Chemical reactions for dissolved oxygen test.
Step 1
The addition of Manganous Sulfate solution (reagent No.1) and Alkaline Potassium Iodide Azide solution (reagent No. 2) to the sample. These reagents react to form a white precipitate of manganous hydroxide. This reaction can be written as:
MnSO4 + 2KOH = Mn(OH)2 + K2SO4
Manganous Sulfate + Potassium Hydroxide = Manganous Hydroxide + Potassium Sulfate
At the same time the precipitate is formed, the oxygen in the water reacts with the manganous hydroxide to form brown-coloured manganic hydroxide. Chemically, this reaction can be written as:
4Mn(OH)2 + O2 + 2H20 = 4Mn(OH)3
Manganous Hydroxide + Oxygen = Water + Manganic Hydroxide
Step 2
After the brown precipitate is formed, sulfuric acid (reagent No. 3) is added to the sample. The acid converts the manganic hydroxide to manganic sulfate. This is called “fixing” the oxygen in the sample. Chemically, this reaction can be written as:
2Mn(OH)3 + 3H2SO4 = Mn2(SO4)3 + 6H2O
Manganic Hydroxide + Sulfuric acid = Manganic Sulfate + Water
At the same time, iodine from the potassium iodide in the Alkaline Potassium Iodide Azide solution (reagent No.2) is oxidized by manganic sulfate, releasing free iodine into the water. The amount of iodine released is directly proportional to the amount of oxygen present in the original sample. The release of free iodine is indicated by the sample turning a yellow-brown colour. Chemically, this reaction can be written as:
Mn2(SO4)3 + 2KI = 2MnSO4 + K2SO4 + I2
Manganic Sulfate + Potassium Iodide = Manganous Sulfate + Potassium Sulfate + Iodine
The wavelength of the yellow-brown colour is measured using a colorimeter. The darker, or more orange, the sample means that there is more Iodine and hence more dissolved oxygen in the sample.