LabQuest 15

Chloride and Salinity

INTRODUCTION
Chloride
Chloride, in the form of the Cl– ion, is one of the major inorganic anions, or negative ions, in
saltwater. Chloride ions come from the dissociation of salts, such as sodium chloride or calcium

py
chloride, in water.
NaCl(s) → Na+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
CaCl2(s) → Ca2+(aq) + 2 Cl–(aq)

co
These salts, and their resulting chloride ions, can originate from natural sources such as saltwater
intrusion, or manmade sources such as road salts and water softeners. Even water considered to
be fresh often contains salt ions. Compared to seawater or brackish water however, freshwater
has much lower levels of salt ions such as Na+ and Cl–; in fact, these ions are often lower in
concentration than hard-water ions such as calcium (Ca2+) and bicarbonate (HCO 3–). Due to this
variable ratio of ions, an ion-selective electrode is commonly used to specifically measure
chloride ion concentration.
Salinity
n
tio
Salinity is a measure of all salts dissolved in water, commonly expressed in parts per thousand,
ppt. Unlike chloride concentration, salinity is a measure of the total salt concentration, comprised
mostly of Na+ and Cl– ions in saltwater and brackish water. Even though there are smaller
quantities of other ions in seawater (e.g., K +, Mg2+, or SO42–), sodium and chloride ions represent
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about 91% of all seawater ions. The salinity of seawater is fairly constant, at about 35 ppt, while
brackish estuaries may have salinity levels between 1 ppt and 10 ppt.

Increased salinity has been observed in the lower reaches of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers
due to return of irrigation water. In these arid regions of the United States, water readily
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evaporates during irrigation, resulting in high concentrations of salt ions in the water that returns
to the rivers.

Salinity is also of interest in bodies of water where seawater mixes with freshwater, since aquatic
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organisms have varying abilities to survive at different salinity levels. Many saltwater organisms
survive in a salinity of up to 40 ppt, yet many freshwater organisms cannot live above 1 ppt.

Salinity is commonly determined by measuring the electrical conductance of the water. Since
most anions in seawater or brackish water are chloride ions, salinity of those types of water can
also be determined from chloride concentration using the following formula:
salinity (ppt) = 0.0018066 × Cl– (mg/L)

This conversion is not valid for freshwater or low-saline brackish water due to the varying
concentrations of chloride ions compared to other types of ions in the water.

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Test 15

SUMMARY OF METHODS
Method 1: Chloride Concentration Using a Chloride ISE
A Vernier Chloride Ion-Selective Electrode is used to measure the chloride ion concentration in
the water (in mg/L) either on site or after returning to the lab.
Method 2: Salinity Using a Conductivity Probe (Brackish Water or Seawater)
A Vernier Conductivity Probe is used to measure the salinity of the water. If salinity values
exceed 13 ppt, dilution of samples, as described in the procedure, will be necessary.
Method 3: Salinity Using a Salinity Sensor (Seawater or Brackish Water)
A Vernier Salinity Sensor is used to measure the salinity of the water.

METHOD 1: CHLORIDE CONCENTRATION (ISE)

MATERIALS
LabQuest
Vernier Chloride Ion-Selective Electrode
Low Standard (10 mg/L Cl–)
High Standard (1000 mg/L Cl–)
distilled water
waste container
sampling container (optional)
Very High Standard (20,000 mg/L Cl–) (optional)

COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF SAMPLES

l This test can be conducted on site or in the lab. A 100 mL water sample is required.
l It is important to obtain the water sample from below the surface of the water and as far
away from shore as is safe. If suitable areas of the body of water appear to be unreachable,
samplers consisting of a rod and container can be constructed for collection.
l If the testing cannot be conducted within a few hours, store samples in an ice chest or
refrigerator.

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 Chloride and Salinity

CALIBRATION

1. Place the Chloride ISE in the Chloride High Standard solution (included with
the ISE) for at least 30 minutes. Important: Make sure the ISE is not resting
on the bottom, and that the small white reference contacts are immersed.
Make sure no air bubbles are trapped below the ISE.

2. Calibrate the Chloride ISE.

l If your instructor directs you to use the stored calibration, proceed directly

to Step 4. Note: It is only recommended to use the stored calibration if the

ISE was calibrated on that day.
l If your instructor directs you to perform a new calibration, follow this
procedure. Note: It is recommended that the calibration be performed
prior to going into the field.

First Calibration Point

a. Ensure the Chloride ISE is still in the Chloride High Standard solution and connect the
Chloride ISE to LabQuest.
b. Choose Calibrate from the Sensors menu and select Calibrate Now.
c. Enter 1000 as the concentration of the standard in mg/L Cl– for Reading 1.
d. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

Second Calibration Point

e. Rinse the ISE thoroughly with distilled water and gently blot it dry with a tissue or paper
towel. Important: Failure to carefully rinse and dry the ISE will contaminate the
standard.
f. Place the tip of the ISE into the Low Standard (10 mg/L Cl–) if you are testing a
freshwater sample. If you are testing a seawater- or brackish-water sample, place the tip of
the ISE into the Very High Standard (20,000 mg/L Cl–). Note: Be sure that the ISE is not
resting on the bottom of the bottle and that the small white reference contacts are
immersed. Make sure no air bubbles are trapped below the ISE.
g. Enter 10 (the concentration of the Low Standard) or 20,000 (the concentration of the
Very High Standard) depending on which one you used for Reading 2.
h. After briefly swirling the solution, hold the ISE still and wait approximately 60 seconds
for the reading to stabilize.
i. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

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 Test 15

3. Save the calibration onto the sensor.

a. Select the Storage tab.
b. Tap Save Calibration to Sensor and follow the onscreen instructions to save the
calibration. Note: ISEs should be calibrated frequently. Only use a stored calibration on
the day the calibration was done.
c. Tap OK.
d. Rinse the Chloride ISE with distilled water into a waste container and gently dry off the
probe.
e. If the ISE is to be transported to the field, remove the cap from the Short-Term ISE
Soaking Bottle and fill it 3/4 full with High Standard. Slide the bottle’s cap onto the ISE,
insert it into the bottle, and tighten. Important: Do not leave the ISE soaking for more
than 24 hours. Long-term storage should be in the Long-Term ISE Storage Bottle.

PROCEDURE
4. With the ISE still soaking in the High Standard solution, ensure it is connected to LabQuest.
If using Data Matrix mode, check that the correct date and location are displayed.
5. Rinse the ISE thoroughly with distilled water into a waste container and gently blot it dry.
6. Place the tip of the ISE into the sample water. Note: Make sure the small white reference
contacts are immersed, and that the ISE is not resting on the bottom. Be sure no air bubbles
are trapped below the ISE.
7. After briefly swirling the solution, hold the ISE still and wait approximately 60 seconds for it
to stabilize. Note: If the reading is stable at 1 mg/L and has not changed, the calibration was
not saved and will need to be redone.
8. Once the Chloride ISE reading has stabilized, tap it to keep the value.
9. When finished with the Chloride ISE, rinse the tip thoroughly with distilled water, gently dry
off the probe and store properly.
10. If testing is complete at this time, stop data collection. If not, proceed to your next test.

CALCULATIONS (SEAWATER OR BRACKISH WATER ONLY)

1. Tap the Table tab to view the data. Record the Cl– value on the Data sheet (round to the
nearest 0.01 mg/L Cl–). Note: The sensor does not read values accurately below 0.1 mg/L. If
the reading is less than 0.1, write <0.1 on the Data sheet.

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 Chloride and Salinity

2. Determine the salinity of your sample. Use this formula to calculate the salinity, based on the
chloride concentration, Cl–
salinity (ppt) = 0.0018066 × Cl– (mg/L)
Record this value in the Data sheet (round to the nearest 0.1 ppt).

3. If using Data Matrix mode for collecting other water quality data, use the steps below to add
the salinity value to that file.
a. Choose New Manual Column from the Table menu.
b. Enter Salinity as the name and enter ppt as the units. Tap OK.
c. Tap in the cell of the correct date and location the sample was collected. Manually enter
the salinity value you have calculated.

DATA
Site Information

Name of site

Date of collection

Time of collection

Group members

Field Observations (e.g., weather, geography, and vegetation along stream)

Test Results

Chloride (mg/L Cl–)

Salinity (ppt)

Date test completed

Time test completed

Test completed by

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Test 15

METHOD 2: SALINITY USING A CONDUCTIVITY PROBE

MATERIALS
LabQuest
Vernier Conductivity Probe
5 ppt salinity standard
10 ppt salinity standard
distilled water
waste container
wash bottle
sampling container (optional)

COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF SAMPLES

l This test can be conducted on site or in the lab. A 100 mL water sample is required.
l It is important to obtain the water sample from below the surface of the water and as far
away from shore as is safe. If suitable areas of the body of water appear to be unreachable,
samplers consisting of a rod and container can be constructed for collection.
l If the testing cannot be conducted within a few hours, store samples in an ice chest or
refrigerator.

CALIBRATION
1. Calibrate the Conductivity Probe.
l If your instructor directs you to use the stored calibration, proceed directly to Step 3.

l If your instructor directs you to perform a new calibration for the Conductivity Probe,
proceed to Step 1a. Note: It is recommended that the calibration be performed prior to
going into the field.

First Calibration Point

a. Set the switch on the Conductivity Probe box to 0–20000 µS/cm (0–13 ppt) and connect
the probe to LabQuest.
b. Choose Change units from the Sensors menu and select ppt.
c. Choose Calibrate from the Sensors menu and select Calibrate Now.
d. Place the probe into the 5 ppt salinity standard. The hole near the tip of the probe should
be covered completely.
e. Enter 5 as the salinity for Reading 1.
f. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

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 Chloride and Salinity
Second Calibration Point
g. Rinse the Conductivity Probe with distilled water into a waste container.
h. Place the probe into the 10 ppt salinity standard. The hole near the tip of the probe should
be covered completely.
i. Enter 10 as the salinity for Reading 2.
j. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

2. Save the calibration onto the sensor.

a. Select the Storage tab.
b. Tap Save Calibration to Sensor and follow the onscreen instructions to save the
calibration.
c. Tap OK.
d. Rinse the Conductivity Probe with distilled water into a waste container. If the test will
not be completed immediately, gently dry off the probe and store properly.

PROCEDURE
3. Ensure the switch on the Conductivity Probe box is set to 0–20000 µS/cm (0–13 ppt) and that
it is connected to LabQuest.
4. The units should be reading ppt, indicating that the special salinity calibration has been
completed. If the units are not reading ppt, repeat Steps 1–2.
5. If using Data Matrix mode, check that the correct date and location are displayed.
6. Place the tip of the probe into the sample. The hole near the tip of the probe should be
covered completely. Note: The handle is not waterproof. Submerge the sensor tip no more
than 4–5 cm.
7. Wait for the reading to stabilize. If the reading is less than 13 ppt, tap it to keep the value. If
the reading is greater than 13 ppt, stop data collection without keeping the value and proceed
to Step 10.
8. When finished with the Conductivity Probe, rinse the tip thoroughly with distilled water into
a waste container and store properly.
9. If testing is complete at this time, stop data collection. If not, proceed to your next test.
Salinity greater than 13 ppt
10. If the salinity value was greater than 13 ppt, then the sample had a salinity value that was
beyond the upper range of the Conductivity Probe. The sample will need to be diluted to a
value that is within the range of the probe. Follow the steps below to dilute the sample.

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Test 15

a. Use a graduated cylinder to add 100 mL of the water sample to a 500 mL bottle.
b. Add 300 mL of distilled water to the sample in the bottle, screw on the lid, and shake.
c. Repeat the salinity measurement and record the value on the data table. Important: The
sample has been diluted by a factor of 4. Any salinity measurements made on this sample
will have to be multiplied by a factor of 4 to account for this dilution.

11. If using Data Matrix mode for collecting other water quality data, use the steps below to add
the correct salinity value to that file.
a. Choose New Manual Column from the Table menu.
b. Enter Salinity as the name and ppt as the units. Tap OK.
c. Tap in the cell of the correct date and location the sample was collected. Manually enter
the salinity you have calculated.

DATA
Site Information

Name of site

Date of collection

Time of collection

Group members

Field Observations (e.g., weather, geography, and vegetation along stream)

Test Results

Salinity (ppt)

Date test completed

Time test completed

Test completed by

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 Chloride and Salinity

METHOD 3: SALINITY USING A SALINITY SENSOR

MATERIALS
LabQuest
Vernier Salinity Sensor
distilled water
waste container
sampling container (optional)
wash bottle (optional)
25 ppt Salinity Standard (optional)
35 ppt Salinity Standard (optional)

COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF SAMPLES

l This test can be conducted on site or in the lab. A 100 mL water sample is required.
l It is important to obtain the water sample from below the surface of the water and as far
away from shore as is safe. If suitable areas of the body of water appear to be unreachable,
samplers consisting of a rod and container can be constructed for collection.
l If the testing cannot be conducted within a few hours, store samples in an ice chest or
refrigerator.

CALIBRATION
1. Calibrate the Salinity Sensor.
l If your instructor directs you to use the stored calibration, proceed directly to Step 3.

l If your instructor directs you to perform a new calibration, proceed to Step 1a. Note: It is
recommended that the calibration be performed prior to going into the field.

First Calibration Point

a. Connect the Salinity Sensor to LabQuest.
b. Choose Calibrate from the Sensors menu and select Calibrate Now.
c. Place the sensor tip into the 25 ppt salinity standard. The hole near the tip of the probe
should be covered completely.
d. Enter 25 as the salinity for Reading 1.
e. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

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Test 15
Second Calibration Point
f. Rinse the Salinity Sensor with distilled water into a waste container.
g. Place the sensor tip into the 35 ppt salinity standard. The hole near the tip of the probe
should be covered completely.
h. Enter 35 as the salinity for Reading 2.
i. When the voltage reading stabilizes, tap Keep.

2. Save the calibration onto the sensor.

a. Tap the Storage tab.
b. Tap Save Calibration to Sensor and follow the onscreen instructions to save the
calibration.
c. Tap OK.
d. Rinse the Salinity Sensor with distilled water into a waste container. If the test will not be
completed immediately, gently dry off the probe and store properly.

PROCEDURE
3. Ensure the Salinity Sensor is connected to LabQuest. If using Data Matrix mode, check that
the correct date and location are displayed.
4. Place the tip of the probe into the sample water. The hole near the tip of the probe should be
covered completely. Note: The handle is not waterproof. Submerge the sensor tip no more
than 4–5 cm.
5. Once the salinity reading has stabilized, tap it to keep the value.
6. When finished with the Salinity Sensor, rinse the tip thoroughly with distilled water into a
waste container and store properly.
7. If testing is complete at this time, stop data collection. If not, proceed to your next test.

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 Chloride and Salinity

DATA
Site Information

Name of site

Date of collection

Time of collection

Group members

Field Observations (e.g., weather, geography, and vegetation along stream)

Test Results

Salinity (ppt)

Date test completed

Time test completed

Test completed by

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 Vernier Lab Safety
Instructions Disclaimer
THIS IS AN EVALUATION COPY OF THE VERNIER STUDENT LAB.

This copy does not include:

l Safety information
l Essential instructor background information
l Directions for preparing solutions
l Important tips for successfully performing this test

The complete Water Quality with Vernier lab manual includes 18 tests and essential
teacher information. The full lab book is available for purchase at www.vernier.com/wqv

Vernier Software & Technology

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