wa ‘Lb \ Experiment 21: To test for some pollutants in water Cyanide, nitrate, phosphate and lead (11) ions are some pollutants found in water. Cyanide is converted to thiocyanate when it reacts with sulphur. The thiocyanate ion is found in waste water from the mining of precious metals and coal factories. Some pesticides also use thiocyanate as the active ingredient. Phosphates and nitrates which are present in laundry detergents and fertilizers also find their way into waterways. {n this experiment, tests are carried out for SCN”, NO}, PO,” and Pb” ions. SCN’ gives a blood red colour on adding aqueous iron (111) nitrate, PO,” gives a bright yellow precipitate when warmed with ammonium molybdate The brown ring test is used for NOs. Pb* gives a white precipitate on addition of hydrochloric acid. |Apparatus & material ig © Samples of polluted water P,Q and R (key to unknown) 0.1mol dm’® iron (111) nitrate solution 0.1mol dm? ammonium molybdate solid iron (11) sulphate cone, H;SO, conc. HNO; bench HCI and H;SO, Ako ope.cs ee tubes a pala 1. Add iron (111) nitrate drop by drop to 2cm’ of sample P. Record your observations.