Water Chemistry Basics: pH and Acidity

Water Chemistry Basics

• Water chemistry is the study of the chemical properties and reactions of water.
• It involves the analysis of water's physical and chemical characteristics, such as pH, temperature, and dissolved substances.

pH and Acidity

• pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in water.
• pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being basic.
• Acidity is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions and other acidic substances in water.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

• Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water.
• DO is essential for aquatic life, as it's necessary for respiration and metabolic processes.
• Low DO levels can indicate pollution or poor water quality.

Nutrients and Eutrophication

• Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for aquatic life, but excessive amounts can lead to eutrophication.
• Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants, leading to decreased water quality and habitat degradation.

Hardness and Alkalinity

• Water hardness is a measure of the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water.
• Alkalinity is a measure of the ability of water to neutralize acids, primarily due to the presence of bicarbonate and carbonate ions.
• Hardness and alkalinity affect water's ability to form scale, corrode pipes, and support aquatic life.

Organic Matter and BOD

• Organic matter includes plant and animal waste, decaying matter, and other carbon-based compounds.
• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen required to break down organic matter in water.
• High BOD levels indicate high levels of organic matter, which can lead to water quality issues.

Inorganic Compounds and Heavy Metals

• Inorganic compounds such as chloride, sulfate, and nitrate are commonly found in water.
• Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can be toxic to aquatic life and human health.
• Water chemistry analysis involves the detection and quantification of these inorganic compounds and heavy metals.

Water Chemistry Basics

• Water chemistry involves analyzing physical and chemical characteristics of water, such as pH, temperature, and dissolved substances.

pH and Acidity

• pH measures hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in water, with a scale of 0-14.
• pH 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic.
• Acidity measures the concentration of hydrogen ions and other acidic substances in water.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

• DO is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water.
• DO is essential for aquatic life, necessary for respiration and metabolic processes.
• Low DO levels indicate pollution or poor water quality.

Nutrients and Eutrophication

• Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for aquatic life.
• Excessive nutrients lead to eutrophication, causing excessive algae and plant growth.
• Eutrophication decreases water quality and habitat degradation.

Hardness and Alkalinity

• Water hardness measures calcium and magnesium ion concentrations.
• Alkalinity measures the ability to neutralize acids, primarily due to bicarbonate and carbonate ions.
• Hardness and alkalinity affect scale formation, pipe corrosion, and aquatic life support.

Organic Matter and BOD

• Organic matter includes plant and animal waste, decaying matter, and carbon-based compounds.
• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measures oxygen required to break down organic matter in water.
• High BOD levels indicate high organic matter, leading to water quality issues.

Inorganic Compounds and Heavy Metals

• Inorganic compounds like chloride, sulfate, and nitrate are commonly found in water.
• Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic can be toxic to aquatic life and human health.
• Water chemistry analysis involves detecting and quantifying inorganic compounds and heavy metals.