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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 9

These anodes are readily available and used in pipelines, water heaters, boat hulls, or really any important metal devices used in water. You can take advantage of this chemistry trick for use with tools, bikes, or any metal you want to keep from rusting. Learn more about the Chemistry below! (3/3)

Sacrificial Anode

Sacrificial Anodes are highly active metals that are used to prevent a less active material surface from corroding. Sacrificial Anodes are created from a metal alloy with a more negative …

chem.libretexts.org

Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 9

These anodes are made from metals like zinc, magnesium, or aluminum that oxidize more readily than iron or steel. When attached to a structure, they give up electrons, keeping the protected metal in a reduced (non-corroded) state while they slowly corrode instead. (2/3)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 9

Have you ever left tools out and they rusted? Chemistry has a solution. Sacrificial anodes are metals used to protect other metals from corrosion and are used in many applications. They corrode instead of the metal they're protecting, extending the life of the metal they are attached to. (1/3)

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Analytical_Chemistry)/Electrochemistry/Exemplars/Corrosion/Sacrificial_Anode

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 7

Hydrothermal Systems - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

With half of the earth's geothermal features, Yellowstone holds the planet's most diverse and intact collection of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles.

www.nps.gov

Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 7

The vibrant colors associated with hydrothermal parks are linked to the presence of cyanobacteria and other organisms that form microbial mats. These organisms thrive in the warm, mineral rich water of hot springs. The water may appear bright blue due to a high concentration of silica. (4/5)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 7

When this water moves to the surface, it can form precipitates, such as siliceous sinter (geyserite). If the energy released during the water to steam transition exceeds the confining force of the subsurface, an explosion will occur (eg. a geyser). (3/5)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 7

The waters of these regions are a mix of meteoric water (rain and snow) as well as hydrothermal fluids and gases The composition is affected by fluid-rock interactions, phase-separation, mineral precipitation, and microbial activity. (2/5)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 7

Did you know there are 19 national parks where you can see geothermal processes in action?

These regions are chemically and biologically complex. They form when water flows underground, is heated by magma or hot rock, and rises to the surface. (1/5)

www.nps.gov/subjects/geo...

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 6

Image Source: www.ysi.com/parameters/o...

ORP Oxidation Reduction Potential or Redox Measurement in Water Explained

Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is a measurement that determines water’s oxidizing or reducing potential, quantifying a solution’s electron transfer capacity. ORP is valuable for assessing the pre...

www.ysi.com

Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 6

Much like other parameters like temperature, pH and turbidity, ORP is an important parameter used in water quality analysis to determine the health of a water system. (4/4)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 6

Larger values are typically seen as favorable, as they indicate a well-aerated system, whereas lower values can be problematic, possibly indicating pollution or eutrophication within the waters being measured. (3/4)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 6

ORP is typically measured in millivolts (mV) using a specialized probe. A negative ORP shows that there are more electrons available to be transferred, showing a higher potential for oxidation. Conversely, a positive ORP shows a higher potential for reduction. (2/4)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · May 6

Oxidation-Reduction Potential, or ORP, is a water quality parameter that is often measured in surface waters. ORP is used to determine the ability for oxidation or reduction reactions to occur depending on the presence of various dissolved species within a system. (1/4)

Image Source: https://www.ysi.com/parameters/orp-redox?srsltid=AfmBOopGyaP8YuaG0x-mYGWELFZU7BYpIAKuvzMlzkOTEfnQwK8fLCTi

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 30

Result: 35% increase in degradation kinetics for pollutants like BPS vs. traditional methods. Optimal at pH 7, deviation reduces efficacy. EPR confirms ROS dynamics. Applicable to surface/groundwater remediation.

Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 30

Synergistic Oxidation-Coagulation Mechanism: Fe²⁺-oxalate activated by MNB-enhanced O₂ generates radicals (·OH/O₂⁻) for oxidative degradation (78%). Concurrently, Fe³⁺ hydrolysis forms hydroxide complexes, enabling coagulation (22%).

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 30

Can micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) enhance contaminant degradation efficiency? MNBs augment oxidative processes via elevated dissolved oxygen (DO), generating hydroxyl (·OH) and superoxide (O2• −) radicals, and facilitating ferric hydroxide floc formation.

Li, P., Huang, X., Yang, Q., Xia, H., Li, C., Zhang, Z., Wang, X., & Lu, J. (2025). Micro-nano bubbles enhanced degradation of emerging contaminants by ferrous-oxalate complexes: Synergistic interaction between oxidation and coagulation. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 19(5), 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-025-1986-7

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 29

Reference: www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16...

www.mdpi.com

Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 29

Carbon’s Role: Fueling Microbial Cleanup Crews

Roots secrete glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), heterotrophs need C:N ≥5 for ΔG < -50 kJ/mol.

Low carbon → Denitrifying microbes can’t efficiently convert NO₂⁻ → N₂ , NO₂⁻ accumulates. >90% N removal in summer and 55% in winter!

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 29

pH Balance & Metal Trapping in Wetlands:

Low pH dissolves metals (e.g., Pb) into H₂O! Wetland plants buffer pH via ROL, stabilizing metals as solids.
Pb²⁺ + 2OH⁻ → Pb(OH)₂ ↓

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 29

How do wetlands remove nitrogen from water?

Redox reactions! Plants like Phragmites leak oxygen (Radial Oxygen Loss) from roots, creating redox zones. Aerobic (O₂-rich) areas oxidize NH₄⁺ to NO₃⁻, while anaerobic zones reduce NO₃⁻ to harmless N₂ gas. Some wetland plants release up to 5g O₂/m²/day!

Sun, H., Zhou, Y., Jiagn, C. 2024. Regulating Denitrification in Constructed Wetlands: The Synergistic Role of Radial Oxygen Loss and Root Exudates. Water, 16 (24), 3706. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243706

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 27

Hard water is not inherently bad; it can reduce pipe corrosion, be an important source of dietary minerals, and even have better taste. But overly hard water can cause too much limescale buildup, and reduce the water pressure and useful life of hot water heaters and other plumbing features. (5/5)

Corrosivity - MSU Extension Water Quality | Montana State University

An informational resource page on corrosivity of drinking water.

waterquality.montana.edu

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 27

Water hardness is related to the concentration of not only dissolved calcium, but also magnesium and other trace amounts of metals, and therefore also describes the potential for limescale to develop. (4/5)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 27

CaCO3 acts as a base in water, where the CO32- anion reacts with free H+ cations, reducing their concentration. The presence of limescale on plumbing fixtures thus works doubly to raise pH and reduce corrosivity by creating a barrier on the metal surface. (3/5)

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 27

A lower Langelier Index value indicates the water is undersaturated with CaCO3 and has higher corrosion potential. A higher index value indicates oversaturation, and CaCO3 can precipitate on plumbing through what is called lime scaling, a chalk-like substance often found on faucets (2/5).

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Water Chem @ UMass Amherst @waterchem.bsky.social · Apr 27

As pH and alkalinity measure acidity and hardness, another metric exists for corrosivity. In the 1930s Dr. Wilfred Langelier developed the Langelier Saturation Index to measure calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation, describing water’s potential for mobilizing toxic metals in pipes and fixtures.(🧵1/5)

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