HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -When a water’s pH is above 8.3, its alkalinity tends to come from carbonate ions, and below that threshold the alkalinity usually comes from bicarbonate ions. Measuring alkalinity is important in determining water’s ability to neutralize acidic pollution from rainfall or wastewater.

Detailed explanation-2: -The most important compounds in water that determine alkalinity include the carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions. Carbonate ions are able to react with and neutralize 2 hydrogen ions (H+) and the bicarbonate ions are able to neutralize H+ or hydroxide ions (OH-) present in water.

Detailed explanation-3: -Alkalinity is a measure of the acid-neutralizing capacity of water. It is an aggregate measure of the sum of all titratable bases in the sample. Alkalinity in most natural waters is due to the presence of carbonate (CO3=), bicarbonate (HCO3-), and hydroxyl (OH-) anions.