The pH of healthy lakes is around 6.0. Due to acid rain, the pH of our lakes & rivers is decreasing. At low pH levels, producers such as phytoplankton cannot thrive. Decreased plankton can cause consumer populations to crash. The end result is a lake devoid of life. If the pH of an unhealthy lake is 4.0, explain why adding NaOH would not be a good compound to "de-acidify" the lake to a healthy pH."
Well...such a change would be disruptive, but is there any specific scientific reason?
Thanks,
Lucy
2 answers
what effect will all those sodium salts have on the flora and fauna in the lake?
Oh...I think I understand now.
Does this make sense?
Sodium hydroxide will react with the acids in the lake to form water and a salt.
Flora and fauna cannot thrive in a salty environment (from what I remember in biology class, osmosis draws out water from their cells). Therefore, adding sodium hydroxide would be harmful to these organisms living in the lake.
Does this make sense?
Sodium hydroxide will react with the acids in the lake to form water and a salt.
Flora and fauna cannot thrive in a salty environment (from what I remember in biology class, osmosis draws out water from their cells). Therefore, adding sodium hydroxide would be harmful to these organisms living in the lake.
1 answer