc497433762 h 73.5 How to determine concentration of phosphate in water PAGEREF _Toc497433763 h 83.6 What is spectrophotometry? PAGEREF _Toc497433764 h 83.7 Application of Beer’s Law PAGEREF _Toc497433765 h 94.
METHODOLOGY PAGEREF _Toc497433766 h 104.1 Apparatus used PAGEREF _Toc497433767 h 104.2 Chemicals used PAGEREF _Toc497433768 h 114.
3 Procedure PAGEREF _Toc497433769 h 114.4 Determination of phosphate in the unknown solution PAGEREF _Toc497433770 h 124.5 Dangers and safety measures PAGEREF _Toc497433771 h 126. CALCULATIONS PAGEREF _Toc497433772 h 146.1 Using Beer’s Law equation PAGEREF _Toc497433773 h 146.2 Error analysis PAGEREF _Toc497433774 h 147. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS PAGEREF _Toc497433775 h 157.
1 Colour formation PAGEREF _Toc497433776 h 157.2 Plotting the graph PAGEREF _Toc497433777 h 157.3 Values obtained in the experiment PAGEREF _Toc497433778 h 168.
CONCLUSION PAGEREF _Toc497433779 h 169. REFERENCES PAGEREF _Toc497433780 h 1710. APPENDICES PAGEREF _Toc497433781 h 18LIST OF TABLES TOC h z c “Table” Table 1: List of reagents, dangers and safety measures PAGEREF _Toc497431080 h 12Table 2: Absorbance of different concentration of the sample solutions PAGEREF _Toc497431081 h 13Table 3: Absorbance of the unknown solution PAGEREF _Toc497431082 h 13Table 4: Concentration of phosphate in the unknown solution PAGEREF _Toc497431083 h 14LIST OF FIGURES TOC h z c “Figure” Figure 1: Diagram of the main components in a spectrophotometer PAGEREF _Toc497431090 h 8Figure 2: Diagram of a beam of light as it passes through the solution vial PAGEREF _Toc497431091 h 9Figure 3: Hach DR 2500 spectrophotometer PAGEREF _Toc497431092 h 10Figure 4: PhosVer 3 phosphate reagent powder pillow PAGEREF _Toc497431093 h 11Figure 5: Graph of Absorbance against Concentration of phosphate PAGEREF _Toc497431094 h 13Figure 6: Results on completion of the chemical reaction PAGEREF _Toc497431095 h 15LIST OF EQUATIONS TOC h z c “Equation” Equation 1 : First step reaction to determine presence of orthophosphate PAGEREF _Toc497431100 h 5Equation 2 : Second step reaction to determine presence of orthophosphate PAGEREF _Toc497431101 h 5Equation 3: Beer’s Law Equation PAGEREF _Toc497431102 h 6Equation 4: Transmittance PAGEREF _Toc497431103 h 9Equation 5: Absorbance PAGEREF _Toc497431104 h 91.
INTRODUCTIONQuantitative analysis demonstrates what amount of one or more substances are present in a sample. (Bhutia T.K., 2016). One type of quantitative analysis in chemistry is the determination of phosphate in a sample solution.
The most stable form of phosphate in water is orthophosphate which is also mentioned as reactive phosphorus. (Murphy S., 2007). The method used to ascertain the amount of phosphate ions (PO43-) in the given sample solution was the PhosVer 3 (Ascorbic Acid) Method 8048. In another term, it is also called the spectrophotometric molybdenum blue method.
In this experiment ammonium molybdate has reacted with antimony potassium tartrate in potassium pyrosulfate (acid medium) along with phosphate diluted solutions. A complex named antimony-phospho-molybdate was formed which is yellow in colour. In the presence of ascorbic acid (chemical name for Vitamin C), the complex was immediately reduced to an intensely molybdenum blue complex. (Murphy and Riley, 1977 cited Doolittle P.
, 2014). Since the reduction reaction has instantly taken place the yellow colour was not observed. All the listed components for the two step reactions were present in the PhosVer 3 Phosphate Reagent except the diluted solutions of orthophosphate.AmmoniumMolybdate(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O) + AntimonyPotassiumTartrate(K(SbO)C4H4O6.12 H2O) + PotassiumPyrosulfate(K2O7S2) + Orthophosphate(PO43-)Antimony-phospho-molybdate complex(Yellow Colour)Equation SEQ Equation * ARABIC 1 : First step reaction to determine presence of orthophosphateAntimony-phospho-molybdate(Yellow Colour) + Ascorbic acid(C6H8O6)(Vitamin C) Molybdenum complex(Mo)(Blue Colour)Equation SEQ Equation * ARABIC 2 : Second step reaction to determine presence of orthophosphateIn this experiment Beer’s Law equation short for Beer-Lambert Law equation was used to find the concentration of phosphate ions in the sample solution using a spectrophotometer.
This law states that the concentration of a chemical substance in that case orthophosphate, is directly proportional to the absorbance of light through the sample solution (sample containing orthophosphate). (Helmenstine A.M.
, 2017). The Beer’s Law is represented as shown below:A= clEquation SEQ Equation * ARABIC 3: Beer’s Law EquationA: Absorbance of light (no units): Molar absorptivity (mol-1 m-1)l: Path length of vial used (m)c: Concentration of substance (orthophosphate) in solution (mol L-1 / mol dm-3)In this experiment concentrations of PO43- ions ranging from 0.50 to 2.50 mg/L by interval of 0.5 were used. This resulted into five different concentrations of phosphate ions which were used in the test. Using the spectrophotometer, program 490 P React. PP was selected which is a specific program for the determination of phosphate.
(Chemistry For Engineers Practical Handout). A wavelength of 880 nm was programmed into the spectrophotometer machine as at this particular wavelength, maximum absorption of light occurs when testing for phosphate. (Douglas R., 2007)2. AIMS AND ODJECTIVESTo understand the principle of a spectrophotometric analysis using a spectrophotometerTo determine the concentration of phosphate in an unknown solution using Beer’s LawTo determine amount of phosphate in water samples from rivers, lakes, reservoirs to ensure the water is safe for consumption3. LITERATURE REVIEW3.1 Importance of phosphorusPhosphorus is an important factor in the growth of plants on land as well as in water. In enough amount of phosphorus, plants can develop immunity against diseases hence grow well.
This can be shown by hydroponic gardening where the amount of phosphorus can be controlled resulting in more healthy plants. (Tajer A., 2016). In nature phosphorus is found in the form of phosphate ions (PO43-).Phosphorus in any form in water is relatively low in concentration as the aquatic plants and animals are very keen to intake this nutrient. (Abbasi S.A.
, 1998). Here are a few statistical values of amount of phosphate: 0.001 mg/l in pure water, 0.
005 to 0.020 mg/l in natural surface water, 0.020 mg/l in groundwater and up to 200 mg/l in seawater. (Abbasi S.A., 1998).3.
2 Types of phosphatesInorganic phosphates include orthophosphates and polyphosphatesOrthophosphates (reactive phosphorus) Polyphosphates (condensed phosphates) are unstable in water and are directly converted to orthophosphateOrganic phosphates are phosphates found in living organisms3.3 Sources and threat of phosphates in waterIn nature phosphates reach water surfaces from minerals and rocks during erosion. A large amount of phosphate comes from human activities such household and industrial sewage, fertilisation and detergents. (Green J.
, 2017). In a situation where the amount of phosphorus in water is so high and that plants and animals cannot intake all of the nutrient, eutrophication can occur. (Abbasi S.
A., 1998). Eutrophication also known as the effect of algal blooms is a major concern. Excessive amount of phosphates in water increases the growth of algae. Bacteria decompose the dying algae and take in the dissolved oxygen in water.
As a result the aquatic plants and animals suffocate and die due to lack of oxygen. (Green J., 2017)Therefore the need of performing an orthophosphate test of water sample from water courses is crucial to know how alarming the situation is and to take appropriate measures at an early stage.
3.5 How to determine concentration of phosphate in waterThere are many different tests to analyse the amount of phosphate in water namely: orthophosphate test, acid hydrolysable phosphate test and the total phosphorous test. Among the types of phosphates listed above only orthophosphate can be immediately analysed. (Dabkowski B. and White M., 2016). In this experiment the orthophosphate test involving the ascorbic acid and spectrophotometric molybdenum blue method was used.
3.6 What is spectrophotometry?Spectrophotometry is a process where the concentration of a substance in an unknown sample can be found by measuring the absorbance of light of that substance in the solution. (Douglas R.
, 2007). The device used for this experiment was the Hach DR 2500 spectrophotometer having a wavelength range of 365 to 880 nm. In figure 1 below, the process that happens inside the spectrophotometer for the quantitative analysis of phosphate is shown. A white source of light (light having more than one wavelength) usually produced by a tungsten lamp was made to pass through a monochromator. (Douglas R.
, 2007). A prism inside the monochromator has dispersed the light and by moving the exit slit, only one wavelength of 880 nm left the monochromator. (Heda N., 2013).center580009000Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Diagram of the main components in a spectrophotometer(http://namrataheda.blogspot.com/2013/07/spectrophotometry-part-2-uv-visible.html)The single beam of light was then passed through a 10 ml vial (cuvette) containing the blue solution of molybdenum.
The solution had absorbed some light and the remaining light was transmitted as shown in figure 2 below. The amount of light absorbed depends on the length of the vial and concentration of the solution. The transmittance and absorbance of light are found using the following equations:T=ItIoEquation SEQ Equation * ARABIC 4: Transmittance-1905104775000 A= -logT= -logItIoEquation SEQ Equation * ARABIC 5: AbsorbanceIo: Intensity of light that entered the solution (Wm-2)It: Intensity of light that left the solution (Wm-2)l: path length of vial (m)T: Transmittance of light (no units)A: Absorbance of light (no units)Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 2: Diagram of a beam of light as it passes through the solution vial(http://www.thefullwiki.org/General_Astronomy/Molecular_Emission_and_Absorption)Spectrophotometry is used for the quantitative analysis of phosphate because the process requires neither sophisticated instruments nor extraction compared to the other methods. (Adelowo F.
E. et al, 2016)3.7 Application of Beer’s LawThe mathematical expression of Beer’s Law A= lc states that the absorbance is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance.
It demonstrates that the concentration of the substance in a solution is also proportional to the colour intensity of the solution. In simple terms, if during the test a darker blue colour was obtained, it means that the solution contained a large amount of phosphate. (Douglas R., 2007).
4. METHODOLOGYIn this experiment 50mg/L of phosphate standard solution was prepared. Five separate dilutions of the given solution were made thereby obtaining five different concentration of phosphate. The powder reagent provided was mixed with each of the diluted solutions separately. The absorbance of light of each mixed solutions was noted and a graph of absorbance against concentration of phosphate was plotted. From the graph the concentration of phosphate in an unknown solution was determined using the Beer’s Law equation.4.1 Apparatus usedHach DR 2500 spectrophotometer It was used to measure the absorbance of light of the diluted phosphate solutions and the unknown solution at a wavelength of 880 nm.
Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 3: Hach DR 2500 spectrophotometer(http://www.balmann.co.kr/Details/Product/Analysis-DR2500(HACH).asp)50 ml BeakerThe standard phosphate solution was poured into the beaker for the solution to be pipetted easily.15 ml Graduated PipetteIt was used to transfer volumes of the phosphate standard solution into five different volumetric flasks.100 ml Volumetric FlasksFive different volumes of the standard phosphate solution ranging from 5 ml to 25 ml were transferred into the volumetric flasks and distilled water was added up to the 100 ml marks obtaining at last five diluted solutions of different concentration.
10 ml PipetteIt was used to transfer 10 ml of each diluted solution into 10 ml vials into which the phosphate reagent was added (sample solutions). It was also used to transfer 10 ml of the diluted solution into one 10 ml vial without adding the phosphate reagent (blank sample) as a reference. At last it was used to transfer 10 ml of the unknown solution into a 10 ml vial.10 ml vialsThey were used to store the sample solutions, the blank solution and the unknown solution. They were then placed each at a time in the spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance.
TimerIt was used to set a 212 minute reaction (shaking for 30 seconds and 2 minutes for the reaction)4.2 Chemicals usedPhosphate standard solution, 50 mg/LDistilled water1890395558165000PhosVer 3 phosphate reagent powder pillow 10 mlFigure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 4: PhosVer 3 phosphate reagent powder pillow(https://www.hach.com/phosver-3-phosphate-reagent-powder-pillows-10-ml-pk-100/product?id=7640196043)4.3 ProcedureProgram 490 P React. PP was started and a wavelength of 880 nm was selected.15 ml of the phosphate standard solution was transferred into a 100 ml volumetric flask.Distilled water was added to the volumetric flask up to the 100ml mark.
The contents were mixed by carefully inverting the volumetric flask.The sample solution was obtained by transferring 10 ml of the diluted solution into a 10 ml vial.A PhosVer 3 phosphate reagent powder pillow was cut using scissors and all its contents were added to the prepared sample solution vial.The vial was instantly closed and shaken vigorously for 30 seconds.A further 2 minute reaction was set using a timer.
Meanwhile the blank sample was obtained by transferring 10 ml of the diluted solution into another 10 ml vial. Using tissue paper, the vial containing the blank sample was cleaned (removing traces of fingerprints) and was inserted into the cell holder of the spectrophotometer.The command ZERO was selected to zero the spectrophotometer. When the timer was beeped, step 10 was repeated for the sample solution, the command READ was selected and the absorbance was noted. The experiment was repeated for different volumes of the phosphate standard solution hence different concentration and each absorbance was noted. A graph of absorbance against concentration of the phosphate solutions was plotted.
4.4 Determination of phosphate in the unknown solution10 ml of the unknown solution was transferred into a 10 ml vial.The blank sample that was prepared before was reinserted into the cell holder to zero the spectrophotometer.The unknown sample was then placed into the cell holder of the spectrophotometer, command READ was selected and absorbance was noted.4.5 Dangers and safety measuresReagent Dangers Safety measuresPhosphate standard solution Causes eye irritation and skin irritation in case of contact Wear eye goggles and glovesPhosVer 3 phosphate reagent Causes eye irritation and skin irritation in case of contactCauses respiratory tract irritation if accidentally inhaled Wear eye goggles and glovesWear mask when adding the powderTable SEQ Table * ARABIC 1: List of reagents, dangers and safety measures5. TABLE OF RESULTSVials 1 2 3 4 5Concentration (mg/L) 0.
5 1.0 1.5 2.
0 2.5Volume of solution to be diluted (ml) 5 10 15 20 25Absorbance 0.192 0.538 0.672 0.752 0.791Table SEQ Table * ARABIC 2: Absorbance of different concentration of the sample solutionsGroup 1 2 3 4 5Absorbance 2.
149 0.990 0.282 0.
288 0.751Table SEQ Table * ARABIC 3: Absorbance of the unknown solution7620369760500Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 5: Graph of Absorbance against Concentration of phosphate6. CALCULATIONS6.1 Using Beer’s Law equationFrom the graph the equation of the line of best fit was found to be y=0.
3726x. Note that the line was made to pass through the origin as when the concentration of phosphate was 0 mg/L, the spectrophotometer showed zero absorbance. This was due to the blank sample which was used to zero the spectrophotometer.The concentration of phosphate in each of the five unknown solution was found using Beer’s Law equation: A= cl where in the form of y=mx+c , the gradient of the line is defined by l which was equal to 0.3726.This equation can be rewritten in the form c=A0.
3726 where c is the concentration of phosphate in the unknown solution and A is the absorbance. The results are shown in the table below:Unknown sample solution A B C D EAbsorbance 2.149 0.990 0.282 0.288 0.751Concentration of phosphate (mg/L) 5.
77 2.66 0.757 0.773 2.02Table SEQ Table * ARABIC 4: Concentration of phosphate in the unknown solution6.2 Error analysisErrors were introduced throughout the whole experiment making the results less accurate.
This was shown by the graph where the value of R2 was not close to the expected value of 1. Human errors could be that the vials were not properly cleaned with tissue paper before placing them in the spectrophotometer. When the PhosVer 3 powder pillow reagent was added to the vial, not all of its content was mixed with the solution. Instrumental errors such as in the spectrophotometer where the prism or the slits (see Figure 1) could have been displaced a little leading to inaccurate absorbance values. Errors in the pipettes used to measure 10 ml of each solution (sample, blank and unknown) were made.Percentage error of each pipetting using the 10 ml pipette = 0.0510 ×100% = 0.
5%7. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS7.1 Colour formation121920210629500It was observed that keeping the amount of molybdate and ascorbic acid (both found in the PhosVer 3 powder pillow) constant, the intensity of the blue colour was observed to be proportional to the concentration of phosphate in the solution (Douglas R., 2007) as shown in the figure below:Light blueLeast amount of phosphate Dark blueGreatest amount of phosphate36195328041000Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 6: Results on completion of the chemical reaction(http://public.
iorodeo.com/docs/phosphate/hach_phosver3.html)Note: 1 ppm = 1 mg/LThe blue solution obtained indicated the presence of phosphate and the blue colour was due to the formation of the element molybdenum (Mo).7.2 Plotting the graphThe calibration curve was drawn with a straight line so that Beer’s Law equation (A= lc) could be applied. This formula was valid only if the absorbance did not exceed the value of 1. Over that value the relationship between concentration and absorbance deviate considerably from Beer’s Law.
7.3 Values obtained in the experimentFrom Figure 5, the value of R2 obtained (R2 = 0.7442) deviated largely from the expected value of 1. This was due to interfering substances which lead to inaccurate absorbance values.The absorbance obtained for unknown solution A (Absorbance = 2.
149) was greater than 1. The relationship between absorbance and transmittance became non-linear (Stockford I.M., 2007) meaning that Beer’s Law was no longer applicable to determine the concentration of phosphate in unknown solution A.The concentration of phosphate (mg/L) in unknown solution A, B and E was 5.77, 2.
66 and 2.02 respectively. If these amounts were found in water courses which normally should be about 0.02 mg/L, it would result in eutrophication in the long term.
8. CONCLUSIONThe spectrophotometric blue method was very effective to find the concentration of phosphate in an unknown solution. The intensity of the blue colour showed visually which of the solutions contains the least phosphate content and which contains the greatest phosphate content. Amount of orthophosphate in the unknown solution was determined using a calibration curve of absorbance against known concentration of orthophosphate and using the application of Beer’s Law (A=lc). The experiment could be repeated on a large scale such as testing for the presence of phosphate in wastewater. This would be useful in the future to know at what rate phosphorus increases in water.9.
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