What does pH measure?

Study for the GWWI WEF Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals Test. Review key concepts with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare to ace your exam!

pH specifically measures the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. It provides a quantitative representation of how acidic or basic a substance is, based on the concentration of hydrogen ions present. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where lower values indicate higher acidity (more hydrogen ions), values around 7 indicate neutrality (equal concentrations of hydrogen and hydroxide ions), and higher values indicate basicity (fewer hydrogen ions).

Understanding pH is crucial in wastewater treatment as it affects various chemical processes and biological activities. For example, many microorganisms involved in biological treatment processes have specific pH ranges in which they thrive. If the pH level is too high or too low, it can hinder their efficiency or kill them, ultimately impacting the effectiveness of the treatment process.

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