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World Bank & Government of The Netherlands funded
Training module # WQ - 28
Major Ions in Water
New Delhi, September 1999
CSMRS Building, 4th Floor, Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas,
New Delhi – 11 00 16 India
Tel: 68 61 681 / 84 Fax: (+ 91 11) 68 61 685
E-Mail: dhvdelft@del2.vsnl.net.in
DHV Consultants BV & DELFT HYDRAULICS
with
HALCROW, TAHAL, CES, ORG & JPS
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1
Table of contents
Page
1. Module context 2
2. Module profile 3
3. Session plan 4
4. Overhead/flipchart master 5
5. Evaluation sheets 22
6. Handout 24
7. Additional handout 29
8. Main text 32
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2
1. Module context
This module presents the major inorganic ions which are significant to water quality.
Modules in which prior training is required to complete this module successfully and other
available, related modules in this category are listed in the table below.
While designing a training course, the relationship between this module and the others
would be maintained by keeping them close together in the syllabus and placing them in a
logical sequence. The actual selection of the topics and the depth of training would, of
course, depend on the training needs of the participants, i.e. their knowledge level and skills
performance upon the start of the course.
No. Module title Code Objectives
1. Basic water quality concepts WQ - 01 • Discuss the common water quality
parameters
• List important water quality issues
2. Basic chemistry conceptsa
WQ - 02 • Convert units from one to another
• Discuss the basic concepts of
quantitative chemistry
• Report analytical results with the
correct number of significant digits.
3. Basic Aquatic Chemistry
Concepts
WQ - 24 • Calculate ion concentrations from
ionisation constants
a - prerequisite
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3
2. Module profile
Title : Major Ions in Water
Target group : HIS function(s): Q2, Q3, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8
Duration : 1 session of 60 min
Objectives : After the training the participants will
• Know the major ions in water and their sources
• Understand the significance of major ion concentrations
Key concepts : • Sources of major ions in water
• Ion balance
• Hardness, SAR
• Health effects
Training methods : Lecture and discussion
Training tools
Required
: Board, flipchart, OHS,
Handouts : As provided in this module,
Further reading
and references
: • Water Quality Monitoring, ed. J. Bartram and R. Balance
• Water Quality Assessment, ed. D. Chapman, E&FN SPON,
London
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4
3. Session plan
No Activities Time Tools
1 Preparations
2 Introduction:
• Introduce the session
• Suggest a number of common aquatic ions and
ask the participants whether these would be major
or secondary constituents of groundwater
• Following discussion use overhead to confirm
10 min OHS
3 Introduction to Major Ions
• Discuss major cations and anions
• Talk about how ions become dissolved in water
• Discuss the sources of major ions
• Show how it is possible to characterise waters
graphically
10 min OHS
4 Individual Major Ions
• Discuss calcium and magnesium and what their
presence means in water
• Discuss the concept of hardness and what that
means in terms of water quality
• List other major ions and ask the participants what
their presence in water indicates
• Follow up by showing overhead of various major
ions
• Discuss sar, %Na, RSC and how it is used to
assess potential irrigation waters. Talk about the
difference between Indian and International SAR
standards. Show USDA classification
15 min OHS
5 Ion Balancing
• Talk about the technique of ion balancing and why
it is so useful to the chemical analyst and water
quality expert
• Show how ion balancing can be done and discuss
the acceptability of errors
15 min OHS
6 Wrap up and Evaluation 10 min Addl.
Handout
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4. Overhead/flipchart master
OHS format guidelines
Type of text Style Setting
Headings: OHS-Title Arial 30-36, with bottom border line (not:
underline)
Text: OHS-lev1
OHS-lev2
Arial 24-26, maximum two levels
Case: Sentence case. Avoid full text in UPPERCASE.
Italics: Use occasionally and in a consistent way
Listings: OHS-lev1
OHS-lev1-Numbered
Big bullets.
Numbers for definite series of steps. Avoid
roman numbers and letters.
Colours: None, as these get lost in photocopying and
some colours do not reproduce at all.
Formulas/
Equations
OHS-Equation Use of a table will ease horizontal alignment
over more lines (columns)
Use equation editor for advanced formatting
only
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6
Major Ions in Water
• Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater
• Sources
• Water Characterisation
• Water Quality Consequences
• Ion Balancing
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7
Major constituents
(1.0 to 1000 mg/L)
Secondary Constituents
(0.01 to 10.0 mg/L)
Sodium Iron
Calcium Strontium
Magnesium Potassium
Bicarbonate Carbonate
Sulphate Nitrate
Chloride Fluoride
Silica Boron
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 8
Major Cations and Anions in Water
CATIONS ANIONS
Calcium (Ca2+
) Bicarbonate (HCO3
-
)/
Carbonate (CO3
2-
)
Magnesium (Mg2+
) Sulphate (SO4
2-
)
Sodium (Na+
) Chloride (Cl-
)
Potassium (K+
)
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 9
Sources (1)
• Atmospheric Gases Dissolved by Rain and their Reactions
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulphur oxides (SOx)
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Sources (2)
Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum, aragonite, calcite,
pyroxenes, dolomite, clay minerals
Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes, dolomite,
magnesite, clay minerals
Sodium Feldspars, clays, halite, mirabilite, industrial wastes
Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas, clays
Bicarbonate/
Carbonate
Limestone, dolomite
Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum, anhydrite
Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock
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Water Characterisation (1)
Mg
Na + K
Ca
Cl
SO4
CO3 + HCO3
Equivalentspermillion->
A B DC
Bar Graphs for 4 different samples
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Water Characterisation (2)
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Water Characterisation (3)
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Water Quality Consequences
• Calcium and Magnesium
- Cause hardness when combined with HCO-3
, CO2
-3
, SO2
-4
etc
- Ca2+
normally below 15 mg/l
- Ca2+
can be above 100 mg/l in carbonate-rich rocks
- Mg2+
normally between 1 and 50 mg/l depending upon rock type
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 15
Hardness Classification
Hardness (mg/L
as Ca CO3)
Classification
0 - 75 Soft
75 - 150 Moderately hard
150 - 300 Hard
Over 300 Very hard
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 16
Other Major Ions Major Ions in Water
- Sodium – high levels often associated with pollution
- Potassium – generally low (<10) in natural fresh waters
- Bicarbonate normally ranges from 25 to 400 mg/l
- Carbonate in fresh waters is normally dilute (<10 mg/l)
- Sulphate is normally between 2 and 80 mg/l
- Chloride is normally less than 40 mg/l in unpolluted waters
- Nitrate is significant in some areas
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 17
Health Effects
- Nitrate
- Fluoride
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
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Irrigation Water Quality (1)
• Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) - in milliequivalents/L
( )
SAR
Na
Ca Mg
=
+
+
+ +2 2
2
International SAR Standards Indian SAR Standard
SAR < 3: suitable for irrigation SAR > 26 unsuitable for irrigation
SAR 3 – 9: use may be restricted
SAR > 9 unsuitable for irrigation
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 19
Irrigation Water Quality (2)
• Percent Sodium = Na+
/ (Ca++
+ Mg++
+ Na+
+ K+
) x 100
- should be less than 60
• Residual Sodium Carbonate
RSC = (CO3
--
+ HCO3
-
) - (Ca++
+ Mg++
)
> 2.5 not suitable
1.25 - 2.5 marginal
< 1.25 safe
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 20
Irrigation Water Quality (3)
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 21
Major Ions in Water
• Ion Balancing
∑ ∑
∑ ∑
+
−
=
anionscations
anionscations
errorbalance%
- concentrations in milliequivalents.
• Error should be < 10% for surface and ground waters
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5. Evaluation sheets
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Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 24
6. Handout
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Major Ions in Water
• Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater
• Sources
• Water Characterisation
• Water Quality Consequences
• Ion Balancing
Major constituents
(1.0 to 1000 mg/L)
Secondary Constituents
(0.01 to 10.0 mg/L)
Sodium Iron
Calcium Strontium
Magnesium Potassium
Bicarbonate Carbonate
Sulphate Nitrate
Chloride Fluoride
Silica Boron
Major Cations and Anions in Water
CATIONS ANIONS
Calcium (Ca2+
) Bicarbonate (HCO3
-
)/ Carbonate (CO3
2-
)
Magnesium (Mg2+
) Sulphate (SO4
2-
)
Sodium (Na+
) Chloride (Cl-
)
Potassium (K+
)
Sources (1)
• Atmospheric Gases Dissolved by Rain and their Reactions
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulphur oxides (SOx)
Sources (2)
Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum, aragonite, calcite,
pyroxenes, dolomite, clay minerals
Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes, dolomite, magnesite,
clay minerals
Sodium Feldspars, clays, halite, mirabilite, industrial wastes
Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas, clays
Bicarbonate/Carbonate Limestone, dolomite
Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum, anhydrite
Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 26
Water Quality Consequences
• Calcium and Magnesium
- Cause hardness when combined with HCO-3, CO2-3, SO2-4 etc
- Ca2+ normally below 15 mg/l
- Ca2+ can be above 100 mg/l in carbonate-rich rocks
- Mg2+
normally between 1 and 50 mg/l depending upon rock type
Hardness Classification
Hardness (mg/L as Ca CO3) Classification
0 - 75 Soft
75 - 150 Moderately hard
150 - 300 Hard
Over 300 Very hard
Other Major Ions Major Ions in Water
- Sodium – high levels often associated with pollution
- Potassium – generally low (<10) in natural fresh waters
- Bicarbonate normally ranges from 25 to 400 mg/l
- Carbonate in fresh waters is normally dilute (<10 mg/l)
- Sulphate is normally between 2 and 80 mg/l
- Chloride is normally less than 40 mg/l in unpolluted waters
- Nitrate is significant in some areas
Health Effects
- Nitrate
- Fluoride
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
Irrigation Water Quality (1)
• Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) - in milliequivalents/L
( )
SAR
Na
Ca Mg
=
+
+
+ +2 2
2
International SAR Standards Indian SAR Standard
SAR < 3: suitable for irrigation SAR > 26 unsuitable for irrigation
SAR 3 – 9: use may be restricted
SAR > 9 unsuitable for irrigation
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 27
Irrigation Water Quality (2)
• Percent Sodium = Na+
/ (Ca++
+ Mg++
+ Na+
+ K+
) x 100
- should be less than 60
• Residual Sodium Carbonate
RSC = (CO3
--
+ HCO3
-
) - (Ca++
+ Mg++
)
> 2.5 not suitable
1.25 - 2.5 marginal
< 1.25 safe
Major Ions in Water
• Ion Balancing
∑ ∑
∑ ∑
+
−
=
anionscations
anionscations
errorbalance%
- concentrations in milliequivalents.
• Error should be < 10% for surface and ground waters
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 28
Add copy of Main text in chapter 8, for all participants.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 29
7. Additional handout
These handouts are distributed during delivery and contain test questions, answers to
questions, special worksheets, optional information, and other matters you would not like to
be seen in the regular handouts.
It is a good practice to pre-punch these additional handouts, so the participants can easily
insert them in the main handout folder.
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Questions
A water sample is known to contain calcium, sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The result of
an analysis were as follows:
Calcium 60 mg/L, Sodium 46 mg/L, Chloride 71 mg/L
(Mol. wt. Ca++
40, Na+
23, Cl-
35.5, HCO3
-
61.)
(1) Estimate the concentration of bicarbonates.
(2) Calculate percent sodium and residual sodium carbonate.
(3) Comment on the suitability of water for irrigation.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 31
Questions and Answers
A water sample is known to contain calcium, sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The result of
an analysis were as follows:
Calcium 60 mg/L, Sodium 46 mg/L, Chloride 71 mg/L
(Mol. wt. Ca++
40, Na+
23, Cl-
35.5, HCO3
-
61.)
(1) Estimate the concentration of bicarbonates.
Calculate concentrations in meq/L
Ca++
= 60/20 = 3, Na+
= 46/23 = 2, Cl-
= 71/35.5 = 2
Sum of cations = 5 meq/L
Therefore, for ion balance sum of anions is also = 5 meq/L
Hence HCO3
-
= 5 - 2 = 3 meq/L, or 3 x 61 = 183 mg/L
(2) Calculate percent sodium and residual sodium carbonate.
Percent sodium = [2/(3 + 2)] x 100 = 40
RSC = 3 - 3 = 0
(3) Comment on the suitability of water for irrigation.
The water is safe for irrigation, since both the parameters % Na and RSC do not
exceed the limits.
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8. Main text
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Sources of the Major Ions 1
3. Water Characterisation 2
4. Water Quality Consequences of the Major Ions 4
5. Ion Balancing 6
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1
Major Ions in Water
1. Introduction
All waters in the environment contain dissolved salts. However, some species occur more
frequently and at greater concentrations than others. This is illustrated in Table 1.
Major constituents (1.0 to 1000 mg/L) Secondary Constituents (0.01 to 10.0 mg/L)
Sodium Iron
Calcium Strontium
Magnesium Potassium
Bicarbonate Carbonate
Sulphate Nitrate
Chloride Fluoride
Silica Boron
Table 1: Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater
With regard to ions, Table 2 shows the cations and anions which normally constitute the
major ions in water and it is these ions which are discussed in this module.
CATIONS ANIONS
Calcium (Ca2+
) Bicarbonate (HCO3
-
) / Carbonate (CO3
2-
)
Magnesium (Mg2+
) Sulphate (SO4
2-
)
Sodium (Na+
) Chloride (Cl-
)
Potassium (K+
)
Table 2: Major Cations and Anions in Water
2. Sources of the Major Ions
Rain water, as it passes through the air and through and over the land, dissolves many
chemical species. Passing through the atmosphere, for example, it dissolves the gases
which constitute air including nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The fact that it dissolves
carbon dioxide from the air is important because when carbon dioxide in present in water it
forms carbonic acid and this acid enhances water’s ability to dissolve chemical species
(salts) contained in rocks and soil. In passing through polluted atmosphere it is also possible
for the water to dissolve gases associated with pollution such as sulphur and nitrogen
oxides. Some of these gases can also make the water acidic, further adding to the water’s
ability to dissolve salts.
By the time that rain water has passed over and through land to become groundwater or
surface water it has normally acquired many dissolved chemical species. Clearly, the
precise chemical composition of the water will depend upon the types of rock and soils with
which the water has been in contact and this can be used to characterise a particular water
by determining its chemical make-up. As a guide to this characterisation process Table 3
gives some of the primary sources of the major ions.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2
Major Ions Some Primary Sources
Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum,
pyroxenes, aragonite, calcite, dolomite,
clay minerals
Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes,
dolomite, magnesite, clay minerals
Sodium Feldspars, clay minerals, halite,
mirabilite, industrial wastes
Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas,
clay minerals
Bicarbonate/Carbonate Limestone, dolomite
Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum,
anhydrite
Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock
Table 3: Primary Sources of the Major Ions
3. Water Characterisation
It is possible to characterise waters by performing a chemical analysis of their major ions.
Once this is done the results can be plotted in a variety of formats to allow comparison
between different waters. Figure 1 shows how this can be done by means of a bar chart for 4
different samples. The cations are plotted as the left half of the bar and the anions as the
right half. The height of the chart represents the total concentration of major ions in the
water in milliequivalents per litre.
Mg
Na + K
Ca
Cl
SO4
CO3 + HCO3
Equivalentspermillion->
A B C D
Figure 1: Vertical Bar Graphs for Characterising Waters
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3
A number of different types of plot can be constructed to show the same information but the
type shown in Figure 1 is probably the easiest to use and understand and most common.
Figure 2 shows a trilinear diagram known as Piper or Hill diagram. Here cations, expressed
as percentages of total cations in meq/L, plot as a single point on the left triangle; while
anions similarly plot on the right triangle. These two points are then projected in the central
diamond-shaped area. This single point is thus uniquely related to the total ionic distribution.
In order to use this method, Na+
and K+
and CO2 and HCO3
-
are combined. The points
shown on the diagram correspond to the following analysis:
Ca++
= 30 %, Mg++
= 15% Na+
+ K+
= 55%
SO4
--
= 10% Cl-
= 28% HCO3
-
= 62%
Such plots conveniently reveal similarities and differences among different samples because
those with similar qualities will tend to plot together as groups.
Another method of plotting chemical characteristcs, devised by Stiff, is shown in Figure 3.
The scale is used to plot the ion concentrations for a specific water sample. When the points
are connected, the resulting pattern provides a pictorial representation of the water sample.
Such plots are used to trace similar formation groundwaters over large areas.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4
4. Water Quality Consequences of the Major Ions
Calcium (Ca2+
) and Magnesium (Mg2+
) ions are both common in natural waters and both are
essential elements for all organisms. Calcium and magnesium, when combined with
bicarbonate, carbonate, sulphate and other species, contribute to the hardness of natural
waters. The effect of this hardness can be seen as deposited scale when such waters are
heated. Normally hardness due to calcium predominates although in certain regions
magnesium hardness can be high. In some river catchments, hardness can vary seasonally
reaching peak values during low flow conditions. It is possible to analyse waters to
determine hardness and then classify them as shown in Table 4 below.
Hardness (mg/L as Ca CO3) Classification
0 – 75 Soft
75 – 150 Moderately hard
150 – 300 Hard
Over 300 Very hard
Table 4: Hardness Classification of Water
In natural waters, calcium concentrations are normally below 15 mg/L although this can rise
to 100 mg/L where waters are associated with carbonate-rich rocks. Magnesium
concentrations also vary widely and can be from 1 to over 50 mg/L depending upon the rock
types within the catchment.
All natural waters contain sodium ions (Na+
) as the element is one of the most abundant on
the planet. High concentrations in inland waters, however, are normally associated with
pollution from industrial discharges or sewage effluent or, in coastal areas, sea water
intrusion. Normally, however, sodium concentrations are below 200 mg/L (this is also the
World Health Organisation guideline limit for sodium in drinking water).
When water is to be used for irrigation purposes it is important to know the sodium
concentration as sodium can have a negative effect on soil structure by defloculating it,
which can affect plant growth. To evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation the Sodium
Adsorption Ration (SAR) is used as follows:
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 5
( )
SAR
Na
Ca Mg
=
+
+
+ +2 2
2
where the concentrations of the ions in milliequivalents per litre are used.
From an international perspective, if the value of the SAR is less than 3 the water is suitable
for irrigation use. Values from 3 to 9 represent some use restriction whilst SAR values in
excess of 9 normally mean that water cannot be used for irrigation. In India, however, the
SAR standard for irrigation water is set to 26 which reflects the fact that sodium does not
build up in the soil and cause damage because every monsoon season the soil is thoroughly
flushed and renewed.
A related parameter to asses the suitability of water for irrigation is sodium percentage
[Nax100/(Na + K + Ca + Mg)], where all values are expressed in meq/L. It is recommended
that sodium percentage should not exceed 60.
In waters where the bicarbonate content is high, there is a tendency for calcium and
magnesium if present, to precipitate out as carbonates, thus increasing SAR. The residual
sodium carbonate (RSC) is defined as:
RSC = (CO3
--
+ HCO3
-
) - (Ca++
+ Mg++
)
If its value exceeds 2.5 meq/L the water is not suitable, 2.5 to 1.25 is marginal and less than
1.25 is safe.
Figure 4 shows a diagram for classification of irrigation waters proposed by US Department
of Agriculture, which is widely used in India.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6
The concentration of potassium ions (K+
) in natural fresh waters is generally low (normally
less than 10 mg/L). Sea water and brines contain much higher concentrations, however.
Potassium ions are highly soluble and are essential for most forms of life. Potassium in the
water environment is readily taken up by aquatic life, therefore.
The concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates in water has a major effect on both the
hardness (see also calcium and magnesium above) and the alkalinity (capacity to neutralise
acid) of water. The relative amounts of carbonate, bicarbonate and carbonic acid (dissolved
carbon dioxide gas) in water is related to the pH. Under normal surface water pH conditions
(i.e., less than pH = 9), bicarbonate predominates. Bicarbonate concentrations in natural
waters range from less than 25 mg/L in areas of non-carbonate rocks to over 400 mg/L
where carbonate rocks are present. Carbonate concentrations in surface and ground waters
by contrast are usually low and nearly always less than 10 mg/L.
Sulphate is present in all surface waters as it arises from rocks and from sea water which
contains a high sulphate concentration. In addition to its role as a plant nutrient, high
concentrations of sulphate can be problematic as they make the water corrosive to building
materials (e.g., concrete) and are capable of being reduced to hydrogen sulphide (a toxic,
foul-smelling gas) when zero dissolved oxygen conditions prevail in the water body.
Normally, sulphate concentrations in surface waters are between 2 and 80 mg/L although
they may exceed 1000 mg/L if industrial discharges or sulphate-rich minerals are present.
The WHO guideline value for sulphate in drinking water is 400 mg/L.
Chlorides in fresh waters generally come from rocks, the sea or sewage, agricultural and
industrial effluents. Fresh water concentrations of chloride are normally less than 40 mg/L
and can be as low as 2 mg/L in waters, which have not been subject to pollution. Chloride
concentrations over 100 mg/L give the water a salty taste and thereby make it unsuitable for
drinking by humans or animals.
Though nitrate is not listed as a major ion, high concentrations of nitrate upto 200 mg NO3-
N/L have been reported from many sites in the country where municipal wastewater or
leachate from garbage dumps has contaminated the groundwater. Excessive amount of
nitrate in drinking water causes methaemoglobinaemia in bottle fed infants. WHO has
recommended a guideline value of 10 mg NO3-N/L.
5. Ion Balancing
When a water quality sample has been analysed for the major ionic species, one of the most
important validation tests can be conducted: the cation-anion balance.
The principle of electroneutrality requires that the sum of the positive ions (cations) must
equal the sum of the negative ions (anions). Thus the error in a cation-anion balance can be
written as:
∑ ∑
∑ ∑
+
−
=
anionscations
anionscations
errorbalance% x 100
where the ions are expressed in meq/L.
For groundwater and surface water, the % error should be less than 10. If it is greater, the
analysis does not pass the validation check.
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7
Example
A laboratory measures the following concentrations of ions in a sample of water. Perform the
validation check.
Cation Conc (mg/l) Anion Conc (mg/l)
Ca2+
93.8 HCO3
-
164.7
Mg2+
28.0 SO4
-2
134.0
Na+
13.7 Cl-
92.5
K+
30.2
1. First the concentrations of cations and anions must be converted from mg/l to meq/l.
(a) This conversion is made using the mg/meq value for each major ion species. This value
is equal to the atomic weight of the species divided by the ion charge.
For Calcium (Ca2+
):
• atomic weight = 40
• ion charge = 2
• mg/meq = 40/2 = 20
(b) Dividing the concentration (mg/l) by the mg/meq value for each species results in meq/l.
For Calcium (Ca+2
):
• Concentration (mg/l) = 93.8
• mg/meq = 20
• 93.8/20 = 4.69 meq/l
Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 8
(c) A table should be completed with all the values per species, and the sum of cations and
anions.
Cation Concentration
(mg/l) (mg/meq) (meq/l)
Ca+2
93.8 20.0 4.69
Mg+2
28.0 12.2 2.3
Na+
13.7 13.7 0.60
K+
30.2 39.1 0.77
Total Cations 8.36 meq/l
Anion Concentration
(mg/l) (mg/meq) (meq/l)
HCO3
-
164.7 61.0 2.74
SO4
-2
134.0 48.0 2.79
Cl-
92.5 35.5 2.61
Total Anions 8.14 meq/l
2. Check accuracy (% balance error)
∑ ∑
∑ ∑
+
−
=
anionscations
anionscations
errorbalance% x 100
%3.1100
14.836.8
14.836.8
=×
+
−
=
This is less than the allowed error, so the sample results can be accepted.
If error > 10% then check results, and possibly re-analyse samples.
Note: An accurate ion balance does not necessarily mean that the analysis is correct. There
may be more than one error and these may cancel each other out.

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  • 1. World Bank & Government of The Netherlands funded Training module # WQ - 28 Major Ions in Water New Delhi, September 1999 CSMRS Building, 4th Floor, Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 11 00 16 India Tel: 68 61 681 / 84 Fax: (+ 91 11) 68 61 685 E-Mail: dhvdelft@del2.vsnl.net.in DHV Consultants BV & DELFT HYDRAULICS with HALCROW, TAHAL, CES, ORG & JPS
  • 2. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1 Table of contents Page 1. Module context 2 2. Module profile 3 3. Session plan 4 4. Overhead/flipchart master 5 5. Evaluation sheets 22 6. Handout 24 7. Additional handout 29 8. Main text 32
  • 3. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2 1. Module context This module presents the major inorganic ions which are significant to water quality. Modules in which prior training is required to complete this module successfully and other available, related modules in this category are listed in the table below. While designing a training course, the relationship between this module and the others would be maintained by keeping them close together in the syllabus and placing them in a logical sequence. The actual selection of the topics and the depth of training would, of course, depend on the training needs of the participants, i.e. their knowledge level and skills performance upon the start of the course. No. Module title Code Objectives 1. Basic water quality concepts WQ - 01 • Discuss the common water quality parameters • List important water quality issues 2. Basic chemistry conceptsa WQ - 02 • Convert units from one to another • Discuss the basic concepts of quantitative chemistry • Report analytical results with the correct number of significant digits. 3. Basic Aquatic Chemistry Concepts WQ - 24 • Calculate ion concentrations from ionisation constants a - prerequisite
  • 4. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3 2. Module profile Title : Major Ions in Water Target group : HIS function(s): Q2, Q3, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8 Duration : 1 session of 60 min Objectives : After the training the participants will • Know the major ions in water and their sources • Understand the significance of major ion concentrations Key concepts : • Sources of major ions in water • Ion balance • Hardness, SAR • Health effects Training methods : Lecture and discussion Training tools Required : Board, flipchart, OHS, Handouts : As provided in this module, Further reading and references : • Water Quality Monitoring, ed. J. Bartram and R. Balance • Water Quality Assessment, ed. D. Chapman, E&FN SPON, London
  • 5. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4 3. Session plan No Activities Time Tools 1 Preparations 2 Introduction: • Introduce the session • Suggest a number of common aquatic ions and ask the participants whether these would be major or secondary constituents of groundwater • Following discussion use overhead to confirm 10 min OHS 3 Introduction to Major Ions • Discuss major cations and anions • Talk about how ions become dissolved in water • Discuss the sources of major ions • Show how it is possible to characterise waters graphically 10 min OHS 4 Individual Major Ions • Discuss calcium and magnesium and what their presence means in water • Discuss the concept of hardness and what that means in terms of water quality • List other major ions and ask the participants what their presence in water indicates • Follow up by showing overhead of various major ions • Discuss sar, %Na, RSC and how it is used to assess potential irrigation waters. Talk about the difference between Indian and International SAR standards. Show USDA classification 15 min OHS 5 Ion Balancing • Talk about the technique of ion balancing and why it is so useful to the chemical analyst and water quality expert • Show how ion balancing can be done and discuss the acceptability of errors 15 min OHS 6 Wrap up and Evaluation 10 min Addl. Handout
  • 6. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 5 4. Overhead/flipchart master OHS format guidelines Type of text Style Setting Headings: OHS-Title Arial 30-36, with bottom border line (not: underline) Text: OHS-lev1 OHS-lev2 Arial 24-26, maximum two levels Case: Sentence case. Avoid full text in UPPERCASE. Italics: Use occasionally and in a consistent way Listings: OHS-lev1 OHS-lev1-Numbered Big bullets. Numbers for definite series of steps. Avoid roman numbers and letters. Colours: None, as these get lost in photocopying and some colours do not reproduce at all. Formulas/ Equations OHS-Equation Use of a table will ease horizontal alignment over more lines (columns) Use equation editor for advanced formatting only
  • 7. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6 Major Ions in Water • Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater • Sources • Water Characterisation • Water Quality Consequences • Ion Balancing
  • 8. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7 Major constituents (1.0 to 1000 mg/L) Secondary Constituents (0.01 to 10.0 mg/L) Sodium Iron Calcium Strontium Magnesium Potassium Bicarbonate Carbonate Sulphate Nitrate Chloride Fluoride Silica Boron
  • 9. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 8 Major Cations and Anions in Water CATIONS ANIONS Calcium (Ca2+ ) Bicarbonate (HCO3 - )/ Carbonate (CO3 2- ) Magnesium (Mg2+ ) Sulphate (SO4 2- ) Sodium (Na+ ) Chloride (Cl- ) Potassium (K+ )
  • 10. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 9 Sources (1) • Atmospheric Gases Dissolved by Rain and their Reactions - Oxygen - Nitrogen - Carbon dioxide - Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Sulphur oxides (SOx)
  • 11. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 10 Sources (2) Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum, aragonite, calcite, pyroxenes, dolomite, clay minerals Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes, dolomite, magnesite, clay minerals Sodium Feldspars, clays, halite, mirabilite, industrial wastes Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas, clays Bicarbonate/ Carbonate Limestone, dolomite Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum, anhydrite Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock
  • 12. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 11 Water Characterisation (1) Mg Na + K Ca Cl SO4 CO3 + HCO3 Equivalentspermillion-> A B DC Bar Graphs for 4 different samples
  • 13. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 12 Water Characterisation (2)
  • 14. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 13 Water Characterisation (3)
  • 15. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 14 Water Quality Consequences • Calcium and Magnesium - Cause hardness when combined with HCO-3 , CO2 -3 , SO2 -4 etc - Ca2+ normally below 15 mg/l - Ca2+ can be above 100 mg/l in carbonate-rich rocks - Mg2+ normally between 1 and 50 mg/l depending upon rock type
  • 16. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 15 Hardness Classification Hardness (mg/L as Ca CO3) Classification 0 - 75 Soft 75 - 150 Moderately hard 150 - 300 Hard Over 300 Very hard
  • 17. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 16 Other Major Ions Major Ions in Water - Sodium – high levels often associated with pollution - Potassium – generally low (<10) in natural fresh waters - Bicarbonate normally ranges from 25 to 400 mg/l - Carbonate in fresh waters is normally dilute (<10 mg/l) - Sulphate is normally between 2 and 80 mg/l - Chloride is normally less than 40 mg/l in unpolluted waters - Nitrate is significant in some areas
  • 18. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 17 Health Effects - Nitrate - Fluoride - Sodium - Potassium - Chloride
  • 19. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 18 Irrigation Water Quality (1) • Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) - in milliequivalents/L ( ) SAR Na Ca Mg = + + + +2 2 2 International SAR Standards Indian SAR Standard SAR < 3: suitable for irrigation SAR > 26 unsuitable for irrigation SAR 3 – 9: use may be restricted SAR > 9 unsuitable for irrigation
  • 20. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 19 Irrigation Water Quality (2) • Percent Sodium = Na+ / (Ca++ + Mg++ + Na+ + K+ ) x 100 - should be less than 60 • Residual Sodium Carbonate RSC = (CO3 -- + HCO3 - ) - (Ca++ + Mg++ ) > 2.5 not suitable 1.25 - 2.5 marginal < 1.25 safe
  • 21. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 20 Irrigation Water Quality (3)
  • 22. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 21 Major Ions in Water • Ion Balancing ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ + − = anionscations anionscations errorbalance% - concentrations in milliequivalents. • Error should be < 10% for surface and ground waters
  • 23. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 22 5. Evaluation sheets
  • 24. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 23
  • 25. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 24 6. Handout
  • 26. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 25 Major Ions in Water • Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater • Sources • Water Characterisation • Water Quality Consequences • Ion Balancing Major constituents (1.0 to 1000 mg/L) Secondary Constituents (0.01 to 10.0 mg/L) Sodium Iron Calcium Strontium Magnesium Potassium Bicarbonate Carbonate Sulphate Nitrate Chloride Fluoride Silica Boron Major Cations and Anions in Water CATIONS ANIONS Calcium (Ca2+ ) Bicarbonate (HCO3 - )/ Carbonate (CO3 2- ) Magnesium (Mg2+ ) Sulphate (SO4 2- ) Sodium (Na+ ) Chloride (Cl- ) Potassium (K+ ) Sources (1) • Atmospheric Gases Dissolved by Rain and their Reactions - Oxygen - Nitrogen - Carbon dioxide - Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Sulphur oxides (SOx) Sources (2) Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum, aragonite, calcite, pyroxenes, dolomite, clay minerals Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes, dolomite, magnesite, clay minerals Sodium Feldspars, clays, halite, mirabilite, industrial wastes Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas, clays Bicarbonate/Carbonate Limestone, dolomite Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum, anhydrite Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock
  • 27. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 26 Water Quality Consequences • Calcium and Magnesium - Cause hardness when combined with HCO-3, CO2-3, SO2-4 etc - Ca2+ normally below 15 mg/l - Ca2+ can be above 100 mg/l in carbonate-rich rocks - Mg2+ normally between 1 and 50 mg/l depending upon rock type Hardness Classification Hardness (mg/L as Ca CO3) Classification 0 - 75 Soft 75 - 150 Moderately hard 150 - 300 Hard Over 300 Very hard Other Major Ions Major Ions in Water - Sodium – high levels often associated with pollution - Potassium – generally low (<10) in natural fresh waters - Bicarbonate normally ranges from 25 to 400 mg/l - Carbonate in fresh waters is normally dilute (<10 mg/l) - Sulphate is normally between 2 and 80 mg/l - Chloride is normally less than 40 mg/l in unpolluted waters - Nitrate is significant in some areas Health Effects - Nitrate - Fluoride - Sodium - Potassium - Chloride Irrigation Water Quality (1) • Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) - in milliequivalents/L ( ) SAR Na Ca Mg = + + + +2 2 2 International SAR Standards Indian SAR Standard SAR < 3: suitable for irrigation SAR > 26 unsuitable for irrigation SAR 3 – 9: use may be restricted SAR > 9 unsuitable for irrigation
  • 28. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 27 Irrigation Water Quality (2) • Percent Sodium = Na+ / (Ca++ + Mg++ + Na+ + K+ ) x 100 - should be less than 60 • Residual Sodium Carbonate RSC = (CO3 -- + HCO3 - ) - (Ca++ + Mg++ ) > 2.5 not suitable 1.25 - 2.5 marginal < 1.25 safe Major Ions in Water • Ion Balancing ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ + − = anionscations anionscations errorbalance% - concentrations in milliequivalents. • Error should be < 10% for surface and ground waters
  • 29. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 28 Add copy of Main text in chapter 8, for all participants.
  • 30. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 29 7. Additional handout These handouts are distributed during delivery and contain test questions, answers to questions, special worksheets, optional information, and other matters you would not like to be seen in the regular handouts. It is a good practice to pre-punch these additional handouts, so the participants can easily insert them in the main handout folder.
  • 31. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 30 Questions A water sample is known to contain calcium, sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The result of an analysis were as follows: Calcium 60 mg/L, Sodium 46 mg/L, Chloride 71 mg/L (Mol. wt. Ca++ 40, Na+ 23, Cl- 35.5, HCO3 - 61.) (1) Estimate the concentration of bicarbonates. (2) Calculate percent sodium and residual sodium carbonate. (3) Comment on the suitability of water for irrigation.
  • 32. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 31 Questions and Answers A water sample is known to contain calcium, sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The result of an analysis were as follows: Calcium 60 mg/L, Sodium 46 mg/L, Chloride 71 mg/L (Mol. wt. Ca++ 40, Na+ 23, Cl- 35.5, HCO3 - 61.) (1) Estimate the concentration of bicarbonates. Calculate concentrations in meq/L Ca++ = 60/20 = 3, Na+ = 46/23 = 2, Cl- = 71/35.5 = 2 Sum of cations = 5 meq/L Therefore, for ion balance sum of anions is also = 5 meq/L Hence HCO3 - = 5 - 2 = 3 meq/L, or 3 x 61 = 183 mg/L (2) Calculate percent sodium and residual sodium carbonate. Percent sodium = [2/(3 + 2)] x 100 = 40 RSC = 3 - 3 = 0 (3) Comment on the suitability of water for irrigation. The water is safe for irrigation, since both the parameters % Na and RSC do not exceed the limits.
  • 33. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 32 8. Main text Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Sources of the Major Ions 1 3. Water Characterisation 2 4. Water Quality Consequences of the Major Ions 4 5. Ion Balancing 6
  • 34. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1 Major Ions in Water 1. Introduction All waters in the environment contain dissolved salts. However, some species occur more frequently and at greater concentrations than others. This is illustrated in Table 1. Major constituents (1.0 to 1000 mg/L) Secondary Constituents (0.01 to 10.0 mg/L) Sodium Iron Calcium Strontium Magnesium Potassium Bicarbonate Carbonate Sulphate Nitrate Chloride Fluoride Silica Boron Table 1: Major and Secondary Constituents of Groundwater With regard to ions, Table 2 shows the cations and anions which normally constitute the major ions in water and it is these ions which are discussed in this module. CATIONS ANIONS Calcium (Ca2+ ) Bicarbonate (HCO3 - ) / Carbonate (CO3 2- ) Magnesium (Mg2+ ) Sulphate (SO4 2- ) Sodium (Na+ ) Chloride (Cl- ) Potassium (K+ ) Table 2: Major Cations and Anions in Water 2. Sources of the Major Ions Rain water, as it passes through the air and through and over the land, dissolves many chemical species. Passing through the atmosphere, for example, it dissolves the gases which constitute air including nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The fact that it dissolves carbon dioxide from the air is important because when carbon dioxide in present in water it forms carbonic acid and this acid enhances water’s ability to dissolve chemical species (salts) contained in rocks and soil. In passing through polluted atmosphere it is also possible for the water to dissolve gases associated with pollution such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides. Some of these gases can also make the water acidic, further adding to the water’s ability to dissolve salts. By the time that rain water has passed over and through land to become groundwater or surface water it has normally acquired many dissolved chemical species. Clearly, the precise chemical composition of the water will depend upon the types of rock and soils with which the water has been in contact and this can be used to characterise a particular water by determining its chemical make-up. As a guide to this characterisation process Table 3 gives some of the primary sources of the major ions.
  • 35. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2 Major Ions Some Primary Sources Calcium Amphiboles, feldspars, gypsum, pyroxenes, aragonite, calcite, dolomite, clay minerals Magnesium Amphiboles, olivine, pyroxenes, dolomite, magnesite, clay minerals Sodium Feldspars, clay minerals, halite, mirabilite, industrial wastes Potassium Feldspars, feldspathoids, some micas, clay minerals Bicarbonate/Carbonate Limestone, dolomite Sulphate Oxidation of sulphide ores, gypsum, anhydrite Chloride Sedimentary rock, igneous rock Table 3: Primary Sources of the Major Ions 3. Water Characterisation It is possible to characterise waters by performing a chemical analysis of their major ions. Once this is done the results can be plotted in a variety of formats to allow comparison between different waters. Figure 1 shows how this can be done by means of a bar chart for 4 different samples. The cations are plotted as the left half of the bar and the anions as the right half. The height of the chart represents the total concentration of major ions in the water in milliequivalents per litre. Mg Na + K Ca Cl SO4 CO3 + HCO3 Equivalentspermillion-> A B C D Figure 1: Vertical Bar Graphs for Characterising Waters
  • 36. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3 A number of different types of plot can be constructed to show the same information but the type shown in Figure 1 is probably the easiest to use and understand and most common. Figure 2 shows a trilinear diagram known as Piper or Hill diagram. Here cations, expressed as percentages of total cations in meq/L, plot as a single point on the left triangle; while anions similarly plot on the right triangle. These two points are then projected in the central diamond-shaped area. This single point is thus uniquely related to the total ionic distribution. In order to use this method, Na+ and K+ and CO2 and HCO3 - are combined. The points shown on the diagram correspond to the following analysis: Ca++ = 30 %, Mg++ = 15% Na+ + K+ = 55% SO4 -- = 10% Cl- = 28% HCO3 - = 62% Such plots conveniently reveal similarities and differences among different samples because those with similar qualities will tend to plot together as groups. Another method of plotting chemical characteristcs, devised by Stiff, is shown in Figure 3. The scale is used to plot the ion concentrations for a specific water sample. When the points are connected, the resulting pattern provides a pictorial representation of the water sample. Such plots are used to trace similar formation groundwaters over large areas.
  • 37. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4 4. Water Quality Consequences of the Major Ions Calcium (Ca2+ ) and Magnesium (Mg2+ ) ions are both common in natural waters and both are essential elements for all organisms. Calcium and magnesium, when combined with bicarbonate, carbonate, sulphate and other species, contribute to the hardness of natural waters. The effect of this hardness can be seen as deposited scale when such waters are heated. Normally hardness due to calcium predominates although in certain regions magnesium hardness can be high. In some river catchments, hardness can vary seasonally reaching peak values during low flow conditions. It is possible to analyse waters to determine hardness and then classify them as shown in Table 4 below. Hardness (mg/L as Ca CO3) Classification 0 – 75 Soft 75 – 150 Moderately hard 150 – 300 Hard Over 300 Very hard Table 4: Hardness Classification of Water In natural waters, calcium concentrations are normally below 15 mg/L although this can rise to 100 mg/L where waters are associated with carbonate-rich rocks. Magnesium concentrations also vary widely and can be from 1 to over 50 mg/L depending upon the rock types within the catchment. All natural waters contain sodium ions (Na+ ) as the element is one of the most abundant on the planet. High concentrations in inland waters, however, are normally associated with pollution from industrial discharges or sewage effluent or, in coastal areas, sea water intrusion. Normally, however, sodium concentrations are below 200 mg/L (this is also the World Health Organisation guideline limit for sodium in drinking water). When water is to be used for irrigation purposes it is important to know the sodium concentration as sodium can have a negative effect on soil structure by defloculating it, which can affect plant growth. To evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation the Sodium Adsorption Ration (SAR) is used as follows:
  • 38. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 5 ( ) SAR Na Ca Mg = + + + +2 2 2 where the concentrations of the ions in milliequivalents per litre are used. From an international perspective, if the value of the SAR is less than 3 the water is suitable for irrigation use. Values from 3 to 9 represent some use restriction whilst SAR values in excess of 9 normally mean that water cannot be used for irrigation. In India, however, the SAR standard for irrigation water is set to 26 which reflects the fact that sodium does not build up in the soil and cause damage because every monsoon season the soil is thoroughly flushed and renewed. A related parameter to asses the suitability of water for irrigation is sodium percentage [Nax100/(Na + K + Ca + Mg)], where all values are expressed in meq/L. It is recommended that sodium percentage should not exceed 60. In waters where the bicarbonate content is high, there is a tendency for calcium and magnesium if present, to precipitate out as carbonates, thus increasing SAR. The residual sodium carbonate (RSC) is defined as: RSC = (CO3 -- + HCO3 - ) - (Ca++ + Mg++ ) If its value exceeds 2.5 meq/L the water is not suitable, 2.5 to 1.25 is marginal and less than 1.25 is safe. Figure 4 shows a diagram for classification of irrigation waters proposed by US Department of Agriculture, which is widely used in India.
  • 39. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6 The concentration of potassium ions (K+ ) in natural fresh waters is generally low (normally less than 10 mg/L). Sea water and brines contain much higher concentrations, however. Potassium ions are highly soluble and are essential for most forms of life. Potassium in the water environment is readily taken up by aquatic life, therefore. The concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates in water has a major effect on both the hardness (see also calcium and magnesium above) and the alkalinity (capacity to neutralise acid) of water. The relative amounts of carbonate, bicarbonate and carbonic acid (dissolved carbon dioxide gas) in water is related to the pH. Under normal surface water pH conditions (i.e., less than pH = 9), bicarbonate predominates. Bicarbonate concentrations in natural waters range from less than 25 mg/L in areas of non-carbonate rocks to over 400 mg/L where carbonate rocks are present. Carbonate concentrations in surface and ground waters by contrast are usually low and nearly always less than 10 mg/L. Sulphate is present in all surface waters as it arises from rocks and from sea water which contains a high sulphate concentration. In addition to its role as a plant nutrient, high concentrations of sulphate can be problematic as they make the water corrosive to building materials (e.g., concrete) and are capable of being reduced to hydrogen sulphide (a toxic, foul-smelling gas) when zero dissolved oxygen conditions prevail in the water body. Normally, sulphate concentrations in surface waters are between 2 and 80 mg/L although they may exceed 1000 mg/L if industrial discharges or sulphate-rich minerals are present. The WHO guideline value for sulphate in drinking water is 400 mg/L. Chlorides in fresh waters generally come from rocks, the sea or sewage, agricultural and industrial effluents. Fresh water concentrations of chloride are normally less than 40 mg/L and can be as low as 2 mg/L in waters, which have not been subject to pollution. Chloride concentrations over 100 mg/L give the water a salty taste and thereby make it unsuitable for drinking by humans or animals. Though nitrate is not listed as a major ion, high concentrations of nitrate upto 200 mg NO3- N/L have been reported from many sites in the country where municipal wastewater or leachate from garbage dumps has contaminated the groundwater. Excessive amount of nitrate in drinking water causes methaemoglobinaemia in bottle fed infants. WHO has recommended a guideline value of 10 mg NO3-N/L. 5. Ion Balancing When a water quality sample has been analysed for the major ionic species, one of the most important validation tests can be conducted: the cation-anion balance. The principle of electroneutrality requires that the sum of the positive ions (cations) must equal the sum of the negative ions (anions). Thus the error in a cation-anion balance can be written as: ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ + − = anionscations anionscations errorbalance% x 100 where the ions are expressed in meq/L. For groundwater and surface water, the % error should be less than 10. If it is greater, the analysis does not pass the validation check.
  • 40. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7 Example A laboratory measures the following concentrations of ions in a sample of water. Perform the validation check. Cation Conc (mg/l) Anion Conc (mg/l) Ca2+ 93.8 HCO3 - 164.7 Mg2+ 28.0 SO4 -2 134.0 Na+ 13.7 Cl- 92.5 K+ 30.2 1. First the concentrations of cations and anions must be converted from mg/l to meq/l. (a) This conversion is made using the mg/meq value for each major ion species. This value is equal to the atomic weight of the species divided by the ion charge. For Calcium (Ca2+ ): • atomic weight = 40 • ion charge = 2 • mg/meq = 40/2 = 20 (b) Dividing the concentration (mg/l) by the mg/meq value for each species results in meq/l. For Calcium (Ca+2 ): • Concentration (mg/l) = 93.8 • mg/meq = 20 • 93.8/20 = 4.69 meq/l
  • 41. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 28 Major Ions in Water.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 8 (c) A table should be completed with all the values per species, and the sum of cations and anions. Cation Concentration (mg/l) (mg/meq) (meq/l) Ca+2 93.8 20.0 4.69 Mg+2 28.0 12.2 2.3 Na+ 13.7 13.7 0.60 K+ 30.2 39.1 0.77 Total Cations 8.36 meq/l Anion Concentration (mg/l) (mg/meq) (meq/l) HCO3 - 164.7 61.0 2.74 SO4 -2 134.0 48.0 2.79 Cl- 92.5 35.5 2.61 Total Anions 8.14 meq/l 2. Check accuracy (% balance error) ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ + − = anionscations anionscations errorbalance% x 100 %3.1100 14.836.8 14.836.8 =× + − = This is less than the allowed error, so the sample results can be accepted. If error > 10% then check results, and possibly re-analyse samples. Note: An accurate ion balance does not necessarily mean that the analysis is correct. There may be more than one error and these may cancel each other out.