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pH of the Lower Cape Fear Estuary

pH of the Lower Cape Fear Estuary. Nate Cline CHM 576 November 30, 2009. pH. Measure of acidity or basicity of a solution Commonly measured water parameter Impacts many chemical and biological processes pH = - log [H ⁺] Normal scale ranges 0 – 14 < 7 is acidic > 7 is basic

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pH of the Lower Cape Fear Estuary

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  1. pH of the Lower Cape Fear Estuary Nate Cline CHM 576 November 30, 2009

  2. pH • Measure of acidity or basicity of a solution • Commonly measured water parameter • Impacts many chemical and biological processes • pH = - log [H⁺] • Normal scale ranges 0 – 14 • < 7 is acidic • > 7 is basic • = 7 is neutral

  3. Factors that Affect pH • Salinity • Increases with increasing salinity • Depth • σsaltwater > σfresh water, therefore pHdeep > pHsurface • Rainfall • Rain is acidic, so pH decreases with increasing rainfall • Photosynthetic Activity • Increases with removal of CO2 H2O + CO2 (CH2O)n + O2 • Less carbonic acid available to dissociate

  4. Conclusions • pH and salinity are directly related • pH increases as salinity increase • pH and depth are directly related • pH increases as depth increases • pH could be affected by by rainfall • Significant rainfall observed during Cruise 2 • Noticeable pH differences between surface and deep during Cruise 2 • Rainfall data needed before conclusions can be made

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