Question

How does the presence of acids/alkalies affect the process of self purification of water in rivers?

Answer 1

• Water bodies have the ability to clean the water present in them by themselves without any external help or human intervention.
• They do this with the help of microorganisms present in the water.
• These microorganisms aid in the decay of dead organic matter and this helps the water body to get rid of the organic matter thus facilitating the process of purification of water.
• These microorganisms are able to survive in a narrow range of pH.
• Therefore, if the pH of the water bodies is disturbed by the presence of the acids/alkalies, the pH of the water body is disturbed and the microorganisms will not be able to survive hence the process of self-purification is disrupted.