the pH and buffer capacity of natural water
The lab report should contain three components: cover page, abstract, and answering questions specified by the lab manual.
Data Analysis
1- Prepare a plot of pH vs. volume of titrant for the four environmental samples studied. Submit a copy of the titration curve
2- Use the titration curve to determine the moles of titrant needed to decrease the initial pH by 1.00 unit. Use this volume to calculate the buffer capacity. The buffer capacity is the number of moles of the acid needed per liter of sample needed for this change in pH. Compare your result with the buffer capacity of a carbonate/bicarbonate system.
3- Relate the pH of the environmental samples to their location. Rain water will usually have a very different pH than a river, an estuary or the ocean.