How to Do a Lab Experiment: 10 Steps

  Abstract 

This lab experiment was carried out for the purpose of determining water quality and contamination for different water samples. Tap water, Dasani and Fiji bottled water were used as the main water samples in the experiment. The research was conducted to explore the levels of different chemical compounds in bottled and tap water. The results obtained would then be used to determine if there are any health benefits of drinking bottled water. A hypothesis was developed for the experiment. Hypothesis = Dasani Bottled water contains least contaminants than Fiji Bottled water and tap water. The main assumptions here were that it has undergone an extensive treatment and purification process as compared to the others. Ammonia, chloride, potassium, iron, pH and a 4 in 1 test were used to test for the chemical compounds in the water samples. The results indicated that Dasani bottled water has the highest pH level with a reading of 3 as compared to Fiji bottled and tap water with readings of 8 and 9 respectively. The hypothesis is therefore rejected since the findings indicate that Dasani bottled water is dangerous for human consumption. 

Introduction 

Without a doubt, water accounts for the most valuable and important resources on earth. Water is not only essential for drinking, but it also facilitates survival through shelter creation, food production, among several other necessities. Salzman (2013) notes that even though over 70 percent of the earth is comprised of water, only a very small percentage of this water is fresh and usable. The chemical and mineral composition of drinking water determines if it is safe for human consumption. Drinking contaminated water has several dangers, and it poses severe effects on the health of those who consume it. It is, therefore, very necessary to come up with a treatment plan to purify the water and make it fit for consumption. The filtration processes and purification procedures used in many companies contribute to the resulting chemicals in drinking water ( Clarke, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives & Polaris Institute, 2007 ). Tap water on the other hand does not undergo the extensive processes that are carried out in bottling companies and as such, it may be safe for drinking. 

Bottled water Companies are currently doing very well in the United States. It is, therefore, no doubt that many people hold on to the notion that bottled water is safer and has more health benefits than tap water. For this reason, the experiment was conducted to determine the levels of chemical compounds in bottled and tap water. Since bottled water has been taken through a series of cleaning and filtration processes before packaging, it was important to determine if it has any health benefits. 

Materials and Methods 

This section outlines the materials and methods used for levels of different chemicals found in different water samples: tap water, Dasani water, and Fiji water. This experiment requires Dasani bottled water, Fiji bottled water, Jiffy Juice, Ammonia test strips, Chloride test strips, 4 in 1 test strips, Phosphate test strips, Iron test strips, three 250 mL Beakers, three 100 mL Beakers, one 100 mL Graduated Cylinder, Permanent marker, Stopwatch, Parafilm, Pipettes, three Foil packets of reducing powder, and tap water ( Bottcher & Rex, 2012 ). 

Ammonia Test Strips. In this procedure, the ammonia test strip is placed in a container with a sample of tap water and vigorously moved up and down for a period of 30 seconds. It is imperative for one to ensure that the pads are fully immerse in the water during this process. The test strip is then removed from the water and shaken off to remove excess water. The final step entails holding the test strip level with the pad side facing up for 30 seconds. The color of the pad is then compared to the color chart. After this, the procedure is repeated for Dasani and Fiji bottled water. 

Chloride Test Strips. The first step is to immerse all the reaction zones of the test strip into a sample of tap water for a second. The excess water should then be shaken off from the test strip and after a minute, one should determine the color row in the pad that coincides with the color chart. The procedure was repeated for Dasani and Fiji bottled water. 

4 in 1 Test Strip. Here, the test strip is dipped in tap water for 5 seconds in a gentle back and forth motion. The test strip is then be removed from the water and shaken briskly to remove excess water. After this procedure, we wait for 20 seconds before recording the test results based on the color chart. This will reflect the total alkalinity, total chlorine and total hardness. All the readings should be done in seconds from each other. The steps should be repeated for Fiji and Dasani bottle water. 

Phosphate Test Strip. In this test, phosphate test strips are used for the purpose of testing for phosphates in the water samples. In this test, the strips are dipped into a container filled with tap water for around 5 seconds. The strip is then removed from the water and held horizontally with the pad side up for 45 seconds. It is imperative to note that the excess water from the strip should not be shaken off from the test strip. The results on the test strip are then compared to the color chart. This procedure should be repeated for Dasani and Fiji bottled water. 

Iron Test Strip. This test involves labelling three 100 mL beakers as tap water, Dasani and Fiji. The cylinder is the used to measure 30 mL of each water sample from the 250 mL beaker. The sample is poured into the 100 mL beaker and the steps repeated for the other water samples. Next, one foil packet of reducing powder is added to all the water samples in the 100 mL beakers. The beakers are then covered with a pieces of Parafilm and shaken vigorously for a period of 15 seconds. After this, the iron test films are located and the Parafilm removed. The test pads of the iron test strips are then dipped into the water samples and rapidly moved back and forth while immersed in the water for 5 seconds. In the final step, the strip is removed from the water and shaken to remove excess water. The test pad is then compared to the color pad after 10 seconds and the results recorded in a table. 

pH Test. This procedure involves filling the 100 mL graduated cylinder with 25 mL of tap water, Fiji and Dasani bottled water in separate test experiments. A pipette was then used to add 5mL of each water sample to the cylinder. The solution is then mixed gentle with the pipette or swirling the liquid. After this has been done, the color of the water sample in the container should be compared for all three solutions. The results of the three samples should be made depending on their color in the pH chart. 

Results 

Table 1: Ammonia Test Results
Water Sample	Test Results (mg/L)
Tap Water	0 mg/L
Dasani Bottled Water	0 mg/L
Fiji Bottled Water	0 mg/L

Table 2: Chloride Test Results
Water Sample	Test Results (mg/L)
Tap Water	0 mg/L
Dasani Bottled Water	0 mg/L
Fiji Bottled Water	0 mg/L

Table 3: 4 in 1 Test Results
Water Sample	Total Alkalinity (mg/L)	Total Chlorine (mg/L)	Total Hardness (mg/L)
Tap Water	80	4.0	50
Dasani Bottled Water	0	0	50
Fiji Bottled Water	40	4.0	120

Table 4: Phosphate Test Results
Water Sample	Test Results (ppm)
Tap Water	25
Dasani Bottled Water	50
Fiji Bottled Water	25

Table 5: Iron Test Results
Water Sample	Test Results (ppm)
Tap Water	0
Dasani Bottled Water	0
Fiji Bottled Water	0

Table 6: PH Results
Water Sample	Test Results
Tap Water	9
Dasani Bottled Water	3
Fiji Bottled Water	8

Dasani bottled water had the highest concentration of phosphate at 50ppm whereas Fiji bottled water and tap water had the same reading of 25ppm. The results in the 4 in one tests were as follows. Fiji and tap water had a total alkalinity of 500 mg/L whereas Dasani had 40 mg/L. The total chlorine and total hardness readings for Fiji and tap water was also the same at 0.2 and 50 mg/L respectively. Dasani tested negative for both chlorine and hardness. 

All the water samples tested negative for the chloride, ammonia, and iron tests. From the chemical analysis, we can see that Dasani water contains the highest levels of acidity, phosphate content, alkalinity levels, but no hardness at all compared with the rest. Tap water and Fiji bottled water both portrayed similar properties except that tap water had a higher pH level of 9 compared to that of Fiji bottled water which is 8. Therefore, we reject the hypothesis using the results obtained. The experiment proves that Dasani bottled water has very high acid levels with a PH of 3 which makes it dangerous for human consumption. The alkalinity level is 40, which is pretty low to counter the acidity. 

Discussion 

The results from this research experiment indicate that Dasani water contains higher levels of acid, which may be dangerous for human consumption. The acidity of bottled water has become a big health concern for individuals in the 21st century. Most of the methods that are used to purify water in bottling companies involve extreme filtration and ozonation, which instead of making water healthier for consumption, make it more acidic ( Stephenson, 2009 ). This accounts for the high levels of acidity in Dasani bottled water. Lack of iron in the water comes as a result of extreme filtration processes which removes all healthy minerals from water. 

This lab experiment brings us to question the issue of various treatment methods to purify drinking water. Do the treatment methods have a direct correlation to the acidity of drinking bottled water? The findings from this research provided a basis for understanding the role of extreme filtration methods in bottled drinking water. A research done by Hinds (2011) shows that many bottling companies produce dead drinking water that is deficient in healthy minerals. The health benefits of drinking water also come to light when evaluating the composition of different minerals in water. The standards which guide the qualities of safe drinking water must therefore be outlined in future research studies. Microbiological and chemical mineral analysis tests can be used to study the safety of water based on the above factors. A detailed examination of the filtration processes for different bottling companies is also important because it will demonstrate the role of these processes in increased acidity levels in bottled water ( Fewtrell et al., 2001 ). 

Conclusion 

The main aim of this lab experiment was to establish whether bottled drinking water is healthy for consumption. The research was conducted to establish the chemical and mineral compositions of tap, Dasani, and Fiji bottled water. Different lab procedures involving strip tests were used in the methodology section. The results indicated that Dasani water was the most acidic and as such, it is dangerous for consumption. From these findings, it was possible to establish the direct connection of extreme purification and filtration processes used in bottling companies to the high levels of acidity in bottled drinking water. 

References  

Bottcher, A., & Rex, A. (2012). Environmental science student manual. Sheridan, CO: eScience Labs. 

Clarke, T., Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, & Polaris Institute. (2007).  Inside the bottle: Exposing of the bottled water industry . Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 

Fewtrell, L., & Bartram, J. (Eds.). (2001).  Water Quality: Guidelines, Standards & Health . IWA publishing. 

Hinds, J. (2011).  What's in your water? The shocking truth about bottled water and tap water and how you can protect yourself . Newark, NJ: J.A.H Enterprises, LCC. 

Salzman, J. (2013).  Drinking water: a history . Gerald Duckworth & Co. 

Stephenson, J. B. (2009).  Bottled water: FDA safety and consumer protections are often less stringent than comparable EPA protections for tap water . DIANE Publishing.