Direct Pool Supplies
POOL CHEMICAL
GLOSSARY
ACID DEMAND:
A test result which indicates how much acid (pH
decreaser) if any, should be added to the water to provide a balanced
proportion of acid to alkaline materials.
ALGAE: Tiny
plants which grow in the water and can discolour it. Particularly active
in warm water. Algae may be green, brown or black.
ALGAECIDES:
Chemicals which kill algae and prevent new algae growth.
ALKALINITY:
A combination of natural minerals in the water. The opposite of acidity
on a measurement of pH.
BACTERIA:
Microscopic organisms (germs) which can cause illness.
CHELATING AGENTS:
Chemicals that combine with dissolved metals to prevent water
discoloration.
CHLORAMINES:
The combined form of chlorine after oxidation of impurities. Cause eye
irritation and four chlorine-like odours. This form of chlorine is not an
effective disinfectant.
CHLORINE: The
most commonly used disinfecting agent for swimming pools because it is
the best chemical material available.
CHLORINE DEMAND:
The materials in the water which use up chlorine, such as bacteria,
algae, dirt, leaves, grass clippings and swimmers wastes. The chlorine
demand must be satisfied before a chlorine residual is available to
disinfect the pool water.
CHLORINE RESIDUAL:
The chlorine level in the water after the chlorine demand has been
satisfied. The free chlorine residual is the true measure of potential
chlorine disinfection.
COMBINED CHLORINE:
Weak chlorine which is combined with the contaminants in the water.
CYANURIC ACID:
(See stabilizer. Also called conditioner)
DPD: An
indicator solution used to measure the free chlorine residual.
DRY ACID:
(Sodium bisulfate) A granular material which is used to lower the pH or
total alkalinity.
FREE CHLORINE:
Hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite. This is the active chlorine that
kills bacteria and algae and keeps your pool clear and clean.
HARDNESS: The
amount of calcium or magnesium dissolved in the water. High levels
contribute to scale deposits.
HYPOCHLOROUS ACID:
The active form of chlorine in water. The material which performs the
sanitizing and oxidizing. (free chlorine)
MURIATIC ACID:
A liquid used for lowering pH or total alkalinity.
OTO:
orthotolidine. And outdated indicator solution that was used to measure
the total chlorine residual.
pH: A system
for measuring the acidity/alkalinity of water. Readings above 7 are
alkaline; readings below 7 are acidic.
PPM: Parts per
million, the standard measure of concentration in swimming pools. An
example is one cent in $10,000.
PHENOL RED:
The indicator solution which measures pH.
SHOCK TREATMENT:
(See super-chlorination)
SODA ASH: An
additive which is used to raise the pH of the water. Also know as sodium
carbonate.
SODIUM BICARBONATE:
An additive which is used to increase the total alkalinity or pH or the
water.
STABILIZER: (Cyanuric
acid or conditioner) s-triazinetrione, also called Isocyanuric Acid. A
chemical which helps prolong the useful life of chlorine in the water by
slowing down chlorine decay due to sunlight.
SUPERCHLORINATION:
(Shock treatment) The practice of adding 5-10 times the normal daily
chlorine dose to destroy algae, or to prevent problems after heavy
bather loads or severe rains.
TOTAL ALKALINITY:
This helps the water resist changes in pH.
TOTAL CHLORINE:
The sum of the amount of free chlorine and combined chlorine. |
