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Education How to calculate alkalinity as CaCO3
EWB-USA Forms
Tank Specs
Water
Meeting Agendas and How to Calculate Alkalinity As CaCO3
Minutes
2010-02-22 http://www.ehow.com/how_5328969_calculate-alkalinity-caco.html
2010-10-18
By an eHow Contributor
2010-10-25
2010-11-01 Alkalinity is a water characteristic that quantifies the capacity of water to neutralize acids, namely,
2010-11-08 accepts hydrogen ions H+. Alkalinity of natural water is mainly due to the presence of two forms
2010-11-15 of the carbonate ions denoted as HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) that act as a buffer system. Alkalinity
2010-11-22 prevents sudden changes in the acidity level of water and, hence, is important for fish and other
2010-11-29
aquatic life. It is measured in mg/L of CaCO3. Naturally occurred 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 HCO3(-)
2010-12-06
and 0.12 g of CO3(2-) carbonate ions.
2011-01-18
2011-01-25
2011-02-01
Instructions
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
2012-01-25 in the molecule. Atomic weights of corresponding elements are given in the periodic table
2012-02-15
 2012-03-14 of the chemical elements (see Resources).
2012-04-18 Molar mass (HCO3(-)) = M(H) + M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 12 + 3 x 16 = 61 g/mole.
Uploaded Files Molar mass (CO3(2-)) = M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 12+ 3 x 16 = 60 g/mole.
Clinic Records, Molar mass (CaCO3) = M(Ca) + M(C) + 3 x M(O) = 40 + 12 + 3 x 16 = 100 g/mole.
Certification
2. 2
Design Files
Education Divide the molar mass by the ion charge or oxidation number (for CaCO3) to determine
EWB-USA Forms equivalent (Eq.) weights.
Fundraising Eq. weight (HCO3(-)) = 61 / 1 (charge) = 61 g/Eq.
MOU Eq. weight (CO3(2-)) = 60 / 2 (charge) = 30 g/Eq.
Photos Eq. weight (CaCO3) = 100 / 2 (oxidation state) = 50 g/Eq.
Pumping Datasheets
3. 3
Travel
Water Divide masses of HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) by their equivalent (Eq.) weights to calculate a
Sitemap number of equivalents. In our example,
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:

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.

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

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 W aranga
Channel at Rochester, V ictoria (T able 3).
F rom this analysis we can conclude:
◾ T he 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.
◾ T otal hardness of the water ([ Ca] +[ Mg] ) is equal to 36.2 mg/L as CaCO3; a soft water.
◾ T he total dissolved solids (T DS ) level is approximately 125 mg/L ' ' as is" derived from the
conductivity (EC) of the water.

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