Hi.
Total Alkalinity - does this buffer just the addition of acid, or does it also buffer the addition of a base (I'm assuming not - that's "acidity" right?)
I understand that if water has a non-zero total alkalinity, it's pH (and TA) will drop when acid is added. The pH drop will be less so than if there was no (or lower) TA.
But what about if a base is added? Will the pH increase less?
I guess the reason for my question is why bother with TA at all? Wouldn't acid be more effective if there were no TA (assuming that TA does not have any effect on the addition of bases). We need to frequently add acid, so why inhibit it's effect with TA?
Bob.
Total Alkalinity - does this buffer just the addition of acid, or does it also buffer the addition of a base (I'm assuming not - that's "acidity" right?)
I understand that if water has a non-zero total alkalinity, it's pH (and TA) will drop when acid is added. The pH drop will be less so than if there was no (or lower) TA.
But what about if a base is added? Will the pH increase less?
I guess the reason for my question is why bother with TA at all? Wouldn't acid be more effective if there were no TA (assuming that TA does not have any effect on the addition of bases). We need to frequently add acid, so why inhibit it's effect with TA?
Bob.