| Abstract |
| This study investigated the relationship between alkalinity and hardness using water quality monitoring data. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between these two parameters. By categorizing the data into lower and higher pH groups, alkalinity and hardness exhibited a stronger correlation under lower pH conditions. This pattern can be attributed to chemical speciation changes with increasing pH: as pH rises, becomes the dominant species in the aquatic environment and tends to react with, thereby promoting precipitation. Carbonate hardness plays a mediating role in this process: at lower pH, carbonate hardness generally increases and becomes more stable, leading to a clearer linear regression relationship between alkalinity and hardness. Conversely, at higher pH, carbonate hardness decreases and becomes unstable, resulting in a weaker correlation between the two indicators. These findings have significant implications for water treatment operations, as jointly managing alkalinity and hardness can improve process efficiency. For instance, understanding the pH-dependent dynamics between these parameters enables more accurate prediction of scaling tendencies in distribution systems and treatment facilities. Moreover, this relationship is valuable for optimizing chemical dosing strategies, minimizing operational costs, and preventing unintended precipitation events. Through further research, it is practically feasible to estimate alkalinity using only pH and hardness, facilitating its integration into routine water quality monitoring and treatment process optimization. |
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| Key Words |
| Alkalinity, Carbonate system, Chemical Equilibrium, Electrical Conductivity, pH, 알칼리도, 탄산염 시스템, 화학 평형, 전기전도도 |
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