Definitioner
Total Hardness
the sum of all hardness constituents in a water, expressed as their equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate. Primarily due to the calcium and magnesium in solution, but may include small amounts of metals such as iron which can act like calcium and magnesium in certain reactions.
Total Alkalinity
the alkalinity of a water as determined by titration with standard with standard acid solution to the methyl orange endpoint(ph approx. 4.5); sometimes abbreviated as "M alkalinity" Total alkalinity includes many components, such as hydroxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates.
Magnesium
one of the elements making up the earths crust, the compounds of which when dis-solved in water make the water hard. The presence of magnesium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale and insoluble soap curds.
Hardness
a characteristic of natural water due to the presence of dissolved calcium and magnesium; water hardness is responsible for most scale formation in pipes and water heaters, and forms insoluble" curd" when it reacts with soaps. Hardness is usually expressed in grains per gallon, parts per million, or milligrams per liter, all as calcium carbonate equivalent.
Calcium
one of the principal elements making up the earths crust, the compounds of which make the water hard. The presence of calcium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale and insoluble soap curds which are a means of clearly identifying hard water.
Alkalinity
The quantitative capacity of a water or water solution to neutralize an acid. It is usually measured by titration with a standard acid solution of sulfuric acid, and expressed in terms of its calcium carbonate equivalent.
