The document describes a procedure to estimate the concentration of sodium in a tap water sample using flame emission spectrophotometry. The procedure involves preparing standard sodium chloride solutions of known concentrations, measuring their emissions using the spectrophotometer, and generating a calibration curve. The tap water sample's emission is also measured and its sodium concentration is determined using the calibration curve. The estimated sodium concentration in the tap water sample was 1.45 ppm.

1. ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY
FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER
Submitted by: Sadia Rahat

2. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FLAME EMISSION SPECTROMETRY.......................................................................................................3
PROBLEM...........................................................................................................................................4
APPLICATION OF FES...........................................................................................................................4
SODIUM(Na)......................................................................................................................................4
OCCURRENCE.................................................................................................................................4
PERMISSIBLE STANDARDS OF SODIUMIN DIFFERENT WATER BODIES....................................................5
PRINCIPLE..........................................................................................................................................6
SAMPLING......................................................................................................................................6
STOCK SOLUTION-1000ppm NaCl.....................................................................................................6
STANDARD SOLUTIONS...................................................................................................................6
PROCEDURE.......................................................................................................................................8
CALCULATIONS...............................................................................................................................8
RESULT...........................................................................................................................................9
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SODIUM..............................................................................................9
HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS OF SODIUM............................................................................................9
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................................10

3. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
3
FLAME EMISSION SPECTROMETRY
In flame emission spectrometry, the sample solution is nebulized (converted into a fine aerosol)
and introduced into the flame where it is de-solvated, vaporized, and atomized, all in rapid
succession. Subsequently, atoms and molecules are raised to excited states via thermal collisions
with the constituents of the partially burned flame gases. Upon their return to a lower or ground
electronic state, the excited atoms and molecules emit radiation characteristic of the sample
components (Lyra et al., 2010).
The emitted radiation passes through a monochromator that isolates the specific wavelength for
the desired analysis. A photo-detector measures the radiant power of the selected radiation,
which is then amplified and sent to a readout device, meter, recorder, or microcomputer system
(Jamshidi et al., 2011).
Combustion flames provide a means of converting analytes in solution to atoms in the vapor
phase freed of their chemical surroundings. These free atoms are then transformed into excited
electronic states by one of two methods:
1. Absorption of additional thermal energy from the flame.
2. Absorption of radiant energy from an external source of radiation.
FES PROCESSING DIAGRAM

4. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
4
PROBLEM ESTIMATION OF SODIUM IN TAP WATER SAMPLE BY SPECTROPHOTOMETER
APPLICATION OF FES
Most applications of FES have been the determination of trace metals, especially in liquid
samples. It should be remembered that FES offers a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive method
for detecting common metals,including the alkaliand alkalineearths, as wellas several transition
metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn (Degler et al., 2015).
FES has been extended to include a number of nonmetals: H, B, C, N, P, As, O, S, Se, Te, halogens,
and noble gases. FES detectors for P and S are commercially available for use in gas
chromatography (Juned & Arjun, 2011).
FES has found wide application in agricultural and environmental analysis, industrial analyses of
ferrous metals and alloys as well as glasses and ceramic materials, and clinical analyses of body
fluids. FES can be easily automated to handle a large number of samples. Array detectors
interfaced to a microcomputer system permit simultaneous analyses of several elements in a
single sample (Sirignano et al., 2012).
SODIUM (Na)
Sodium is the sixth most abundant element in The Earth’s crust, which contains 2.83% of sodium
in all its forms. Sodium is, after chloride, the second most abundant element dissolved in
seawater. The most important sodium salts found in nature are sodium chloride (halite or rock
salt), sodium carbonate (trona or soda), sodium borate (borax), sodium nitrate and sodium
sulfate (David et al., 2015).
OCCURRENCE
Sodium salts are found in seawater (1.05%), salty lakes, alkaline lakes and mineral spring water.
The production of salt is around 200 million tons per year; this huge amount is mainly extracted
from salt deposits by pumping water down bore holes to dissolve it and pumping up brine. The

5. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
5
sun and many other stars shine with visible light in which the yellow component dominates and
this is given out by sodium atoms in a high-energy state (Kauranen et al., 1991).
PERMISSIBLESTANDARDS OF SODIUM IN DIFFERENTWATER BODIES
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION-WHO
SODIUM CONCENTRATION IN DIFFERENT WATER BODIES
SEA WATER 11,000 mg/L
RIVER 9 mg/L
SODIUM CONCENTRATION IN DRINKING WATER
DRINKING WATER (ESTHETIC
CONSIDERATION)
200 mg/L
DRINKING WATER (NORMAL WATER) 50 mg/L
(WHO, 2012)
PAKISTAN STANDARDS & QUALITY CONTROL AUTHORITY (PSQCA)
DRINKING WATER 50 mg/L
(PSQCA, 2002)
US-EPA, DRINKING WATER
DRINKING WATER 20 mg/L
(US-EPA, Drinking water, 2012)

6. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
6
BIS - BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
ACCEPTABLE LIMIT 200 mg/L
THRESHOLD LIMIT 400 mg/L
(BIS, 2009)
EUROPEAN UNION DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
DRINKING WATER 200 mg/L
(EU, 1998)
CFR - CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
SODIUM IN FOOD IN TERMS OF
DAILY REFERENCE VALUE
2,400 mg
(CFR, 2015)
PRINCIPLE
In FES, the sample solution is nebulized and introduced into the flame where it is de-solvated,
vaporized, and atomized, all in rapid succession. Subsequently, atoms and molecules are raised to
excited states. Upon their return to a lower or ground electronic state, the excited atoms and
molecules emit radiation characteristic of the sample components that is measured and recorded
by the photo-detectors (Lyra et al., 2010).
SAMPLING
We carefully took tap water sample from CEES laboratory Side.
STOCK SOLUTION-1000ppm NaCl
We carefully took 2.54 g of NaCl in 1000 ml flask and made its volume up to the mark with the
help of H2O. In this way we prepared 1000 ppm stock solution of sodium chloride.
STANDARD SOLUTIONS
From our stock solution, we have prepared standard solutions of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5ppm sodium
chloride solutions.

7. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
7
0.5ppm
C1V1=C2V2
1000×V1= 0.5×100
V1= 0.05ml
1ppm
C1V1=C2V2
1000×V1=1×100
V1=0.1ml
2ppm
C1V1=C2V2
1000×V1=2×100
V1= 0.2ml
3ppm
C1V1=C2V2
1000×V1=3×100
V1=0.3ml
4ppm
C1V1=C2V2
1000×V1=4×100
V1= 0.4ml
5ppm
C1V1=C2V2

8. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
8
1000×V1=5×100
V1= 0.5ml
PROCEDURE
a. First of all we carefully took 2.54 g of NaCl in 1000 ml flask and make its volume up to the
mark with the help of H2O. In this way, we prepared 1000 ppm stock solution of sodium.
b. From our stock solution, we have prepared standard solutions of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5ppm sodium
chloride solutions.
c. After that calibrate the instrument with distilled water and run all of the solutions in FES and
note the absorbance.
d. We had also measured the absorbance of sample solution by Flame photometer but first run
the standard solutions and then sample of unknown concentration.
e. Plot the graph of emission against concentration. From the graph we carefully calibrate out the
concentration of sodium in sample.
CALCULATIONS
CONCENTRATION (ppm) EMISSION
0.5 2.980
1 3.075
2 3.655
3 3.641
4 3.636
5 3.870
Sample (concentration is 1. 45
ppm)
3.270
0.5 2.980

9. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
9
RESULT
Thus, the concentration of sodium determined by FES in tap water was 1.45 ppm.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SODIUM
 Sodium's powdered form is highlyexplosive inwater and apoison combined and uncombined
with many other elements.
 Eco-toxicity: Sodium is a highly potential eco-toxic element such as its median tolerance limit
(TLM) for the mosquito fish, 125 ppm/96hr (fresh water); Median tolerance limit (TLM) for
the bluegill, 88 mg/48hr (tap water)(DIPIETRO et al., 1988).
 As far as its environmental fate is concerned, this chemical is not mobile in solid form,
although it absorbs moisture very easily. Once liquid, sodium hydroxide leaches rapidly into
the soil, possibly contaminating water sources.
HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS OF SODIUM
 Sodium is a compound of many foodstuffs, for instance of common salt. It is necessary for
humans to maintain the balance of the physical fluids system.

10. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
10
 Sodium is also required for nerve and muscle functioning. Too much sodium can damage our
kidneys and increases the chances of high blood pressure.
 The amount of sodium a person consumes each day varies from individual to individual and
from culture to culture; some people get as little as 2 g/day, some as much as 20 grams.
Sodium is essential, but controversy surrounds the amount required (David et al., 2015).
 Contact of sodium with water, including perspiration causes the formation of sodium
hydroxide fumes, which are highly irritating to skin, eyes, nose and throat. This may cause
sneezing and coughing. Very severe exposures may result in difficult breathing, coughing and
chemical bronchitis (Dilsiz et al., 2000).
 Contact to the skin may cause itching, tingling, thermal and caustic burns and permanent
damage. Contact with eyes may result in permanent damage and loss of sight.
REFERENCES
1. David Degler Hudson, W. Pereira de Carvalho Udo, Weimar Nicolae Barsan, D. P., Jan-
Dierk, A., & Grunwaldt. (2015). Structure-function relationships of conventionally and
flame made Pd-doped sensors studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and DC-
resistance.
2. Degler, D., Pereira de Carvalho, H. W., Weimar, U., Barsan, N., Pham, D., Mädler, L., &
Grunwaldt, J.-D. (2015). Structure–function relationships of conventionally and flame
made Pd-doped sensors studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and DC-resistance.
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 219, 315–323.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2015.05.012
3. Dilsiz, N., Olcucu, a, & Atas, M. (2000). Determination of calcium, sodium, potassium
and magnesium concentrations in human senile cataractous lenses. Cell Biochemistry
and Function, 18(4), 259–262. http://doi.org/10.1002/1099-

11. ESTIMATIONOFSODIUMINTAPWATER
SAMPLEBYUSINGFLAMEEMISSIONSPECTROPHOTOMETER
11
0844(200012)18:4<259::AID-CBF881>3.0.CO;2-O
4. DIPIETRO, M.M. BASHOR, P.E. STROUD, B.J. SMARR, B.J. BURGESS, W. E. T. and J. W. N.,
& Nutritional. (1988). COMPARISON OF AN INDUCTIVELY COUPLED P L A S M A - A T O M
I C EMISSION SPECTROMETRY METHOD FOR THE D E T E R M I N A T I O N OF CALCIUM,
M A G N E S I U M , SODIUM , POTASSIUM , COPPER AND Equipment and materials
Spectrometers ICP-AES measurements were, 74, 249–262.
5. Jamshidi, M., Ghaedi, M., Mortazavi, K., Biareh, M. N., & Soylak, M. (2011).
Determination of some metal ions by flame-AAS after their preconcentration using
sodium dodecyl sulfate coated alumina modified with 2-hydroxy-(3-((1-H-indol 3-
yle)phenyl) methyl) 1-H-indol (2-HIYPMI). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 49(6), 1229–
1234. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2011.02.025
6. Juned, S., & Arjun, B. (2011). Analysis of Chloride , Sodium and Potassiumin
Groundwater Samples of Nanded City in Mahabharata , India, 1(1).
7. Kauranen, P., Andersson-Engels, S., & Svanberg, S. (1991). Spatial mapping of flame
radical emission using a spectroscopic multi-colour imaging system. Applied Physics B
Photophysics and Laser Chemistry, 53(4), 260–264. http://doi.org/10.1007/BF00357147
8. Lyra, F. H., Carneiro, M. T. W. D., Brandão, G. P., Pessoa, H. M., & de Castro, E. V. (2010).
Determination of Na, K, Ca and Mg in biodiesel samples by flame atomic absorption
spectrometry (F AAS) using microemulsion as sample preparation. Microchemical
Journal, 96(1), 180–185. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2010.03.005
9. Sirignano, M., Collina, A., Commodo, M., Minutolo, P., & D’Anna, A. (2012). Detection of
aromatic hydrocarbons and incipient particles in an opposed-flow flame of ethylene by
spectral and time-resolved laser induced emission spectroscopy. Combustion and Flame,
159(4), 1663–1669. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2011.11.005.