Quantcast
Advertisement

Alkalinity

Last updated: November 4, 2018

What Does Alkalinity Mean?

Alkalinity is the term used to describe the quantifiable capacity of aqueous solutions to make acids neutral. Accurate measurement of alkalinity is essential in the determination of the capacity to neutralize pollution in wastewater or other things, such as rainfall.

Corrosion can take place in water with high alkalinity. Hence, measures should be taken to prevent its occurrence.

Advertisement

Corrosionpedia Explains Alkalinity

Alkalinity is the ability to buffer acids. The measure of alkalinity is crucial in identifying the degree of buffering water has undergone against abrupt pH changes. It should be remembered that alkalinity is not a type of pH, since that refers to the levels of hydrogen ions within a concentration.

Along with pH and hardness, alkalinity identifies whether a body of water may corrode or produce scaling. Although corrosion is generally a result of low pH in water, increased alkalinity reduces calcium carbonate solubility, resulting in scaling. Although chemical scaling may safeguard against corrosion, these can become hazardous when bacteria establish beneath the scale. The problem that then arises is microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).

Alkalinity, as one of the causes of corrosion in water should be strictly observed in order to prevent the possible impact or negative effects that corrosive water could bring to the public and industry. Apart from corroding plumbing fixtures and pipelines, toxic water can be detrimental to health as well. Thus, corrosion in water should also be a major concern in industry.

Advertisement

Share This Term

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Related Reading

Trending Articles

Go back to top