What is the range of the pH scale?

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It ranges from 0 to 14 under normal conditions, where a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidic solutions, while values above 7 indicate basic or alkaline solutions. This range is fundamental to various chemical and biological processes, particularly in wastewater treatment, where maintaining the appropriate pH is crucial for effective treatment and compliance with environmental regulations.

Understanding this scale is important in the context of wastewater treatment because it helps operators monitor and adjust the pH of wastewater to optimize treatment processes, support microbial activity, and prevent corrosion or scaling in treatment systems.