Aquatic Chemistry

Important Topics

Properties of the water molecule
hydrogen bonding
polarity
expansion on freezing
ability to hydrate ions
Dissolution of gases in water, oxygen content
Equilibrium of carbonate, bicarbonate and carbon dioxide in water.
Importance as buffer in water
Acidity and alkalinity of water
water can act as acid or base
Metal ions
Chelation
Effect of humic substances

The interaction of carbonates and carbon dioxide, water alkalinity, its pH, and metal ions such as calcium and magnesium is important. A reasonable amount of carbonate in the water will tend to prevent rapid shifts of pH, which, in natural bodies of water, can be devastating to biota.

Humic substances are also important--especially their ability to bind metal ions. Humic materials help to prevent the contamination of groundwater with high concentrations of   metal ions.

Chemistry topics:
(Basic chemistry topics which are applied in this chapter)

Overhead copies

Homework assignment:

Chapter 3, Questions 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 23

Definitions

Homework Solutions

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