Wastewater Study Guide Flashcards

Comprehensive practice vocabulary flashcards covering wastewater laboratory procedures, chemical storage, holding times, and microbiological testing standards.

Sulfuric Acid

The titrant used in the determine of alkalinity in water.

Calcium Bicarbonate

The chemical in terms of which alkalinity is usually expressed as an equivalent amount.

Alkalinity

The acid-neutralizing capacity of water.

Phenolphthalein alkalinity titration endpoint

The point at which a sample of suitable size is titrated with a standard acid to a $pH$ of $8.3$.

Total alkalinity titration endpoint

The point at which a sample of suitable size is titrated with standard Acid solution to a $pH$ of $4.5$.

Methyl orange

An indicator used in the laboratory to test for alkalinity.

Desiccator

An apparatus used in the lab for maintaining a dry environment.

Volumetric glassware calibration temperature

The temperature at which volumetric glassware is generally calibrated, which is $20^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Autoclave (complex sugars)

Used to sterilize media containing complex sugars by operating at $121^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Chlorine residual determination timing

A test that must be run immediately after sampling to avoid dissipation.

Coliform organisms (prevalence)

Microorganisms most prevalent in the intestinal tract of man and other warm-blooded animals.

Sodium thiosulfate (timing)

Added to bacteriological sample bottles before sterilization.

Bacteriological sample bottles

Should be sterilized by the lab and ready to use when received.

Sodium Thiosulfate (purpose)

A chemical added to bacteriological sample bottles to remove residual chlorine.

Grab Sample

A single sample taken without considering the time or the rate of flow.

Sample refrigeration preservation temperature

The most accepted method of sample presentation, listed at $121^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Dechlorinate

The process of adding Sodium Thiosulfate to chlorinated samples.

Chlorinated bacteriological sample bottles

Bottles used for collection that usually contain Sodium Thiosulfate.

Composite Sample

A sample built up from a series of samples taken at intervals during a fixed sampling period.

Grab samples (representation)

These represent instantaneous conditions at the time the sample was collected.

Nitric Acid ($HNO_3$)

The chemical that should be added to sample bottles before collecting for iron and manganese determinations.

Non-preserved DO sample holding time

Requires the analyst to Analyze Immediately.

Total Dissolved Solids drying temperature

A constant weight is achieved by drying the sample at $180^{\circ} \text{C} \pm 2.0^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Total Dissolved Solids drying oven duration

Sample is placed in a drying oven set at $180^{\circ} \text{C}$ for at least $1$ hour.

Conductivity

The lab procedure from which total dissolved solids can be estimated.

Hardness values

Expressed as equivalent to Calcium Carbonate.

Fecal coliform membrane filter incubation

Incubated in a water bath at $44.5^{\circ} \text{C} \pm 0.02^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Total coliform cultures (incubation)

Cultures should be incubated at $35.0 \pm 0.5^{\circ} \text{C}$ for $24\,\text{HRS}$.

Bacteriological test units

Results are expressed as Coliforms per $100\,\text{ml}$.

EC Medium

The medium used in the multiple tube fermentation technique for fecal coliforms at $44.5 \pm 0.2^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Pathogenic

Bacteria that can cause disease.

De-ionized water conductivity

The conductivity should be less than $0.2\,\mu\text{mhos / cm}$.

Chemical storage safety

All chemicals should be stored according to manufacturers recommendations.

Sulfuric acid storage

Should not be stored with Potassium Permanganate.

Oil and Electrical fires (extinguisher)

Carbon Dioxide is the best type of fire extinguisher to use.

Phenolphthalein

Used as an indicator in the process of titration.

Buffer

Solutions that oppose a change of composition, especially of hydrogen-ion concentration.

Normality

Gram equivalent-weights of reagent chemical per liter of solution.

Sodium hydroxide

A chemical that will make water more alkaline.

Chlorine residual maintenance

Maintained to protect the bacteriological quality of the water.

Total suspended solid oven temperature

The oven should be between $103^{\circ} \text{C} - 105^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Glass Fiber

The type of filter used in the total suspended solids lab procedure.

MPN

Most Probable Number of Organisms.

Oxidizer

A category of chemical exemplified by $HNO_3$ (Nitric Acid).

Phosphorus pipet cleaning

Wash with $HCl$ then water before using.

Nitrification

The process described as Ammonia $\rightarrow$ Nitrites $\rightarrow$ Nitrates ($NH_3$, $NO_2$, $NO_3$).

Cadmium Reduction

Involves the conversion of Nitrates to Nitrites.

Stock solution quantity

The correct amount to keep is $700$ of the stock.

Manhole gas safety

Check for gases before opening.

Conductivity (measures)

Measures electrical current and also Total dissolved solids.

Specific gravity ($1.20\,\text{g/cm}^3$)

Indicates that a compound is $20\%$ heavier than water.

H2SO4

The titrant specifically used in alkalinity determinations.

Ammonia release pH

Ammonia is released at a $pH > 11$.

Digestion

Decomposing a sample using high heat and acidic conditions.

Nephelometer

An instrument where light is measured at an angle of $90^{\circ}$.

Chemical storage (standard)

Should be kept in their appropriate container as indicated.

Control curve points

Three points are needed to construct a control curve.

Oil and grease analysis sample

Utilizes a Grab sample.

Eye wash and shower station maintenance

Analysts need to check these stations in intervals.

Acid dilution safety

Always add acids to water.

Phosphorus test digestion product

This process produces Orthophosphates.

Membrane Electrode

The most common type of portable DO Meter.

BOD Incubation temperature

Incubated at $20^{\circ} \text{C} \pm 1^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Type C fire extinguisher

Uses Carbon Dioxide to fight oil and electrical fires.

Ammonia borate buffer adjust

Ammonia is adjusted to a $pH$ of $9.5$ with this buffer.

OSHA

The organization that provides regulation for confined spaces.

Alkalinity phenolphthalein pH endpoint

The pH endpoint is $8.3$.

Code of Federal Regulations 40 136

The place one should look to find approved methods for measuring.

Total solids temperature

Total solids are ran at $180^{\circ} \text{C}$.

Ammonia holding time

A 28-day hold.

COD holding time

A 28-day hold.

Metals holding time

An 80-day hold for most metals.

Fecal holding time

A 6 Hours hold.

Nitrate-Nitrite holding time

A 28-day hold.

Oil & Grease holding time

A 28-days hold.

Phenyl arsine oxide

The titrant used for amperometric titration of free chlorine.

Coliforms (indicator)

Indicators for Pathogenic Organisms.

Dosage Calculation

$\text{Dosage} = \text{Demand} + \text{Residual}$.

Silver Sulfate

Used as a catalyst in COD reactions.

Filamentous bacteria (microscope)

Read using a magnification of $100\text{x}$.

TKN

Total kjeldahl nitrogen, composed of Organic Nitrogen and Ammonia.

Amines (Ammonia & Chlorine)

The most common form of interference in ammonia readings.

Distilled water pre-treatment

Important because it minimizes build up on equipment.

Lab grade water filter size

A $0.2\,\mu\text{m}$ filter should be used to produce contaminant free water.

Fecal coliform incubation temperature

Incubated at $44.5^{\circ} \text{C} \pm 0.2$.

Water bath (fecal coliform purpose)

Used during incubation to provide a consistent incubation.

95% Ethanol

The purity of ethanol used to prepare some standards.

Residual chlorine hold time

A hold time of $15\,\text{min}$.

Fume hood volatile threshold

Utilized when a concentration of volatiles $X > 150\,\text{ppm}$ is present.

Portable air blowers

Equipment used to help ventilate man holes prior to entry.

1000 mg

Equal to $1\text{g}$.

Incineration

An example of a temperature dependent reaction.

Activated carbon

Works through the process of Absorption.

Broken control point protocol

If an analyst breaks a control point, they should identify potential problems and reanalyze.

Total metals preparation

Acid Wash ($1:1\,HCl$); Rinse with reagent grade DI water; Air Dry.

Analytical reagent grade

The primary indicator that should be look for when buying stock chemicals.

Buffers (buying concern)

The primary concern is the shelf life.

Chemical box labelling

Must indicate the date received and the date opened.

BOD sample setup

Set up in a BOD bottle of $60\,\text{ml}$ or greater.

Ammonia testing stirring

Samples should be tested for ammonia with constant stirring.