pH

A measure of the acid content of the water. River water in this area tends to be somewhat alkaline, under normal conditions. Water containing a great deal of organic pollution (i.e. in which a lot of bacterial breakdown is occurring) will be somewhat acidic. Most forms of aquatic life tend to be very sensitive to pH.

INSTRUCTIONS USING TEST KIT:

1. Rinse the two test tubes included in the Hach kit several times in the river water.

2. Fill both tubes with river water to the first line (5 ml. mark).

3. Add 6 drops of Hach Wide Range pH indicator to one tube and swirl to mix. Place this tube in the right opening of the comparator wheel.

4. Place the sample of untreated river water into the left opening of the comparator wheel.

5. Hold the comparator wheel up to a white piece of paper reflecting the sun. Rotate the wheel until the color on the wheel matches the color of the sample containing the pH indicator.

6. Read the pH of the sample from the window at the bottom of the comparator.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

Is your site acidic (<6) or alkaline (>8)?

EFFECTS OF ACIDIC WATER:

• Fish don't adapt easily to changes in pH and may die
• Fish death may lead to a decrease in the variety and quality of other aquatic life.
• Highly acidic water can dissolve heavy metals from sediments, releasing them into the water.
• Acidic water can dissolve copper or lead from water pipes.

EFFECTS OF ALKALINE WATER:

• Organisms are sensitive to high pH levels

WHY DOES YOUR SITE HAVE A PROBLEM?

• List all the industries you know of that are upstream (within 10 miles)
• How many coal fired power plants, coke plants or steel mills are upwind of your site (within 40 miles)?
• Which direction does the rain usually come from?
• Have you tested the pH of the rain?
• Do you get smog in your area?
• What kinds of rocks line your river? Limestone? Sandstone? Shale? Granite?
• Have you tested well water for pH?
• Does the rock in our area have buffering capability?

*SINCE THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM CAUSED BY CONDITIONS MANY MILES AWAY, WHOM MAY YOU HAVE TO CONTACT IN ORDER TO SOLVE IT?

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