The Basic Explanation: Comparing How Ammonia Affects the pH Level in Two Oklahoma Water Bodies.

Abstract

Changes in water quality in aquatic systems can be detrimental to resident organisms.  For example, changes in pH as a result of pollutants (e.g., acid rain) can result in substantial effects on community composition.  Here, we examine the buffering capacity of two local water bodies:  Dolese Main pond and Lake Hefner, OK.  We hypothesized that there would be no difference in the buffering capacities of the two water sources because they are from the same geographic area.  We added different amounts of a base (ammonia) and measured changes in pH as an indication of buffering capacity.  We found that as we added more ammonia to the water samples, the pH level increased, but to a lesser degree in water from Dolese Main.  Thus, Dolese Main may be able to better maintain a neutral pH following the addition of acidic or basic pollutants.