Test River pH: Make an Indicator at Home

[Jason49]

I need to test the ph of river. I need a method of making an indicator that I can make at home. Please help !

 

[Simon Bridge]

Welcome to PF;
Have you tried googling "make your own ph indicator"?

If you boil red cabbage - the water turns purple - the color is sensitive to pH.

 

[Jason49]

Thanks

 

[NascentOxygen]

I need to test the ph of river. I need a method of making an indicator that I can make at home. Please help !

Do you know approximately what pH to expect? Is the river badly polluted? Is there any animal life present in the water?

I remember making an indicator from the purple juice of "ink weed" berries. It turned green in an alkali, I think.

 

[DeeNos]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out regarding your need to test the pH of a river. I understand the importance of monitoring the pH of bodies of water, as it can greatly impact the health of aquatic life and the overall ecosystem.

One method of making an indicator at home is by using red cabbage. Red cabbage contains a natural pH indicator that changes color depending on the acidity or basicity of a solution. Here is a simple procedure you can follow to create your own indicator using red cabbage:

Materials:
- Red cabbage (approximately 1/4 head)
- Water (enough to cover the cabbage)
- Pot or saucepan
- Strainer
- Clear glass or plastic container
- Lemon juice or vinegar (acidic solution)
- Baking soda (basic solution)

Procedure:
1. Cut the red cabbage into small pieces and place them in a pot or saucepan.
2. Add enough water to cover the cabbage and bring it to a boil.
3. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes until the water turns a deep purple color.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool down.
5. Once cooled, strain the cabbage leaves and transfer the purple liquid into a clear container.
6. This liquid is your homemade indicator. You can store it in the refrigerator for future use.
7. To test the pH of the river, fill a small container with river water and add a few drops of the indicator.
8. Observe the color change and compare it to a color chart to determine the pH level. Red or pink indicates acidity, while green or blue indicates basicity.

I hope this method of making an indicator at home is helpful for your pH testing needs. It is important to note that this is a simple and approximate method, and for more accurate results, it is recommended to use a commercially available pH testing kit.

Best of luck with your testing and please let me know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,