Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Carbonate hardness, is a measure of the water hardness caused by the presence of carbonate (CO 2− 3) and bicarbonate (HCO − 3) anions. Carbonate hardness is usually expressed either in degrees KH (from the German "Karbonathärte"), or in parts per million calcium carbonate ( ppm CaCO 3 or grams CaCO 3 per litre|mg/L).
Carbonate hardness is a measure of the concentration of carbonates such as calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3) per volume of water. As a unit 1 dKH is the same as 1 °dH which is equal to approximately 0.1786 mmol/L or 10.02 milligrams (mg) of calcium carbonate per litre of water, i.e. 17.86 ppm.
A bathtub faucet with built-up calcification from hard water in Southern Arizona. Hard water is water that has a high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum, [1] which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates.
Minerals containing calcium and magnesium form soluble bicarbonates when exposed to carbonic acid. Water containing these minerals is known as "hard water". [citation needed] When hard water is heated in a plumbing system, carbon dioxide goes out of solution, and bicarbonates become carbonates, which are much less soluble.
The grain per gallon (gpg) is a unit of water hardness defined as 1 grain (64.8 milligrams) of calcium carbonate dissolved in 1 US gallon of water (3.785412 L). It translates into 1 part in about 58,000 parts of water or 17.1 parts per million (ppm). Also called Clark degree (in terms of an imperial gallon).
Water hardness is also a critical factor in food processing and may be altered or treated by using a chemical ion exchange system. It can dramatically affect the quality of a product, as well as playing a role in sanitation. Water hardness is classified based on concentration of calcium carbonate the water contains.
The most familiar of these is probably the presence of calcium (Ca 2+) and magnesium (Mg 2+) that interfere with the cleaning action of soap, and can form hard sulfate and soft carbonate deposits in water heaters or boilers. [13] Hard water may be softened to remove these ions. The softening process often substitutes sodium cations. [14]
The aquatic inorganic carbon system is composed of the various ionic, dissolved, solid, and/or gaseous forms of carbon dioxide in water. These species include dissolved carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, bicarbonate anion, carbonate anion, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and others. The relative amounts of each species in a body of water ...