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The Analysis of Seawater: A Laboratory-Centered Learning Project in General Chemistry

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Jodye I. Selco , Julian L. Roberts Jr. and Daniel B. Wacks

Chemistry Department, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA 92373

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (1), p 54

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p54

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 2003

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A laboratory-centered learning project for general chemistry on the analysis of seawater is described. Each laboratory section of 16–20 students is divided into teams of four students; each student works for three weeks on the project. Aggregation of all the class data gives the proximate total analysis (>99%) of the major ionic constituents of seawater. The experimental design includes both qualitative analysis for cations and anions and the quantitative analysis of four cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and three anions (Cl^-, SO₄^2-, Br^-) by a variety of gravimetric, volumetric, and instrumental methods. During the three-week project each group writes two draft reports and a final report that summarizes the group's and class's experimental work. Each group member receives a grade based on the overall quality of the report as well as their contributions to the project.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Analytical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Collaborative / Cooperative Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Aqueous Solution Chemistry

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