I am in charge of reporting the level of certain minerals as well oil and grease in the wastewater of one of the shops my employer owns. I also have to report the PH. level. It has to be between 6 and 9. Why?
2007-07-31 12:21:46 · 5 answers · asked by Laura R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Discharge limits of various waste streams vary depending on where you are discharging to. Whether directly to a stream or into a sewer line.
Ph is important as if it is to high or to low it will kill beneficial bacteria in the sewage treatment plant or the bio system in a stream. Also certain natural minerals (like Arsenic) which may be relatively harmlessly present in soil, are locked in place with normal Ph. Excessive Ph (hi/lo) will unlock these minerals and compounds allowing them to leach out of the soil and into the water.
Some chemical reactions occur in the presence of acids or bases so maintaining limits prevent these reactions from occurring.
Excessive Ph will also corrode piping. This not only damages the piping but leaches material into the water which can have a negative down stream impact
2007-07-31 23:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by MarkG 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pH level of water matters because it can affecting it's environment accordingly.
Normal pH levels for water is 7, which is neither acidic or alkaline. Which is good, otherwise it would mess with our bodies.
Too low of a pH level and it becomes acidic, think of hydrochloric acid, it burns!
Too high of a pH level and certain normal reactions to water are intensified or absent.
2007-07-31 19:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by AibohphobiA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ph is the measure of alkalinity of a solution. if the ph level is too low, say 1-5, your solution is basic (base - lacks acid). if it''s too high, say 10-12, it's too acidic. in your case, levels 6-9 might be the right pH level for the wastewater....
2007-07-31 19:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by hacker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The natural pH of water is 7, which is neither an acid or a base. Both pure acids and pure bases CAN be harmful to one's health (though not always--citris friuts, for instance, are healthy and are very high in acid). It is important for water to be neutral because that means no chemicals that are either acids or bases are in the water...which means it is pure, and no one wants to drink unpure water (distorted taste, chemicals, etc). Therefore, the pH of water is very important. Hope that helps!
2007-07-31 19:28:17 · answer #4 · answered by So Simple 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if its too high it will be to acidic
2007-07-31 19:25:17 · answer #5 · answered by Esteban=D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋