How to Describe the Physical Properties of Alkalinity in Water

Too much alkalinity in water can be just as harmful as too little alkalinity in the same body of water. It does not matter if you are swimming in the water, drinking it or if it is used in an aquarium, testing alkalinity is necessary to sustain life. Alkali are responsible for neutralizing acids that can be found in water, as well as certain natural minerals and metals that are also in water. Though you can't tell if water is acidic or alkaline by looking at it, you can investigate the conditions of the water or test it to determine its alkalinity.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify any plant growth or algae that you see in the water. When a body of water is highly alkaline, the alkalinity inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, which causes algae and other plant growth.

• 2

  Purchase test strips from your local hardware store to determine the physical properties of alkaline water. Take a sample of the water and place a pH strip in it. The closer to a darker purple the water or strip turns, depending on which test you have purchased, the higher the water's level of alkalinity. Chemical compounds in the water are activated with the test strips, which show the degree of acidity or alkalinity.

• 3

  Describe the smell of the water. Water that is highly acidic will most likely have certain smells. For example, fish aquariums, in which fish may have released a lot of waste, include ammonia (which you may smell), causing an increase in acid levels. Since alkali neutralize chemicals in the water, your test sample can be described as distinctly odorless.