LaMotte AM-12 User manual

AM

CODE 5849

THE TESTABS® WATER INVESTIGATION KIT

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The TesTabs

®

Water Investigation Kit...

is an easy-to-use, modular test kit designed to investigate water quality and pollution. Individual test modules
allow teams of students to perform tests using safe and simple TesTab reagents. Modules contain T esTabs
and equipment to conduct 100 tests for each factor. The Monitor’s Handbook contains all the information
needed to set up a water quality monitoring program and interpret the results.

®

WARNING! This set contains chemicals

that may be harmful if misused. Read

cautions on individual containers

carefully. Not to be used by children

except under adult supervision.

1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Guidelines for Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Safety
Collecting a Water Sample
Test Procedures

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Alkalinity
Ammonia
Chloride
Chlorine
Chromium
Copper
Dissolved Oxygen/Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Hardness

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Iron
Nitrate

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

pH

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Phosphate

Test Results
Ordering Information

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GUIDELINES FOR TESTING...

1 2

Read the safety information on the
label of each module. These labels
provide very specific first aid and
chemical information. Read the entire
manual before performing any tests.

5

Follow the general
safety guidelines for
your school.

CODE 5889

safety

Dissolved Oxygen TesTabs® (3976) contain chemicals which may be
harmful if swallowed. If swallowed: Induce vomiting. Drink water.
Consult physician. Wash after handling tablets. Keep tablets away
from young children.

Ensure a safe experience by using the following:

6

• Safety goggles for each student

• Clean pail or bucket for washing hands

• Jug of clean water for washing hands

• Soap (biodegradable if possible)

• Waste container for chemical waste

Be sure that students
understand the danger
of treating reagents
casually or
endangering others
through “horseplay”.

3

Wear safety goggles.

• Towels

• Plastic gloves

• Eye wash bottle

• First aid kit

4

Wash hands after
performing water quality
tests. Avoid placing
hands in contact with
eyes or mouth.

7

Note which test
procedures require
distilled or deionized
water.

AFTER TESTING

Most reacted samples can be disposed of by flushing down the drain with excess water. While in the field,
reacted samples can be poured together into a waste container for later disposal. The Chloride TesTabs
(3885A) contain silver which is considered to be an EPA characteristic waste in large quantities.Waste
solutions containing no more than 2 Chloride TesTabs
water. If a large number of chloride tests are to be performed, keep a separate waste container for the chloride
test waste and dispose of it as hazardous waste.

®

per liter can be flushed down the drain with excess

®

DILUTIONS

If a test reaction is darker than the darkest standard on the color chart, the sample concentration is greater
than the range of the test module. Mix equal parts of the water sample and distilled water. Follow the test
procedure with the diluted sample. Multiply the test result by 2.

NOTE: This dilution method cannot be used with the pH or Dissolved Oxygen/BOD tests.

4

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SAFETY...

001EX10/17

001EX10/17

The TesTabs® reagents used in this kit are designed with safety in mind. The single-use, foil packaged TesTabs®
are easy to dispense. Store TesTabs
single tablet, either alone or reacted with a sample, is not a health hazard. However, TesTabs
ingested. Additional information for all LaMotte reagents is available in the United States, Canada, Puerto
Rico, and the US Virgin Islands from Chem-Tel by calling 1-800-255-3924. For other areas, call 813-248-0585
collect to contact Chem-Tel’s International access number. Each reagent can be identified by the four digit
number listed on the upper left corner of the reagent label, in the contents list and in the test procedures.

This test kit contains the following reagents:

Alk Tablets Code 3920A
*Ammonia #1 Tablets Code 3968A
*Ammonia #2 Tablets Code 3969A
*Chloride Tablets Code 3885A
*Chromium Tablets Code 3889A
Copper HR Tablets Code 3701A
Dissolved Oxygen Tablets Code 3976A
DPD #4R Tablets Code 6899A
*Hardness T Tablets Code 6917A
*Total Iron Tablets Code 2792A
Nitrate #1 Tablets Code 2799A
*Nitrate #2 Tablets Code NN-3703A
Wide Range pH Tablets Code 6459A
Phosphorus Tablets Code 5422A

®

in a cool, dry place and only open the foil when ready to use the tablet. A

®

should not be

*WARNING: Reagents marked with an * are considered to be potential health hazards. To view or print a

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SAFETY NOTE: Wear eye protection during experiments. Wash hands after performing experiments.
Follow all safety rules and guidelines provided by your school or organization regarding laboratory and
outdoor activities.

5

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COLLECTING A WATER SAMPLE...

It is a good idea to collect several samples from each test site. For best results, test all samples as soon as
possible or within one hour of collection.

Collect the water sample in a clean, plastic or glass container with a cap. In
general, the sample should be handled in such a way as to prevent changes due
to biological activity, physical variations, or chemical reactions. The sample
container should be rinsed with sample water and filled completely to prevent
the loss of dissolved gases.

Whenever possible, perform the Dissolved Oxygen and BOD procedures at the
sampling site immediately.

6

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TEST PROCEDURES...

ALKALINITY • MODULE 5893

Alkalinity refers to the ability of water to neutralize acids as they are added to or created in the aquatic
ecosystem. This neutralization process is called buffering, and is critical to maintaining proper pH levels.
A healthy, productive freshwater lake has a pH of about 8. Natural pH buffers, primarily carbonates and
bicarbonates, help to maintain the pH at this level and to prevent drastic pH fluctuations. A temporary loss
of buffering capacity can permit the pH to drop to levels that are harmful to aquatic life. For example, an
entire season of acidic precipitation can be stored in the form of snow and ice, so areas which receive a lot of
snow melt in the spring are especially susceptible to seasonal loss of buffering capacity.

Buffering materials in the water are produced by leaching of the rocks and soil through which the water
flows.

Alkalinity is usually expressed as parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate (CaCO
100 to 200 ppm will stabilize the pH level in a body of water. Levels between 20 and 200 are typically found
in freshwater, while sea water generally has alkalinity levels from 100 to 125 ppm.

). Alkalinity levels of

3

REACTION

ALK TesTabs® (3920A) contain a known amount of acid and Bromcresol Green-Methyl Red indicator.
Tablets are added until the pH of the sample drops to a specific level indicated when the color changes from
green to pink. If a lot of acid is required to change the sample pH, the sample is highly buffered, meaning that
it has a high alkalinity. If very little acid is required to change the sample pH, the sample is weakly buffered
and has a low alkalinity.

PROCEDURE

41 2 3

Record the result as
ppm Total Alkalinity.

Fill the test tube
(0788) to the
100 mL line.

Add Alk TesTabs® (3920A), one at
a time, until the color of the solution
changes from green to pink and matches the
Alkalinity color chart (5893-CC). Make sure
to mix until each tablet has totally
disintegrated before adding the next tablet.

# of tablets

x 40

alkalinity

Multiply the number
of tablets used by 40.

7

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AMMONIA • MODULE 5894

Ammonia is present in variable amounts in many surface and ground waters. The primary sources of
ammonia in water are bacterial decomposition of organic waste and excretions of aquatic animals. Ammonia
serves as a source of nitrogen, which is used as a nutrient for the growth of aquatic plants.

Ammonia exists in water as two forms, un-ionized (NH

) and ionized (NH4). Un-ionized ammonia is toxic

3

to fish while the ionized form is non-toxic, except at extremely high levels. The relative proportions of each
form present are regulated by pH and temperature.

Ammonia is usually present in low quantities (less than 1 ppm) in non-polluted, well-oxygenated waters, but
may reach levels of 5 to 10 ppm in areas with low dissolved oxygen and large amounts of decaying organic
materials.

REACTION

Ammonia #1 TesTabs® (3968A) and Ammonia #2 TesTabs® (3969A) contain lithium hypochlorite and
sodium salicylate. Ammonia reacts with salicylate at high pH in the presence of a chlorine donor and an iron
catalyst to form an indophenol dye in proportion to the amount of ammonia in the sample.

PROCEDURE

41 2 3 5

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the
5 mL line.

Add one *Ammonia
#1 TesTab (3968A).

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

Add one *Ammonia
#2 TesTab (3969A).

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

ammonia

0

1

2

4

6 7

5

Compare the
color of the sample to

Wait 5 minutes.

the Ammonia color
chart (5894-CC).
Record result as ppm
Ammonia.

8

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CHLORIDE • MODULE 5895

squares through the tube

Record the result as ppm

Chloride is one of the major anions found in water and sewage. The presence of chlorides in large amounts
may be due to the natural process of water passing through salt formations in the earth, or it may be evidence
of the intrusion of sea water or pollution from industrial or domestic wastes. Chloride gives water a salty taste.

Drinking water standards recommend a maximum chloride concentration of 250 ppm.
Salinity is an important water quality measurement that is related to chloride. It is the total of all salts

dissolved in water. The salt content of water affects the distribution of plant and animal life in an
aquatic system, based on the amount of salt they can tolerate. Salinity can be calculated from chloride
concentrations, and is usually expressed as parts-per-thousand (ppt), ranging from 0 ppt in freshwater, up to
35 ppt in sea water.

REACTION

Chloride TesTabs® (3885A) contain silver nitrate which reacts with chloride to form silver chloride. Silver
chloride in water creates a turbid solution.

PROCEDURE

FRESHWATER

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the

Add one *Chloride
TesTab (3885A).

10 mL line.

Sample should be at room temperature.

Salt Water on next page....

Cap the tube & mix
gently until the tablet
has disintegrated.

9

chloride

0

20

40

60

41 2 3 5

Place the tube
over the left-hand
column of black
squares on the
Freshwater Chloride
color chart (5895-CC).

Compare the

chloride

appearance of the

to the squares in the
right-hand column.

Chloride.

0

20

40

60

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SALT WATER

1 2 3

Use the pipet
(30444) to add
6 drops of the
sample water to
the large round
tube (0788).

6 7

Compare the appearance
of the squares through the
tube to the squares in the
right-hand column.

Fill the tube to the
100 mL line with
distilled or deionized
water.

0

20

40

chloride

Multiply the test

60

results by 400. Record
the result as ppm
Chloride.

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the 10 mL
line with the diluted
sample from Step 2.

Sample should be at
room temperature.

4

Add one
*Chloride TesTab
(3885A). Cap tube
and mix until the
tablet has
disintegrated.

To convert ppm Chloride to ppt Salinity:

ppt Salinity = (0.001805 x ppm Chloride) + 0.03

5

Place the tube
over the left-hand
column of black
squares on the Salt
Water Chloride color
chart (5895-CC2).

chloride

0

20

40

60

10

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CHLORINE • MODULE 5896

Chlorine is not present in natural waters, and is found only as a result of chlorination of a water supply. It is
widely used for sterilization and disinfection in municipal water supplies, swimming pools and spas, food and
beverage processing, and in medical facilities such as dialysis units.

Swimming pools generally have a chlorine concentration of 1 to 3 ppm, while levels in drinking water are
maintained below 0.5 ppm. High levels of chlorine can be harmful or fatal to plants and fish.

REACTION

DPD #4R TesTabs® (6899A) contain diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD). When chlorine oxidizes DPD, a
pink color is formed in proportion to the chlorine concentration.

PROCEDURE

Fill the test
tube (0106) to
the 5 mL line.

Add one DPD
#4R TesTab
(6899A).

Cap the tube
and mix until
the tablet has
disintegrated.

chlorine

0

1

3

5

41 2 3

Compare
the color of
the sample to the
Chlorine color chart
(5896-CC). Record the
result as ppm Total
Chlorine.

11

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CHROMIUM • MODULE 5897

Chromium compounds may be found in natural waters in trace amounts ranging from 0.003 to 0.040 ppm. It
may also be present in water containing waste from industrial processes such as metal plating, or in overflow
waters from large air conditioning units, where chromium is frequently added to cooling water to control
corrosion. Chromium is one of a class of heavy metals sometimes found in the bottom mud of polluted bodies
of water. It is considered to be a toxic chemical. Certain shellfish are capable of concentrating this element,
endangering the health of consumer organisms, human or animal.

Chromium levels over 0.5 ppm are evidence of pollution from untreated or incompletely treated waste.

REACTION

Chromium TesTabs® (3889A) contain 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide. Chromium reacts with
1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide under acidic conditions to form a red-purple color in proportion to the amount
of chromium present.

PROCEDURE

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the
10 mL line.

Add one
*Chromium TesTab
(3889A).

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

12

41 2 3 5

3

Wait 3 minutes.

0

1

Compare the
color of the

chromium

2

4

sample to the
Chromium color chart
(5897-CC). Record
result as ppm
Chromium.

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COPPER • MODULE 5898

Copper is usually found only in small amounts (less than 1 ppm) in natural waters. Elevated amounts may
be due to industrial effluents or corrosion of pipes and fittings. Copper is also added to swimming pool and
aquarium water to control algae and bacteria. Concentrations of 1.0 ppm or higher may give water a bitter
taste, and may cause staining and discoloration.

The copper content of drinking water is generally below 0.03 ppm, but occasionally ranges up to 0.6 ppm in
some areas.

REACTION

Copper TesTabs® (3701A) contain Zincon. Zincon chelates with copper to produce a blue color. Zincon is
orange in solution when no copper is present.

PROCEDURE

Fill the test
tube (0106) to
the 10 mL
line.

Add one
Copper HR
TesTab (3701A).

Cap the tube
and mix until
the tablet has
disintegrated.

copper

0

1.5

2

4

41 2 3

Compare
the color of
the sample to the
Copper color chart
(5898-CC). Record the
result as ppm Copper.

13

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DISSOLVED OXYGEN/BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND • MODULE 5889

Fish, invertebrates, plants, and aerobic bacteria all require oxygen for respiration. Oxygen dissolves readily
into water from the atmosphere until the water is saturated. Once dissolved in water the oxygen diffuses
very slowly, and distribution depends upon the movement of the aerated water. Oxygen is also produced by
aquatic plants, algae, and phytoplankton as a by-product of photosynthesis.

Aquatic organisms require different amounts of dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen levels below 3 ppm are
stressful to most aquatic organisms. Dissolved oxygen levels below 2 or 1 ppm will not support fish. Levels of
5 to 6 ppm are usually required for the growth and activity of aquatic organisms.

REACTION

Dissolved Oxygen TesTabs® (3976A) contain sodium citrate and 2,4-diaminophenol dihydrochloride.
Dissolved Oxygen, in a solution buffered by sodium citrate, oxidizes a proportionate amount of
2,4-diaminophenol dihydrochloride to produce a colored solution.

PROCEDURE

1 2

Fill a small test tube
(0125) to overflowing
with sample water.

5

5

Wait 5 minutes.

Add two Dissolved
Oxygen TesTabs®
(3976A) to the test
tube.

6

Compare the
color of the
sample to the Dissolved
Oxygen color chart (6663).
Record the result as ppm
Dissolved Oxygen.

Cap the tube. Be
sure no air bubbles
are in the sample.

0 ppm

4 ppm

OXYGEN

8 ppm

dissolved

3

4

Mix by inverting
until the tablets
have disintegrated
(about 4 minutes).

14

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BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD 5 -DAY)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the quantity of dissolved oxygen used by bacteria as
they break down organic wastes. In slow moving and polluted waters, much of the available dissolved oxygen
is consumed by bacteria, robbing other aquatic organisms of the dissolved oxygen needed to live.

PROCEDURE

Fill a small test tube
(0125) to overflowing
with sample water.

Mix by inverting
until the tablets
have disintegrated
(about 4 minutes).

ppm Dissolved Oxygen

BOD =

2

Cap and wrap
the tube with
aluminum foil and
store it in a dark place
at room temperature
for 5 days.

6

Wait 5 minutes.

(original sample)

5 days

5

41 3

Unwrap the tube.
Add two Dissolved
Oxygen TesTabs®
(3976A) to the test
tube.

75

Compare the color of the sample
to the BOD color chart (5889-CC).
The difference between the Dissolved Oxygen
result and the BOD result is the Biochemical
Oxygen Demand. Record the result as ppm
BOD.

ppm Dissolved Oxygen

(after 5 days)

Cap the tube. Be
sure no air bubbles
are in the sample.

OXYGEN

dissolved

0 ppm

4 ppm

8 ppm

15

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HARDNESS • MODULE 5899

Hardness refers primarily to the amount of calcium and magnesium ions in water. Other ions contribute
to hardness also, but are usually present in insignificant amounts. Calcium and magnesium enter the water
mainly by the leaching of rocks and soil. Calcium is an important component of aquatic plant cell walls and
also the shells and bones of many aquatic organisms. Magnesium is an essential nutrient and is a component
of chlorophyll.

Hardness is usually expressed as parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate (CaCO

). These results can be

3

expressed as calcium or magnesium by multiplying by 0.4 for calcium and 0.24 for magnesium.
Waters with calcium levels of 10 ppm or less can support only sparse plant and animal life. Levels of 25 ppm

or more are typical of waters having excessive levels of plant nutrients, and may contribute to excessive algae
growth. Typical levels of magnesium in freshwater range from 5 to 50 ppm. Sea water contains high levels of
both calcium and magnesium. Typical sea water contains 400 ppm calcium and 1350 ppm magnesium, which
adds up to a total hardness of above 6625 ppm.

Water with a low level of hardness is generally referred to as “soft”, while water with a high level of hardness
is described as “hard”. Hard water can cause problems in home and industrial water systems, including scaly
deposits in plumbing and appliances, and decreased cleaning action of soaps and detergents.Water with total
hardness from 0 to 60 ppm is soft, from 60 to 120 ppm is medium hard, from 120 to 180 ppm is hard, and
above 180 ppm is considered very hard.

REACTION

Hardness T TesTabs® (6917A) contain Eriochrome Black T indicator which is blue in pure water. If calcium

®

or magnesium ions are present, they combine with the indicator to form a red complex. The TesTabs
also contain EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). EDTA is a chelant which pulls the calcium and
magnesium away from the red colored complex. The EDTA is added in known amounts until all of the
calcium and magnesium have been chelated away from the complex and the indicator returns to the blue
color. The amount of EDTA required to cause the color change is a direct indication of the amount of
calcium and magnesium in the sample.

Procedure on next page....

16

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PROCEDURE

FRESHWATER

Fill the test tube
(0788) to the 50 mL
line.

SALT WATER

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the 5 mL
line.

5

Add *Hardness T TesTabs® (6917A),
one at a time, until the color of the
solution changes from red to blue and
matches the Freshwater Hardness color chart
(5899-CC). Make sure to mix until each tablet
has totally disintegrated before adding the next
tablet.

Pour this sample
into the large round
tube (0788) and
dilute to the 50 mL
line with distilled or
deionized water.

Add *Hardness T TesTabs® (6917A)
one at a time until the color of the
solution changes from red to blue and matches
the Salt Water Hardness color chart (5899-CC2).
Make sure to mix until each tablet has totally
disintegrated before adding the next tablet.

# of tablets

x 40

hardness

Multiply the number
of tablets used by 40.

41 2 3

Record the result as
ppm Total Hardness.

41 2 3

# of tablets

x 800

hardness

Multiply the number
of tablets used by 800.

Record the result as
ppm Total Hardness.

17

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IRON • MODULE 5900

color chart (5900-CC).

Iron is present in most natural waters, and is an important nutrient for many organisms. Soil and rocks
provide the most common sources of iron in water. Industrial waste, such as acid mine drainage, can
contribute to elevated levels. Concentrations can vary from trace amounts (0.1 ppm) up to several parts per
million. Large amounts of iron in the water will cause problems such as orange stains on porcelain fixtures
and laundry, and may cause undesirable taste and color in drinking water and beverages.

Iron concentrations should not exceed 0.2 ppm for domestic use, and for some industrial applications, not
even trace amounts can be tolerated.

REACTION

Total Iron TesTabs® (2792A) contain bipyridyl. Ferric iron is reduced to ferrous iron and subsequently forms
a colored complex with bipyridyl for a quantitative measure of total iron.

PROCEDURE

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the
5 mL line.

Add one *Total Iron
TesTab (2792A).

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

41 2 3 5

5

Wait 5 minutes.

Compare the

iron

color of the
sample to the Iron

Record result as ppm
Iron.

0

1

5

10

18

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NITRATE • MODULE 5891

Nitrogen is a nutrient that acts as a fertilizer for aquatic plants. When nitrogen levels are high, excessive
plant and algae growth creates water quality problems. Nitrogen enters the water from human and animal
waste, decomposing organic matter, and lawn and crop fertilizer run-off. Nitrogen occurs in water as Nitrate

), Nitrite (NO2), and Ammonia (NH3).

(NO

3

Unpolluted waters usually have a nitrate level below 4 ppm. Nitrate levels above 40 ppm are considered
unsafe for drinking water.

REACTION

Nitrate #1 TesTabs® (2799A) contain sulfamic acid which destroys any nitrite that will give a positive

®

interference. Nitrate #2 TesTabs

(NN-3703A) contain zinc, which reduces the nitrate to nitrite, and

chromotropic acid which reacts with the nitrite to form a pink color.

PROCEDURE

41 2 3

Add one *Nitrate
#2 CTA TesTab
(NN-3703A).

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the 5 mL
line.

Cap the tube
& mix for two
minutes to
disintegrate
the tablet.

Add one
Nitrate #1
TesTab (2799A).

65

Wait 5 minutes.
Remove the tube
from the Protective
Sleeve.

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

7

5

Compare the
color of sample to the
Nitrate color chart
(5891-CC). Record the
result as ppm Nitrate.

Immediately slide
the test tube into
the Protective Sleeve
(0106-FP).

NOTE: Nitrate #2 CTA Tablets

0

20

(NN-3703A) are sensitive to UV

40

light. The Protective Sleeve (0106-

80

nitrate

FP) will protect the reaction from UV
light. If testing indoors, there is no
need to use the Protective Sleeve in
this procedure.

19

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pH • MODULE 5890

The pH test is one of the most common analyses in water testing. pH is a measurement of the activity of
hydrogen ions in a water sample. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Water samples with a pH below 7.0 are
considered acidic, those above 7.0 are basic, with 7.0 considered neutral.

A pH range of 6.5 to 8.2 is optimal for most aquatic organisms. Rapidly growing algae and vegetation remove
carbon dioxide (CO

Most natural waters have pH values from 5.0 to 8.5. Acidic, freshly fallen rain water may have a pH of 5.5 to

6.0. Alkaline soils and minerals can raise the pH to 8.0 to 8.5. Sea water usually has a pH value close to 8.0.

REACTION

pH Wide Range TesTabs® (6459A) contain mixed pH indicators which are sensitive to pH and undergo
specific color changes with variation in pH.

PROCEDURE

Fill the test
tube (0106) to
the 10 mL line.

) from the water during photosynthesis. This can result in a significant increase in pH.

2

4

Add one pH
Wide Range
TesTab (6459A).

Cap the tube
and mix until
the tablet has
disintegrated.

41 2 3

Compare
the color of
the sample to the pH
color chart (5890-CC).
Record the result as

pH

WIDE RANGE

8

5

9

6

10

7

11

pH.

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PHOSPHATE • MODULE 5892

Phosphorus is a nutrient that acts as a fertilizer for aquatic plants. When nutrient levels are high, excessive
plant and algae growth creates water quality problems. Phosphorus occurs in natural waters in the form of
phosphate (PO

Phosphate levels higher than 0.03 ppm contribute to increased plant growth.

REACTION

Phosphorus TesTabs® (5422A) contain ammonium molybdate which reacts with phosphorus to form a
phosphomolybdate complex. This is reduced to a blue complex by ascorbic acid.

PROCEDURE

). Over half of the phosphates in lakes, streams, and rivers come from detergents.

4

Fill the test tube
(0106) to the 5 mL
line.

Add one Phosphorus
TesTab (5422A).

Cap the tube & mix
until the tablet has
disintegrated.

41 2 3 5

5

Wait 5 minutes.

Compare the
color of the

sample to the

phosphate

Phosphate color chart
(5892-CC). Record
result as ppm
Phosphate.

0

1

2

4

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TEST RESULTS

Photocopy for use

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
Sampling Site: ____________________________ Sample #: ________________________________

FACTOR RESULT

Alkalinity
Ammonia
Chloride
Chlorine
Chromium
Copper
Dissolved Oxygen
BOD
Hardness
Iron
Nitrate
pH
Phosphate

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ORDERING INFORMATION

THE TESTABS® WATER INVESTIGATION KIT • MODEL AM-12 • CODE 5849

Test modules available separately.

CODE DESCRIPTION

5893 Alkalinity Module
5894 Ammonia Module
5895 Chloride Module
5896 Chlorine Module
5897 Chromium Module
5898 Copper Module
5889 Dissolved Oxygen/BOD Module
5899 Hardness Module
5900 Iron Module
5891 Nitrate Module
5890 pH Module
5892 Phosphate Module
1507 The Monitor’s Handbook

23

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