Determination of Dissolved Oxygen

The extent of pollution of a body of water may be correlated to the amount of dissolved oxygen.
The presence of oxidizable pollutants in water contributes to the depletion of dissolved oxygen.
The ability of a body of water to support aquatic life depends on the amount of dissolved oxygen.
The amount of dissolved oxygen may be determined from the ability of a water sample to
oxidize a good reducing agent such as I-. The quantity of dissolved oxygen is expressed in ppm
(parts per million) which represents the mg of oxygen present in 1 liter of water sample. The
minimum value of dissolved O2 needed to support marine life is 7 ppm.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Measure 250 mL of the water sample into a 500-mL iodine flask.
2. Acidify with 10 mL of dilute HCI and add 10 mL of KI solution.
3. Stopper tightly to prevent oxidation of the iodide ion by atmospheric oxygen.
4. Add 2 mL of starch solution. The solution in the flask should turn blue.
5. By means of a 2-mL pipet, add 0.05 N Na2S2O3 solution drop by drop until the blue color
disappears leaving a colorless solution.
6. Repeat the procedure for a second trial.
7. Record the data on the report sheet.
The weight of O2 present in the sample and the value of dissolved O2 are computed using the
following formula:

grams of O2 present in the sample = N of Na2S2O3 x V of Na2S2O3 x 4

where: N = Normality ; V = Volume in L

1000
weight of O2 (in mg) = grams of O2 present in the sample x 1

1000
DO in ppm = weight of O2 x 1 250