Alkalinity is the quantitative capacity of a water sample to neutralize an acid to a set pH. This measurement is very important in determining the corrosive characteristics of water due primarily to hydroxide, carbonate, and bicarbonate ions. Other sources of alkalinity can be from anions that can be hydrolyzed such as phosphates, silicates, borates, fluoride, and salts of some organic acids. Alkalinity is critical in the treatments of drinking water, wastewater, boiler and cooling systems, and soils.
Alkalinity can be measured as Phenolphthalein Alkalinity and Total Alkalinity. The Phenolphthalein Alkalinity is determined by neutralizing the sample to a pH of 8.3 using a dilute hydrochloric acid solution and a phenolphthalein indicator. This process converts hydroxide ions to water, and carbonate ions to bicarbonate ions:
OH¯ + HCl → H₂O + Cl¯ CO₃²- + HCl → HCO₃¯ + Cl¯
Since bicarbonate ions can be converted to carbonic acid with additional hydrochloric acid, the Phenolphthalein Alkalinity measures total hydroxide ions, but only half of the bicarbonate contribution. To completely convert the carbonate ions, hydrochloric acid is added until the sample pH is 4.5, which is known as Total Alkalinity:
HCO₃¯ + HCl → H₂CO₃ + Cl¯
Total titratable alkalinity is a measure of primarily three types of alkalinities present in a water sample: hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate. Alkalinity in water can be the result of contributions from common chemicals, including carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, phosphates, borate and organic acid salts.
The alkalinity of a water sample indicates its ability to resist pH change. The amount of alkalinity in water is mostly due to the bicarbonate/carbonate present. A low alkalinity level indicates that the water is susceptible to pH changes, while a high alkalinity level indicates that the water will be able to resist pH changes. Alkalinity can also be used to determine the corrosive capacity of water and can provide an estimation of water hardness.
Monitoring the alkalinity, chloride, hardness, phosphate, pH, and sulfite concentrations in boiler and feedwater is essential in preventing hazardous or costly situations. These parameters are important in determining the corrosive characteristics of water due to carbonates and chloride.
Alkalinity is one of the most important parameters to measure in aquariums. It helps to maintain a stable pH, an important factor for most aquatic life. In seawater, bicarbonate is the largest contributor to alkalinity and is a critical element needed for healthy corals. Corals need bicarbonate and carbonate available to form their skeletons.
As per Pool and Spa Water Testing, alkalinity is the measure of the total concentration of alkaline substances, mostly bicarbonates, dissolved in the water. The higher the alkalinity, the more resistant the water is to pH change. At the same time, high alkaline water is a major contributor to scaling problems like incrustation in filtration equipment, pumps, and piping.
It is recommended to maintain the alkalinity value within the range from 80 to 125 ppm as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
