What is Alkalinty... in Layman's Terms???

[GoVols]

Can someone please explain alkalinity regarding reef parameters in simple layman terms?

Is it some kind of buffering capacity of many things, or an actual separate ion like calcium and magnesium?

Thanks for taking the time... :)

 

[ScottR]

I read this article that I posted a link to awhile back. They have an “in layman’s terms” part in it.

https://www.tidalgardens.com/blog/alkalinity/

 

[SPR1968]

Can someone please explain alkalinity regarding reef parameters in simple layman terms?

Is it some kind of buffering capacity of many things, or an actual separate ion like calcium and magnesium?

Thanks for taking the time... :)

You may have already seen this Freddie, but alkalinity is explained within it.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

As to ‘layman terms’ this might be enough

 

[EMeyer]

Can someone please explain alkalinity regarding reef parameters in simple layman terms?

Is it some kind of buffering capacity of many things, or an actual separate ion like calcium and magnesium?

Thanks for taking the time... :)

Basically its the former, although in seawater this is primarily accomplished by bicarbonate ions. Still, better to think about it as buffering capacity since that is how it is measured, and that is the parameter that matters (rather than [HC03] specifically)

 

[Subsea]

Bicarbonate alkalinity combined with photosynthesis produces glucose which is nature’s way to carbon dose.

 

[Steve Erekson]

Total Alkalinity is the shortcut way we use to measure the concentration of bicarbonate ions in our tanks which are important for coral skeletal growth as well as maintaining pH within acceptable ranges.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Can someone please explain alkalinity regarding reef parameters in simple layman terms?

Is it some kind of buffering capacity of many things, or an actual separate ion like calcium and magnesium?

Thanks for taking the time... :)

Alk. is an element in ocean water essiental to growth and zurvival of some creatures in the ocean.
Example just like we humans need calcium, potassium, iron, in vitamins, in natural fruits, vegetables Meats, Fish, seafood same with the ocean they need certain elements to live Thrive and grow.

 

[W1ngz]

Alk. is an element in ocean water essiental to growth and zurvival of some creatures in the ocean.
Example just like we humans need calcium, potassium, iron, in vitamins, in natural fruits, vegetables Meats, Fish, seafood same with the ocean they need certain elements to live Thrive and grow.

I hate to be disagreeable or call someone out but this is incorrect. Alkalinity is not an element, ion or molecule. It's not a 'thing' at all. It's a measurement.
The descriptions above regarding buffering capacity involving the overall effect of multiple different ions and compounds in the water are the closest in layman's terms.

 

[Aquanautical]

Alkalinity involves the chemical property of weak acids.

Back to gen chem from freshman year, simply put a weak acid is an acid (donates protons to sol'n) that has characteristics that determine what that amount is. This is different to a strong acid like HCl that will always donate protons to a sol'n (simple explanation here not fully true).

Weak acids make a buffer which means they they have a property of balance between the molecules that have donated protons and the ones that haven't, this is constantly changing but a weak acid will have a pH number that it generally hangs around thus it the sol'n is buffered.

If you add protons to a buffered sol'n the free - ions will take them up and remove them from sol'n keeping the pH somewhat stable.

Ok wrapping up Alk we measure is the buffering ability of seawater in our tanks, it is what keeps the pH pretty constant. It is composed of h2co3, hco3- , and co3 2-

 

[Subsea]

The first link to tidal gardens is concise & correct.

Alkalinity is a measurement of the amount of acid it takes to change pH. Carbonate alkalinity is that part of alkalinity that is derived from limestone dissolving in water. In the ocean, when carbon dioxide gas combines with water, a weak carbonic acid is formed which then combines with carbonate alkalinity to form bicarbonate alkalinity. Bicarbonate alkalinity combines during photosynthesis to form glucose, which is carbon.

Dana Riddle said it his way,

https://reefs.com/magazine/light-intensity-requirements-of-shallow-tidepool-coral/

“Photosynthesis, as we know, is a link between the inorganic and organic worlds, where sunlight is harvested by photopigments (such as chlorophyll) and, in a series of complicated steps, oxygen is produced and carbon dioxide is converted to simple sugar. In a terrestrial environment, there are ‘sun’ plants and ‘shade’ plants to exploit various light fields. The same is true in aquatic worlds. Both environments share another commonality – photosynthesis is regulated in similar fashions. “

 

[Victoria M]

I read this article that I posted a link to awhile back. They have an “in layman’s terms” part in it.

https://www.tidalgardens.com/blog/alkalinity/

That is an excellent description.

 

[ScottR]

That is an excellent description.

I used to think that alk was something for corals to eat. Back in the day it was common to hear “my tank eats alk”. While not wrong, it’s incomplete.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I hate to be disagreeable or call someone out but this is incorrect. Alkalinity is not an element, ion or molecule. It's not a 'thing' at all. It's a measurement.
The descriptions above regarding buffering capacity involving the overall effect of multiple different ions and compounds in the water are the closest in layman's terms.

Your right, if I think hard it's not on the periodic table. I was seeing if your paying attention. :)

That's why I stick to NPS softies, less thinking. Heeee

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can someone please explain alkalinity regarding reef parameters in simple layman terms?

Is it some kind of buffering capacity of many things, or an actual separate ion like calcium and magnesium?

Thanks for taking the time... :)

It is a measure of bicarbonate and carbonate in the water. Corals need it for the carbonate part of calcium carbonate skeletons.

 

[GoVols]

It is a measure of bicarbonate and carbonate in the water.

Randy,

Is dkh, a measurement of those two's buffering capacity?

That determines your alk?

 

[JVU]

The actual measurement is the alkaline (basic) buffering capacity. In other words, when you add acid, how well does it resist lowering the pH (stabilize the pH).

In practice and practical terms in saltwater tanks, we use it as a measurement of bicarbonate and carbonate, which are important for stoney coral growth, as Randy and others have said.

 

[Streetcred]

Alkalinity is the measure of the ability of the 'water' to overcome acidification caused by urea, detritus, etc., to maintain pH in an acceptable range. That is about as 'layman' as I can get it ;-)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Alkalinity is a measurement of dissolved alkaline substances in water typically higher than 7.0 pH level. It indicates the water's ability to neutralize acid. There are three primary types:

• Bicarbonate
• Carbonate
• Hydroxide

Pure water, at 7.0 pH has the perfect balance of hydrogen in it. Its molecules (H2O) dissociate into an equal amount of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

The pH of the water determines which form of alkalinity is most prevalent in that moment

 

[GoVols]

Alkalinity is the measure of the ability of the 'water' to overcome acidification caused by urea, detritus, etc., to maintain pH in an acceptable range. That is about as 'layman' as I can get it ;-)

...... ;Bookworm
................. ;Writing

:)

 

[carmodpg]

Alkalinity is a measurement of dissolved alkaline substances in water typically higher than 7.0 pH level. It indicates the water's ability to neutralize acid. There are three primary types:

• Bicarbonate
• Carbonate
• Hydroxide

Pure water, at 7.0 pH has the perfect balance of hydrogen in it. Its molecules (H2O) dissociate into an equal amount of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

The pH of the water determines which form of alkalinity is most prevalent in that moment[/QUOTE


My wife is a chemistry teacher and this was the only response that the she said “that’s a very good explanation.”