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pH
With the public outrage and tough laws against water pollution caused
by
industrial waste water, all factories are now strictly controlling discharge
of
waste. Currently, each local government designates water-quality standards and
enforces restrictions. The pH of discharged water is one of the most measured
items under water-quality regulations. Although pH does not necessarily
indicate a particular kind of pollution, it is closely related with the
survival of aquatic life. Abnormal pH can cause settling of halomorphic
compounds and pollution of water. Also, each factory is required to treat its
waste water to conform to the quality standard for waste water. Measuring pH
is
important in this process, too. For example, at a plating plant, treatment
efficiency is greatly affected by pH of the processing solution when removing
cyanide or chromium from waste water.
The pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water. Pure water
has a
pH of 7, which is neutral; under 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline or
basic.
Values of pH are based on the logarithmic scale, meaning that for each
1.0
change of pH, acidity changes by a factor of 10. Most marine organisms
prefer conditions with pH values ranging from about 6.5 to 8.5. Many
species
have trouble surviving if pH drops under 5.0 or rises above 9.0. The
pH is
affected by the level of bacterial activity, DO level, water turbulence
and
various chemicals in runoff flowing into the water.
pH
A waste’s pH is a measure of its acidic or alkaline quality. Most
grasses
and legumes, as well as many shrubs and deciduous trees, grow best in
soils
with a pH range from 5.5 to 7.5. If a waste is sufficiently acidic or
alkaline5
to move soil pH out of that range, it can hamper plant growth. Acidic
waste
promotes leaching of metals, because most metals are more soluble under
acidic
conditions than neutral or alkaline conditions. Once in solution, the
metals
would be available for plant uptake or could migrate to ground water.
Alkaline
conditions inhibit movement of most metals. Extreme alkalinity, where
pH is
greater than 11, impairs growth of most soil microorganisms and can increase
the mobility of zinc, cadmium, and lead. Aqueous waste with a pH of 2
or less
or a pH of 12.5 or more meets the definition of hazardous waste under
federal
regulations (40 CFR 261.22(a)). If the pH of a waste makes it too acidic
for
land application, you can consider adjusting waste pH before application.
Lime
is often used to raise pH, but other materials are also available. The
pH is
also important to consider when developing waste handling and storage
procedures
Is Imbalanced pH Really Dangerous?
Yes, it is! Few living thing do well in an overly acidic or alkaline
pH medium,
the human body least of all! Just as acid rain can destroy plants and
alkaline
wastes can pollute waterways, an imbalanced pH can corrode all body tissue.
This can slowly damage the 60,000 miles of veins and arteries in
the body. If
unchanged, an imbalanced pH can disrupt all cellular activities and functions,
from the beating of the heart to the basic processes of your brain...
An
imbalanced pH interferes with everything that makes your body work!
Back to Metafix CTP pH Control
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