Verde Guatemala Series
What is Alkalinity?
The ability of water to neutralize acid is called "Alkalinity". In other words, it refers to the condition that occurs as a result of water resisting acidification. The total value of bicarbonate, hydroxide, and carbonates dissolved in water gives the Alkalinity value.
Alkalinity is a resistance that measures the acid buffering capacity of water in quantity and directly affects the pH value in pool water. The pH value affected by the alkalinity ratio also indirectly affects the oxidation, chlorine level, and disinfection applications in the pool water.
Alkalinity represents optimum pool water capacity for swimming by providing hygiene and health and thereby makes the action of other pool chemicals possible. Besides, it keeps invisible germs, algae, and many other contaminants from dwelling within the exposed part of the pool. Besides, alkalinity serves as a gate because it regulates the walls and floor tiles of the pools to look perfect and be like when installed first. Through the proper ratio of alkalinity, we monitor the pH value, accordingly balancing the substances and making sure our tiles are not among the ones that get hurt within the pool water.
Besides of hydroxyl, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions, the water also contains a certain amount of chemicals in a balance. This balance is the root cause of the pH value of the water. The level of alkalinity in the package, unfortunately, depends on the water quality. The water also undergoes chemical changes through its process of filtration leaving chemicals. The degree of alkalinity may be measured in terms of gross measure/formulation of alkalinity in water for measurement.
Alkalinity test kits are used in pool waters whose alkalinity degree is to be determined. Since the pH value of each pool is not equal, it is observed that the alkalinity degrees also give different results. The formula for the total alkalinity degree is as follows:
T= P + M (mg/L CaCO3) = A.N.50000 / mL sample
The symbol A in the given equation represents the total amount of H2SO4 consumed until the end of the 2nd turning point. The symbol N represents the solution normality of sulfuric acid in water.
The alkalinity test kit is an equipment used to measure the alkalinity in drinking water and pool water. Alkalinity test kits include an MR indicator, titration solution, and test tube. Before using alkalinity test kits, make sure that the pool water is hygienic. After adding pool water to the test kit and shaking, the test tube should be filled with the pool water to be tested up to the designated line (usually 5 ml). Add 3 drops of MR indicator and shake the test tube until the water turns green. The titration solution is added dropwise into the water until the green color turns slightly red. After the procedures, the number of drops is multiplied by 50 to determine the total alkalinity ratio. The amount of drops varies according to the pH of the water used in each alkalinity test.
Conditions that increase the degree of alkalinity:
Alkalinity higher than the critical value can be very dangerous for people from a medicinal standpoint, because of water consumption and bodily contact with water. High pH levels occur when you ingest alkaline drinking water, since this may lead to different disorders by adversely affecting the body's normal pH balance. Facing pools can also inflict many skin diseases that menace human health due to improper equipment for water cleaning and high caustic value. Moreover, exposure to the pool environment to chances of calcium accumulation or waste joints could shorten a pool life span.
Conditions that reduce the degree of alkalinity:
The average alkalinity value in pool water is between 80 and 120 ppm. If there is an alkalinity ratio below the mentioned values, the acidic properties in the water are more dominant, and the basic properties of the water are more dominant in the alkalinity ratio above the mentioned value. Generally, pp values between 80-120 are valid for pool types such as outdoor, indoor, Olympic, and semi-Olympic. The alkalinity value can be kept lower in pools where swimming is not practiced, such as ornamental pools and foot pools.
If the alkalinity value in the pool water is high, more acid must be added to regulate the pH level. Although the pH value resists to a certain point in pool waters with a high alkalinity ratio, it comes back to its old value after a while. High pH value also negatively affects the disinfection and chlorine rates used in pool water. Very high alkalinity values damage pool coatings and cause calcification. Another effect of high alkalinity in pool water is that it clogs filter systems. Especially in pools where sand filters are used, the filtration system is damaged and cannot give the desired performance and the pool water cannot be cleaned sufficiently.
The degree of alkalinity is very important in terms of both human health and the protection of pool floors in pools. Periodic pool maintenance and cleaning ensures that the chemicals used in connection with the pH value of the pool water can easily dissolve and clean the pool water. If the alkalinity ratio is in ideal numbers, the pH value is not affected and it becomes possible to easily clean the pool with disinfectant materials. If the alkalinity ratio is less or more than it should be, this situation also changes the pH balance and makes the chemicals used lose their functionality. Thus, pools cannot be fully cleaned and dirty substances such as bacteria, microorganisms, and algae begin to form.
