What is pH?
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while values below 7 are acidic and values above 7 are basic. pH stands for ‘power of hydrogen’.
Why is pH important?
pH plays a crucial role in various aspects of our daily lives, from maintaining the balance of chemicals in our bodies to determining the quality of soil and water.
Examples of pH levels:
- Lemon juice: pH 2
- Bleach: pH 12
- Human blood: pH 7.4
Case study: How pH affects aquatic life
In a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, it was found that changes in pH levels of water bodies can have a significant impact on aquatic life. For example, acid rain can lower the pH of lakes and streams, leading to the death of fish and other organisms.
Statistics on pH levels
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring revealed that the pH levels of oceans have been decreasing due to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, posing a threat to marine ecosystems.
