Environmental Engg.

Lab (10CVL77)

INTRODUCTION
Environment can be defined as ones surrounding. It consists of both biotic and
abiotic substances. Water is one of the most important and abundant compound
found in nature. Pollution of surface and groundwater resources by intensive
industrialization, population growth and agricultural activities are increasing day by
day. For effective maintenance of water quality through appropriate control
measures, one has to know to what extent pollution has occurred at a particular
source of water. This needs analysis of physical, chemical and biological quality of
water.
The Objectives of water examination are

Determination of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water.

Determination of pollution sources.
Assessment of suitability of water for various purposes such as drinking,

industrial, irrigation, fishery and concrete etc.

Establishment of size of various treatment units.
Determination of amount of chemicals required for purification and
conditioning of water for different usage.

The Objectives of wastewater examination are

Estimation of pollutional load and their potential damage caused by

introduction into the water bodies and on land for irrigation

Estimation of potential damage to sewers and wastewater treatment plants.

Preliminary assessment for planning and operation of wastewater treatment

plants

Testing of selected detrimental parameters for calculation of discharge cess

by regulating authorities.

To find out the presence of toxic constituents such as cyanide, cadmium,

mercury etc., and to evaluate the degree of toxicity in the treatment system.

To find out the substance that cause difficulties in treatment as foam, nonbiodegradable organics.

To find out the treatability constants and to arrive design parameters for an
effective treatment plant unit sizes for a specific waste.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGG. LABORATORY

Dept. of Civil Engg., VVCE, Mysore

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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

The aim of water treatment is to produce and maintain water that is hygienically safe,
aesthetically attractive and palatable in an economic manner. The set of procedures
or

events

that

an

engineer

adopts

to

treat

water

is

known

as

unit

operations/processes. Though, the treatment of water would achieve the desired

quality, the evaluation of its quality should not be confined to the end of treatment
facility but should be extended to the point of consumer use. The extent of treatment
required to be given to a particular water depends on the characteristics and quality
of available water and also upon the quality of requirements for the intended use.
This laboratory deals with fundamental tests used in water and wastewater
treatment. These tests will assists to evaluate the data generated and to interpret
and draw conclusions about water/ wastewater quality. Environmental Engineering
laboratory is helpful in solving problems of water quality management in both water
treatment and wastewater treatment systems.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

The objective of sampling is to collect a portion of material small enough in volume to

be transported conveniently & handled in the laboratory while still accurately
representing the material being sampled. This objective implies that the relative
proportions or concentrations of all pertinent components will be in the sample as in
the material being sampled , & that the sample will be handled in such a way that no
significant changes in composition occur before the tests are made. Samples are
presented to the laboratory for specific determinations with the sample collector
taking responsibility for the validity of the sample. Because of the increasing
importance of the ability to verify the accuracy & representativeness of data, greater
emphasis is placed on proper sample collection & preservation techniques.
The goals that can be pursued by taking samples are (i) Quality control (ii) Making
forecasts and (iii) Determination of the extent of damage caused due to water /
wastewater.
The sampling method used should be one that gives a representative, clear picture
of the quality of water and wastewater. Representative and valid sample of water
and wastewater can be obtained in several ways.
TYPES OF SAMPLING
(a) Grab or random sampling: Samples collected at a particular time and place
can represent only the composition of the source at that time and place. When a
source is known to vary with time, grab sample collected at suitable intervals will
be of great value in documenting the extent, frequency and duration of the
variations. It is appropriate for immediate testing for fugitive characteristics.
(b) Composite or pooled sampling: The term composite refers to the mixture
of samples collected at the same sampling point at different times. A composite
sample of 24 h period is considered a standard for most determinations.
Time proportional sampling: Taking constant volume of sample at identical time
interval and pooling
Volume/ quantity proportional sampling: Volume proportional to flow are
collected at constant time intervals.
(c) Integrated sampling: The mixture of grab samples collected from different
points simultaneously or as nearly as possible is called as integrated samples.
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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

Such samples are useful for rivers or streams that vary in composition across its
width and depth. The needs for integrated samples exist if combined treatment is
proposed for several separate wastewater streams.
SAMPLING METHODS
The process of collecting sample is known as sampling. There are two types of
sampling methods.
a. Manual sampling
Manual sampling involves minimal equipment but may be timeconsuming for routine & unduly costly for large-scale sampling
programs.
b. Automatic sampling
Automatic samples can eliminate human errors in manual sampling ,
can reduce labour costs, may provide the means for more frequent
sampling & are used increasingly. It should be sure that the automatic
sampler does not contaminate the sample.
SAMPLING CONTAINERS
The type of sample containers used are of utmost importance. Containers typically
are made of plastic or glass, but one material may be preferred over the other. For
example: silica and sodium may be leached from glass but not plastic and trace
levels of metals may be absorbed into the walls of glass containers.

For samples containing organics, avoid plastic containers except those made
of fluorinated polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

For samples containing volatile organics, some compounds may dissolve into
the walls of plastic containers or such compounds may even leach
substances from the plastic. Container failure due to breakdown of the plastic
is possible.

Some organics are compatible with certain plastics. Glass

containers generally are preferred with volatile organics. Container caps,

typically plastic, also can be a problem with organics.

Use foil or

Tetraflluoroethyl liners, serum vials with TFE lined rubber or plastic septa are
useful.
SAMPLE COLLECTION

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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

a. Sample labels: Use labels for identification. Gummed paper labels or tags
generally are adequate. Include the following information. Sample number, name
of collector, date and time of collection and place.
b. Field log book: Record all information pertinent to a field survey in a bound log
book. Purpose of sampling, location of sampling point, name and address,
different location and type of samples are included in the log book.
c. Chain of custody records: Fill out a chain of custody record to accompany each
sample or group of samples. The record includes information of sample numbers,
signature of collector, date, time and address of collection, sample type.
d. Sample analysis request sheet: Accompanies samples to the laboratory. The
lab. portion of such a sheet is completed by lab personnel and includes name of
person receiving the sample, lab sample number, date of sample receipt and
determinations to be performed.
e. Sample delivery to lab: Deliver as soon as practicable. Accompany sample with
chain of custody record and a sample analysis request sheet. Deliver sample to
sample custodian.
f. Receipt and logging of sample: The sample custodian receives the
sample and inspects its condition and seal, reconciles label information and seal
against the chain of custody records, assigns lab number and stores it in a
storage room until it is assigned to an analyst.
Precautionary measures to be followed for sample collection

Cool the hot samples collected under pressure while they are still under
pressure.

Before collecting from distribution systems, flush lines sufficiently to

ensure that the sample is representative of the supply.

Collect samples from wells only after the well has been pumped
sufficiently to ensure that it represents the ground water source.

When samples are collected from a river or a stream, observed results

may vary with depth, stream flow, distance from shore and from one
shore-shore. If equipment is available take samples (integrated) from top
to bottom in the middle of the stream or from side-side at mid depth, in
such a way that the sample is integrated according to flow. If only a grab or

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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

catch sample can be collected, take it in the middle of the stream and at
mid-depth.

Lakes and reservoirs are subjected to considerable variations from normal

causes such as run-off, rainfall and wind. Choose location, depth and
frequency of sampling depending on local conditions and the purpose of
the investigation.

SAMPLE ANALYSIS
a. Nature of sample changes
Some determinations are more likely than others to be affected by sample
storage before analysis. Certain cations are subjected to loss by adsorption on &
ion exchange with the wall of glass containers. Temperature changes quickly ; pH
may change significantly in a matter of minutes; dissolved gases may be lost.
Because changes in such basic water quality properties may occur so quickly
determine temperature, pH & dissolved gases in the immediately after taking
sample.
b. Time interval between collection & analysis
In general, the shorter the time that elapses between a collection of samples and
its analysis, the more reliable will be the analytical results. For certain
constituents and physical values, immediate analysis in the field is required. For
composited samples it is common practice to use the time at the end of
composite collection as the sample collection time.

PRESERVATION AND HANDLING OF SAMPLES

To minimise the potential for volatization or biodegradation between sampling and
analysis, keep samples as cool as possible without freezing, preferably pack
samples in crushed ice cube or commercial ice substitutes before shipment. Avoid
using dry ice because it will freeze samples and may cause glass containers to
break. Dry ice may also effect pH change in samples. Keep composite samples
cool with ice or a refrigeration system set at 4C. Analyse samples as quickly as
possible on arrival to the lab. Use chemical preservatives only when they are shown
not to interfere with the analysis being made.

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Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

Methods of preservation are relatively limited and are intended generally to retard
biological action, retard hydrolysis of chemical compounds and complexes and
reduce volatility of constituents.

Preservation methods are limited to pH control,

chemical addition, the use of amber and opaque bottles, refrigeration, filtration and
freezing. Table 1 shows the preservation techniques of water sample to be adopted
for various parameter analysis.

SAMPLE VOLUME
Collect 2 litre sample for most of physical and chemical analysis.

For certain

determinations, larger samples may be necessary. Do not use the same sample for
chemical (organic and Inorganic) and bacteriological/microscopic examinations,
because methods of collecting and handling are different. Table 1 shows the volume
of sample required for analysis based on the parameter.

Table 1: Preservation of the water samples for chemical analysis

Parameter

Recommende

Dept. of Civil Engg., VVCE, Mysore

Recommende
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Preservation method

Maximum

Environmental Engg. Lab (10CVL77)

d sample
Acidity
Alkalinity
BOD
Colour
Conductivity
Solids
Sulfate
COD

d container

storage time

volume, mL
100
200
1000
500
500

material
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass

Refrigeration at 4C
Refrigeration at 4C
Refrigeration at 4C
Refrigeration at 4C
Refrigeration at 4C

24 hr
24 hr
6 hr
24 hr
28 days

100
100
100

Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass

Refrigeration at 4C
Refrigeration at 4C
Analysis as soon

7 days
28 days
7 days

as

possible or add H2SO4 to

Chlorine(Resi

500

Plastic, Glass

pH<2
Analyse immediately

dual)
Fluoride
Hardness
Nitrate

500
100
100

Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass

Not required
Add HNO3 to pH<2
Referigeration at 4C,

28 days
6 months
48 hr

Nitrite
pH
Temperature
DO

200
100
100
300

Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Plastic, Glass
Glass

add H2SO4 to pH<2

Analyse immediately
Analyse immediately
Analyse immediately
Analyse immediately or

2 hr
6 hr

Glass

fix on site
For dissolved Phosphate

48 hr

Phosphate

100

filter
Salinity
Turbidity

240
100

immediately,

Glass

refrigeration at -10C
Analyse immediately or

6 months

Plastic, Glass

use wax seal

Analyse the same day,

24 hr

store in dark

Dept. of Civil Engg., VVCE, Mysore

24 hr

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