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Understanding pH - How Water Acidity Affects Fish....
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By:
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admin
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Mood:
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- Science Articles
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Date:
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Oct 09, 2009
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None
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Water chemistry plays an important role in the health of fish, the locations where fish are found and the likelihood that a body of water will produce a true lunker. One of the most important aspects of water chemistry is pH. In scientific terms pH can be defined as: the negative log molar concentration of hydronium ions in the water. In simple language pH is the measure of the acidity or basicity in the water.
pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered to be neutral. pH totals of less than 7 are acidic while totals of over 7 are considered basic.
Most fish are able to tolerate a wide range of pH values in the waters where they live. This is because they have the ability to regulate their internal levels of pH. This is accomplished by constantly adjusting the ratio of bases and acids within their systems. Fish make these adjustments by expelling excess acids in their urine and also by controlling their breathing.
The faster a fish breathes the faster carbon dioxide leaves the blood, thus raising the level of pH in the blood. However, fish can eventually get tired out by this constant regulation of their system. If a fish lives for too long in an environment that is too acidic or too basic it will become unable to manage its own system chemistry. When this happens the fish will stop feeding and eventually die.
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