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How to Calculate Alkalinity As CaCO3
2010-02-22 http://www.ehow.com/how_5328969_calculate-alkalinity-caco.html
2010-10-18
2010-10-25 By an eHow Contributor
2010-11-01
Alkalinity is a water characteristic that quantifies the capacity of water to neutralize acids, namely, accepts hydrogen
2010-11-08
ions H+. Alkalinity of natural water is mainly due to the presence of two forms of the carbonate ions denoted as
2010-11-15
HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) that act as a buffer system. Alkalinity prevents sudden changes in the acidity level of water
2010-11-22
and, hence, is important for fish and other aquatic life. It is measured in mg/L of CaCO3. Naturally occurred
2010-11-29 alkalinity is in the range from 400 to 500 mg/L. As an example, calculate alkalinity if 1 L of water contains 035 g of
2010-12-06 HCO3(-) and 0.12 g of CO3(2-) carbonate ions.
2011-01-18
2011-01-25 Instructions
2011-02-01
2011-02-16
2011-05-25
Things You'll Need:
2011-10-19 Calculator
2011-10-26 Periodic table of the chemical elements
2011-11-02
2012-01-11 1. 1
2012-01-18
Calculate the molar mass of HCO3(-),CO3(2-) and CaCO3 as the sum of mass of all atoms in the molecule.
2012-01-25 Atomic weights of corresponding elements are given in the periodic table of the chemical elements (see
2012-02-15 Resources).
2012-03-14 Molar mass (HCO3(-)) = M(H) + M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 12 + 3 x 16 = 61 g/mole.

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 2012-04-18 Molar mass (CO3(2-)) = M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 12+ 3 x 16 = 60 g/mole.
Uploaded Files Molar mass (CaCO3) = M(Ca) + M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 40 + 12 + 3 x 16 = 100 g/mole.
Clinic Records,
Certification 2. 2
Design Files
Divide the molar mass by the ion charge or oxidation number (for CaCO3) to determine equivalent (Eq.)
Education
weights.
EWB-USA Forms
Eq. weight (HCO3(-)) = 61 / 1 (charge) = 61 g/Eq.
Fundraising Eq. weight (CO3(2-)) = 60 / 2 (charge) = 30 g/Eq.
MOU Eq. weight (CaCO3) = 100 / 2 (oxidation state) = 50 g/Eq.
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Pumping Datasheets 3. 3
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Divide masses of HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) by their equivalent (Eq.) weights to calculate a number of
Water
equivalents. In our example,
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Number of Eq. (HCO3(-)) = 0.35g / 61 g/Eq = 0.0057 Eq.
Number of Eq. (CO3(2-)) = 0.12g / 30 g/Eq = 0.004 Eq.
Equivalents are needed to reflect the following fact. Each ion HCO3(-) reacts with one hydrogen proton H+,
but each CO3(-2) ion can accept two protons or two equivalents.

4. 4
Add up equivalents of HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) to calculate the alkalinity expressed in equivalents of CaCO3. In
our example,
Number of Eq. (CaCO3) = 0.0057 Eq + 0.004 Eq = 0.0097 Eq/L. Multiply it by 1,000 to get it in
milliequivalents: 0.0097 Eq/L x 1,000 = 9.7 mEq/L.
5. 5

Multiply alkalinity in "Eq/L" by the equivalent weight of CaCO3 to calculate it in g/L. In our example,
Alkalinity as CaCO3 = 0.0097 Eq/L x 50 g/Eq = 0.485 g/L = 485 mg/L.

http://www.gewater.com/handbook/control_water_analyses/ch_40_expression.jsp#EQUIVALENTS%20PER%20MILLION%20%28

MILLIGRAMS PER LITER (mg/L)

The milligrams per liter (mg/L) convention is closely related to parts per million (ppm). This relationship is given by:

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 ppm x solution density = mg/L

Thus, if the solution density is close or equal to 1, then ppm = mg/L. This is normally the case in dilute, aqueous solutions of the
type typically found in industrial water systems. Control testing is usually conducted without measurement of a solution's
density. For common water samples, this poses no great inaccuracy, because the density of the sample is approximately 1.
Milligrams per liter (mg/L) and parts per million (ppm) begin to diverge as the solution density varies from 1. Examples of this
are a dense sludge from a clarifier underflow (density greater than 1) or closed cooling system water with high concentrations of
organic compounds (density less than 1). All of the analytical methods discussed in this text contain calculations required to
obtain the results in milligrams or micrograms per liter.

EQUIVALENTS PER MILLION (EPM)

In reporting water analyses on an ion basis, results are also expressed in equivalents per million (epm). Closely allied to the use
of parts per million, this approach reduces all constituents to a common denominator-the chemical equivalent weight.

The use of equivalents per million is not recommended for normal plant control. Parts per million is a simpler form of expressing
results and is accepted as the common standard basis of reporting a water analysis. However, whenever extensive calculations
must be performed, the use of equivalents per million greatly simplifies the mathematics, because all constituents are on a
chemical equivalent weight basis. The remainder of this section provides a discussion of parts per million and equivalents per
million for those who desire a working knowledge of these methods of expression for purposes of calculations.

The units of ppm and epm are commonly combined in normal reporting of water analyses, and many different constituents are
frequently reported on a common unit weight basis. For example, calcium (equivalent weight 20.0) is reported in terms of
"calcium as CaCO3" (equivalent weight 50.0). The test for calcium is calibrated in terms of CaCO3, so the conversion factor 2.5
(50/20) is not needed. Hardness, magnesium, alkalinity, and free mineral acid are often reported in terms of CaCO3; the value
reported is the weight of CaCO3 that is chemically equivalent to the amount of material present. Among these substances, ionic
balances may be calculated. When constituents are of the same unit weight basis, they can be added or subtracted
directly. For example, ppm total hardness as CaCO3 minus ppm calcium as CaCO3 equals ppm magnesium as CaCO3.
However, ppm magnesium as Mg2+ equals 12.2 (magnesium equivalent weight) divided by 50.0 (CaCO3 equivalent weight)
times the ppm magnesium as CaCO3.

In every case, it is necessary to define the unit weight basis of the results-"ppm alkalinity as CaCO3" or "ppm sulfate as SO42- "
or "ppm silica as SiO2". Where the unit weight basis is different, calculations must be based on the use of chemical equations.

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 The following rules outline where epm can be used and where ppm must be used. In general, either may be used where an
exact chemical formula is known. When such knowledge is lacking, ppm must be used.

The concentration of all dissolved salts of the individually determined ions must be in ppm.
Two or more ions of similar properties whose joint effect is measured by a single determination (e.g., total hardness,
acidity, or alkalinity) may be reported in either ppm or epm.
The concentration of undissolved or suspended solids should be reported in ppm only.
The concentration of organic matter should be reported in ppm only.
The concentration of dissolved solids (by evaporation) should be expressed as ppm only.
Total dissolved solids by calculation may be expressed in either ppm or epm.
Concentration of individual gases dissolved in water should be reported in ppm. The total concentration of each gas
when combined in water may be calculated to its respective ionic concentration in either ppm or epm.

CALCULATION OF TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS BY EPM

Starting with a reasonably complete water analysis, total dissolved solids may be calculated as epm. In a complete water
analysis, the negative ion epm should equal the positive ion epm. Where there is an excess of negative ion epm, the remaining
positive ion epm is likely to be sodium or potassium (or both). For the sake of convenience, it is generally assumed to be
sodium. Where there is an excess of positive epm, the remaining negative epm usually is assumed to be nitrate.

To calculate dissolved solids, convert the various constituents from ppm to epm and total the various cations (positively charged
ions) and anions (negative ions). The cations should equal the anions. If not, add either sodium (plus) or nitrate (minus) ions to
balance the columns. Convert each component ionic epm to ppm and total to obtain ppm dissolved solids. For example, to
convert 150 ppm calcium as CaCO3 to epm (Table 40-1) divide by 50 (the equivalent weight of calcium carbonate) and obtain
3.0 epm. To convert 96 ppm sulfate as SO42- to epm, divide by 48 (the equivalent weight of sulfate) and obtain 2.0 epm. After
balancing the cations and anions by adding sodium, convert to ionic ppm by multiplying the epm by the particular ionic
equivalent of weight. For example, to convert 3.0 epm calcium to ppm calcium as Ca2+, multiply by 20 (the equivalent weight of
calcium) and obtain 60 ppm calcium as Ca2+. To obtain the ppm dissolved solids, total the ppm of the individual ions.

Conversion Table

http://www.gewater.com/handbook/control_water_analyses/fig40-2.jsp

ions – chemical formula - # of equivalents – equivalent weight

http://www.wioa.org.au/conference_papers/00/paper7.htm

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 Positively charged ions are called "cations" (e.g. calcium ion or Ca++) and negatively charged ions, "anions" (e.g. bicarbonate
or HCO3-). When we sum the concentration of cations expressed as mg/L CaCO3, the total should be the same as the sum of
the anions, thus giving a balanced water analysis. Table 2 is a list of chemicals commonly used in water treatment processes,
giving their chemical formula, formula weight and factor to convert to equivalent weight as CaCO3.

Table 1: Chemical Formula, Formula Weight and Factors to Convert Concentration from "AS IS" to "CaCO3" for
Common Cations and Anions

Table 1: Chemical Formula, Formula Weight and Factors to Convert Concentration from "AS IS" to "CaCO3" for Common
Cations and Anions

Table 2: Chemical Formula, Formula Weights and Factors to Convert Concentration from "AS IS" to "CaCO3" for
Common Chemicals Used in Water Treatment

http://www.wioa.org.au/conference_papers/2000/images/7_2.gif

Table 3: Water Analysis Waranga Channel at Rochester

Table 3: Water Analysis Waranga Channel at Rochester
As an example of how to apply these ideas, let's look at a typical water supply: the Waranga Channel at Rochester,
Victoria (Table 3).

From this analysis we can conclude:

The sum of the cations and the sum of the anions are not the same: 87.0 v 82.7 mg/L as CaCO3. However, in
practice we generally label a water analysis balanced if the (sum of cations / sum of anions) is within + or -
5%. In this case it is + 5%, so it is acceptable.
Alkalinity of the water is 15.0 mg/L, which is relatively low, suggesting this water will require supplemental
alkali addition for effective treatment when using alum.
Total hardness of the water ([Ca]+[Mg]) is equal to 36.2 mg/L as CaCO3; a soft water.
The total dissolved solids (TDS) level is approximately 125 mg/L ''as is" derived from the conductivity (EC) of
the water.

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