Iron is the second most abundant metal in the earth's crust. Dissolved iron in water, causes the water to taste metallic. The water may also be discolored due to suspended solids containing minerals of iron that appear brownish in color. Iron will leave red or orange rust stains in the sink, toilet and bathtub. It can build up in your dishwasher and discolor ceramic dishes. It can also enter into the laundry equipment and cause stains on clothing. “Even though the EPA says that the iron in the drinking water is safe to drink, the iron sediments, other trace impurities may support bacteria that are harmful, and these bacteria are mostly found in wells where the water has not been chlorinated. Therefore, the following are procedures for determination of iron in water and wastewater.

Material and apparatus

•  Spectrophotometer

•  Samples cells

•  FerroVer Iron Reagent Powder Pillow

Procedures:

·         Turn on spectrometer

·         Select the test

·         Prepared sample: Fill a clean sample cell with 10 mL of sample

·         Add the contents of one FerroVer Iron Reagent Powder Pillow to the sample cell. Swirl to mix. Accuracy is not affected by undissolved powder.

·         Start the instrument timer. A three-minute reaction period will begin. An orange color will form, if iron is present. (Allow samples that contain rust to react for at least 5minutes.)

·         Blank preparation: Fill a second sample cell with 10 mL of sample.

·         When the timer expires, insert the blank into the cell holder.

·         ZERO the instrument. The display will show: 0.00 mg/L Fe

·         Insert the prepared sample into the cell holder. READ the results in mg/L Fe.

References

1. Sadhana C.; Ananda Dev G.; Handbook of Water, Air and Soil Analysis; a Lab Manual; International-E-Publication;2014

2.Frank R.Spellman; Handbook of water and wastewater treatment plant operations; Lewis publishers;2003

3.Leena Deshpande;Water Quality Analysis Laboratory methods; New Delhi; India.