Winkler test for dissolved oxygen

The Winkler test is used to determine the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water samples. Dissolved oxygen (D.O.) is widely used in water quality studies and routine operation of water reclamation facilities. An excess of manganese(II) salt, iodide (I–) and hydroxide (OH–) ions is added to a water sample causing a white precipitate of Mn(OH)2 to form. This precipitate is then oxidized by the dissolved oxygen in the water sample into a brown manganese precipitate. In the next step, a strong acid (either hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid) is added to acidify the solution. The brown precipitate then converts the iodide ion (I–) to iodine. The amount of dissolved oxygen is directly proportional to the titration of iodine with a thiosulfate solution.[1] Today, the method is effectively used as its colorimetric modification, where the trivalent manganese produced on acidifying the brown suspension is directly reacted with EDTA to give a pink color.[2] As manganese is the only common metal giving a color reaction with EDTA, it has the added effect of masking other metals as colorless complexes.

Contents

History

The test was originally developed by Ludwig Wilhelm Winkler, in later literature referred to as Lajos Winkler, while working at Budapest University on his doctoral dissertation in 1888.[3] The amount of dissolved oxygen is a measure of the biological activity of the water masses. Phytoplankton and macroalgae present in the water mass produce oxygen by way of photosynthesis. Bacteria and eukaryotic organisms (zooplankton, algae, fish) consume this oxygen through cellular respiration. The result of these two mechanisms determines the concentration of dissolved oxygen, which in turn indicates the production of biomass. The difference between the physical concentration of oxygen in the water (or the theoretical concentration if there were no living organisms) and the actual concentration of oxygen is called the biochemical demand in oxygen. The winkler test is often controversial as it is not 100% the oxygen levels may fluctuate.

Sample method

In the first step, manganese(II) sulfate (at 48% of the total volume) is added to an environmental water sample. Next, potassium iodide (15% in potassium hydroxide 70%) is added to create a pinkish-brown precipitate. In the alkaline solution, dissolved oxygen will oxidize manganese(II) ions to the tetravalent state.

2 MnSO4(s) + O2(aq) → 2 MnO(OH)2(s)

MnO(OH)2 appears as a brown precipitate. There is some confusion about whether the oxidised manganese is tetravalent or trivalent. Some sources claim that Mn(OH)3 is the brown precipitate, but hydrated MnO2 may also give the brown colour.

4 Mn(OH)2(s) + O2(aq) + 2 H2O → 4 Mn(OH)3(s)

The second part of the Winkler test reduces (acidifies) the solution. The precipitate will dissolve back into solution. The acid facilitates the conversion by the brown, Manganese-containing precipitate of the Iodide ion into elemental Iodine.

The Mn(SO4)2 formed by the acid converts the iodide ions into iodine, itself being reduced back to manganese(II) ions in an acidic medium.

Mn(SO4)2 + 2 I–(aq) → Mn2+(aq) + I2(aq) + 2 SO42–(aq)

Thiosulfate is used, with a starch indicator, to titrate the iodine.

2 S2O32–(aq) + I2 → S4O62–(aq) + 2 I–(aq)

Analysis

From the above stoichiometric equations, we can find that:

1 mole of O2 → 2 moles of MnO(OH)2 → 2 mole of I2 → 4 mole of S2O32–

Therefore, after determining the number of moles of iodine produced, we can work out the number of moles of oxygen molecules present in the original water sample. The oxygen content is usually presented as mg/dm3.

Limitations

The success of this method is critically dependent upon the manner in which the sample is manipulated. At all stages, steps must be taken to ensure that oxygen is neither introduced to nor lost from the sample. Furthermore, the water sample must be free of any solutes that will oxidize or reduce iodine.

Instrumental methods for measurement of dissolved oxygen have widely supplanted the routine use of the Winkler test, although the test is still used to check instrument calibration.

BOD5

To determine five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), several dilutions of a sample are analyzed for dissolved oxygen before and after a five-day incubation period at 20 °C in the dark. In some cases, bacteria are used to provide a source of oxygen to the sample; these bacteria are known as "seed". The difference in DO and the dilution factor are used to calculated BOD5. The resulting number (usually reported in parts per million or milligrams per liter) is useful in determining the relative organic strength of sewage or other polluted waters.

The BOD5 test is an example of analysis that determines classes of materials in a sample.

See also

References

  1. ^ Chiya Numako and Izumi Nakai (1995). "XAFS studies of some precipitation and coloration reaction used in analytical chemistry". Physica B: Condensed Matter 208–209: 387–388. doi:10.1016/0921-4526(94)00706-2. 
  2. ^ A. H. de Carvalho, J. G. Calado and M. L. Moura, Rev. Port. Quim., 1963, 5, 15
  3. ^ Lajos Winkler (1888). "Die Bestimmung des in Wasser Gelösten Sauerstoffes". Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft 21 (2): 2843–2855. doi:10.1002/cber.188802102122. http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k90715s/f46.chemindefer. 

Further reading

Gives manganese (IV) consistently