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.

Learn the fundamentals of water chemistry, including pH, acidity, and the chemical properties of water. Understand the pH scale and its significance in measuring water's chemical characteristics.