LE0015(KJ1) : Laboratory Analysis of the Chemical and Physical Properties of Water

This practical and highly-interactive course includes real-life case studies and exercises where participants will be engaged in a series of interactive small groups and class workshops.

The course presents an overview of the need for analysis of water, how analytical methods are developed and quality control is applied and how the results of analysis are used. It will describe the physical, chemical and other relevant properties of water components and will also cover sampling, cleanup, extraction and derivatization procedures. Older techniques that are still in use will be compared to recently developed techniques and participants will be directed to future trends. A similar strategy will be followed for discussion of detection methods. In addition, the applications of analysis of water types (potable water, tap water, wastewater, seawater) will
be reviewed.

Because water is an excellent solvent, it dissolves many substances. To get correct results and values, analysts have to follow sample strategies. Sampling has become a quality-determining step. If samples can’t be analyzed directly they have to be stored and preserved. Physical, chemical or biological activities in a water sample can distort the chemical composition in water. Statistical treatment of data ensures the reliability of the results. Statistical methods will also be review in this course.

The course will deal with the water characteristics (physical, chemical and organoleptical) and their analysis methods. Physical characteristics of water, such as temperature, color, turbidity, etc., will be discussed, in addition to hardness, acidity, alkalinity, antioxidant demand and how dissolved oxygen is detected.

Humans both consume and pollute large quantities of water. This course will deal with injurious or toxic substances of domestic, agricultural and industrial sources: sulfuric compounds, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, organic nitrogen, phosphates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, cyanides, metals, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, PAHs, BTEX compounds, oils, greases, petroleum hydrocarbons, asbestos, silicates and surfactants. 

This course will also discuss new technologies on radionuclides and their possible health hazards in water and the whole environment. Water is a living element housing a lot of organisms, wanted or unwanted, harmful or harmless. Some of these organisms produce toxic substances. This course will discuss bacteriological and algal analysis. It will give participants detailed information on most of the cited techniques, sample preparation, separation and detection methods.