Mohr's silver nitrate method

A lab test can detect chloride (a type of salt) in water using a chemical called silver nitrate.

First, a water sample is collected. Then, silver nitrate is added drop by drop to the sample. If chloride is present, it reacts with the silver nitrate to form a white, cloudy substance called silver chloride.

The person doing the test keeps adding silver nitrate and swirling the sample until no more cloudiness appears. By counting how many drops were used, they can figure out how much chloride was in the water.

This simple method helps check for salt contamination in drinking water, rivers, lakes, or groundwater.