| Abstract |
| This study examines the quantitative relationship between electrical conductivity and alkalinity in natural freshwater systems and evaluates how this correlation is influenced by pH. The results indicate a positive, pH-dependent correlation between electrical conductivity and alkalinity, with R² values exceeding 0.6 in most datasets and increasing substantially at higher pH. This trend suggests that as electrical conductivity increases, the total concentration of dissolved ions―particularly carbonate species―also increases. When the data were divided into pH ranges, the correlation strengthened progressively with increasing pH. This enhancement can be attributed to shifts in the carbonate equilibrium system, in which higher pH promotes the formation of CO32-, a divalent anion that contributes more significantly to electrical conductivity. These findings confirm that both electrical conductivity and alkalinity are governed by the same carbonate equilibrium processes, and that their relationship becomes more linear and stable under alkaline conditions. Understanding this relationship enables improved prediction of chemical stability, more accurate assessment of buffering capacity, and more efficient design of water treatment and management strategies across varying pH conditions, ultimately supporting sustainable water resource monitoring and environmental protection. |
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| Key Words |
| Alkalinity, Carbonate system, Chemical Equilibrium, Electrical Conductivity, pH, 알칼리도, 탄산염 시스템, 화학 평형, 전기전도도 |
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