Gordale beck Essay Example for Free

Gordale beck Essay In general, there is quite a variety in terms of detected total hardness levels for the different areas of Malham. Notably, from Table 1, it can be seen that the area with the highest total hardness is the Rwer air at Gargrare (with 280 ppm) followed by the Gordale spring (with 230 ppm). In relation to this, the lowest readings were from the Malham cove (180 ppm). Incidentally, upon inspection of the Malham area map in figure 2, these three areas were of the closest in proximity with each other. In terms of calcium hardness, the location that registered the highest reading was the Malham tarn outflow (with 210 ppm) while the lowest was from the Gordale beck (with 110 ppm). The resulting total hardness levels indicate that the waters surrounding Malham range from slightly hard (140 to 210 ppm) to moderately hard (210 to 320 ppm). It is evident that an area having high total hardness is not enough reason to assume that it also has high calcium hardness. This is due to the fact that total hardness is determined by the presence of magnesium and calcium and not calcium alone. In fact, the greater the difference between total hardness and calcium hardness, the greater is the resulting value of magnesium hardness. This is a rather simplistic way of determining the magnesium hardness, but it is efficient since methods for separately analyzing magnesium from calcium are not easily done. Table 3 shows the computed magnesium hardness values, which also brings a possible point of error in getting the readings pertaining to the Malham Tarn outflow. There was definitely an error since it is quite impossible for the calcium hardness to surpass the total hardness. To better understand the main factor affecting hardness, a topographic analysis of a certain location must be done, which in the process, determine what types of rocks are present. In various areas of Malham, there is a difference in amount and occurrence of limestone (Gorman n. d. : 1). The presence of limestone dictates the resulting calcium hardness levels since these are mainly composed of calcite or calcium carbonate which disperses into the surrounding passing water. Take note that calcium carbonate is the one measured in tests for calcium hardness. Other points realized from the resulting data are also present. For one, there is no evident correlation between pH and hardness readings. In relation to this, the pH levels still play a role in the resulting hardness since they partially dictate the degree of solubility, but due to the fact that there are other factors at work it does not greatly influence the resulting hardness level of water. Another point observed is in terms of colour endpoints in titration. All samples were violet for calcium hardness and grey for total hardness. The last point observed from the resulting data is in terms of the relationship between absorption and calcium hardness. Figure 2 shows that there is a direct relationship between calcium hardness and absorption reading. Hence, as the absorption reading increases, so does calcium hardness. This is probably due to the fact that absorption readings are enhanced when there are more suspended particles or substances in water. These particles block light better than water alone, hence the greater degree of absorption. List of References Dartmouth College. (2008) Titration [online lab manual] delivered for Chemlab: The Chemistry 3/5 6 Laboratories on 1 October 2008 at Dartmouth College available from http://www. dartmouth. edu/~chemlab/techniques/titration. html [26 March 2009]