Water composition: quality control and acceptable standards

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Water is the most common inorganic compound on Earth, which is the basis of atmospheric phenomena, chemical reactions, and physiological processes. Her role is difficult to overestimate, because the existence of life and the nature around us would be impossible without her participation.

Water and its role in nature

The water cycle in nature ensures the creation of normal conditions for the life of all living organisms and plants. In the process of photosynthesis, with the participation of water and light, organic substances necessary for plants are formed. They provide food for insects and herbivores, which in turn are food for predators. The entire digestive chain relies on water intake.

At the climatic level, the role of water is to regulate temperature and humidity in the layers of the atmosphere. The amount of evaporated moisture falls in the form of precipitation. Air masses move and carry in the form of clouds moisture evaporated from the surface of the oceans to the continents. Large currents carry warm or cold air, creating such a variety of flora and fauna in climaticbelts.

For some living organisms, water is a habitat. And even the birth and development of a human embryo occurs in the aquatic environment.

Structure and properties of water

A hydrogen oxide molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. In nature, it can occur in three states of aggregation: liquid, solid and gaseous. The aggregate state depends on external conditions: temperature and pressure. The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius, and the boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 1 atm. If the pressure is lower, then the water will boil at lower temperatures.

Hydrogen oxide is a dipole, so water has a high level of thermal conductivity and heat capacity. It heats up quickly and cools down quickly. And the property of surface tension allows a liquid to take a shape in accordance with the degree of wettability of the substance in contact with it. It is the property of surface tension that allows some species of insects to glide on the surface of the water.

What is in water? Hydrogen oxide is colorless and odorless, but water does not occur in its pure form; it contains a long list of organic compounds and chemical elements. Due to the polarity of its molecules, water acts as a universal solvent. The dissolution rate may be higher with increasing temperature. As the pressure increases, the water solution is able to absorb more gas.

The role of water in the human body

The human body consists of 70-80% water. All tissues are saturated with moisture, except for the tissues that make up hair, nails, bones. Water in the human body plays the role of a solvent and transport for the delivery of nutrients to tissue cells and the removal of decay products. Without the participation of life-giving moisture, not a single metabolic process occurs.

If a person is sick, doctors recommend drinking more. When a large amount of fluid is received, toxins and elements of pathogenic microflora are removed from the body faster, this contributes to a faster recovery. The daily intake of clean water recommended by nutritionists should be at least 1.5-2 liters. With a decrease in its level in the body, unconditioned reflexes are triggered, which we feel in the form of thirst. Without constant replenishment of the body with fluid, death occurs. A person cannot live more than 5-6 days without water. Its intake in its pure form is necessary for the body, and with a lack of moisture, the skin becomes dry, hair brittle. If a person consumes poor-quality water for a long time, then he alth problems may arise. This will affect not only the appearance, but can also cause serious diseases.

Differences in the temperature of the external environment helps the body to survive the function of thermoregulation, in which water also participates. When the ambient temperature rises, sweating begins, an unconditioned heat transfer reflex that allows the body to stabilize body temperature.

Clean water to drink

Water that meets legal requirementsquality standards, is considered drinking. The chemical composition of water must comply with the norms established by state quality standards. For daily use, only a pure product is suitable. Water should not contain suspended particles of foreign elements, as well as organisms of pathogenic microflora, which can be causative agents of life-threatening diseases. In our country, the level of water quality is monitored by TO TU "Rospotrebnadzor".

The source of clean water can be a well or a well. Water from the tap of a city apartment, as a rule, is not suitable for drinking. To clean it of impurities, you need to use a filter. When researching a new source, it is necessary to check the chemical composition of water without fail. Never drink from an unfamiliar well, this can have serious consequences.

Bottled water

Due to the poor quality of tap water, people began to use the bottled version for drinking and cooking. If you look at it, this is drinking water, which should not contain foreign elements, including sweeteners, flavors and dyes. If the content of these substances exceeds 1%, then such a drink acquires the status of a soft drink.

There are two types of bottled water: mineral and drinking. Mineral water is taken from an officially registered well and contains useful s alts and elements. This water is ready to drink and does not require additional purification. Drink mineral water in largequantities are not recommended. Water that is created artificially by adding s alts and other elements is not considered mineral water.

Buy drinking and mineral water only from trusted manufacturers whose product quality meets state standards. An unknown brand, combined with a low price, should alert the buyer, it is better not to use such water.

Water hardness

This indicator is determined by the amount of s alts contained in the water. Impurities can be in dissolved, and sometimes in suspended form. The very concept of "water hardness" was formed due to the rigidity of the fabric, which was washed in soapy water with a high content of fatty acids.

If the solution contains a large amount of various s alts, such water can be called hard. It is this water that leaves scale in the kettle and on the heating element of the washing machine. Hard water does not foam well and when washed, it dries and tightens the skin. Hair washed in such water is badly combed and becomes "naughty". Long-term use of hard water can provoke the formation of kidney stones.

Too soft water is also bad. The constant use of such water can cause hypertension, stomach or duodenal ulcers, caries and gastritis. But for domestic purposes, soft water is very convenient, except for its ability to more intensively oxidize metal elements. Permissible water hardness - 2-10 mg-eq / l. This indicator is the average value of rigidity. To check which categorythe liquid from your faucet is relevant, you can experiment with soap and pay attention to the presence of scale in the kettle.

Distilled water

This water contains a negligible amount of any impurities, which lowers its electrical conductivity. In the wild, such a liquid cannot be found, but it is obtained by using distillers. The change in the composition of water occurs in several stages: water is boiled, steam is released - this condensate is collected in a separate container. If necessary, the procedure is repeated. The result is a liquid with a minimal amount of foreign matter.

Applications:

• medicine;
• industry;
• Cosmetology;
• biochemistry.

Distilled water is poured into car batteries, playing the role of an electrolyte, and is also used in the cooling system. In the field of medicine, such water is used to create solutions for drugs. This type of liquid is not eaten; s alts and minerals must be present in drinking water.

Holy water

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany on January 19th. It is believed that on this day all the water is endowed with healing properties. There is a tradition according to which in Baptism you need to plunge into the Jordan, where you can wash away all sins and cleanse yourself with holy water. Water is sanctified by prayers and, according to the clergy, has healing properties.

Scientific research aimed at studying the propertiesholy water, are held to this day. There is an assumption that on January 19 there is a change in the processes associated with the Earth's magnetic field, and for this reason all water is charged. The structure of holy water, unlike ordinary water, has groups of molecules assembled into one group - a cluster. This is what makes sacred water so useful, according to traditional healers. In fact, the extent to which holy water affects the body is not fully understood, and science cannot explain why some people are miraculously healed from interacting with holy water.

In the Orthodox Church, holy water is used in the rituals of baptism, church lighting and vessels. Believers use holy water for medicinal purposes. If the water becomes cloudy, it can only be poured into a place where people or animals do not go, and the vessel in which the holy water was located can no longer be used for domestic purposes.

Water memory

The structural elements of water clusters can remember and transmit information. According to the scientist SV Zenin, water can "remember" the structure of the substance dissolved in it. Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto conducted a series of studies. He collected water samples from different parts of the world and alternately acted on them. Water samples, over which prayers were read and songs were sung, built their structure in a certain way, carrying positive information.

This phenomenon has no scientific justification, and opponents of these hypotheses explain the fact of the emergence of the structure of water by the fact that sound vibrations from the external environment can affect the arrangement of molecules relative to each otherfriend. And the long-term storage of holy water is explained by the absence of living organisms in the icy baptismal water.

Impurity analysis

The emergence of the need to perform a chemical analysis of the composition of water arises when exploring a new source. If a new well was drilled or a well was dug, it is imperative to check its safety before drinking water. It is enough to take a water sample and take it to the SES, this service is engaged in laboratory research.

When determining the composition of water, studies are carried out for the presence of organic and chemical components. The level of acidity, the presence of s alts is detected, the hardness is determined, as well as the level of concentration of heavy metals. If the well is located at a level of 10-15 meters, then it is necessary to do an extended analysis that will reveal an even more detailed composition of the water. The close location of the well to the surface of the earth increases the likelihood of surface and runoff substances entering the water, as well as microorganisms that can cause intestinal infections.

The installation of treatment facilities and the choice of their type should be based on the results of a chemical analysis of water. After installing filters to check the level of purification, it is necessary to re-analyze.

Water treatment

The water we use for cooking and other daily needs is carefully treated before entering the public pipeline. At the treatment plant, the liquid must passseveral stages of purification, and at the time of entering the water supply, the quality of the water must comply with regulatory standards. But this does not mean that it is suitable for drinking and cooking. The thing is that during the period of active construction of the 20th century, the pipeline was made of steel, and over time, corrosion processes began to occur on the pipes. Water passing through rusty pipes is saturated with corrosive elements, and becomes unsuitable for consumption in this form. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the composition of water and equip the apartment version of treatment devices in the form of filters.

Some properties of undrinkable water can be determined with the naked eye. Pour the liquid into a glass and visually inspect it. If the tap water has an opaque appearance and visible impurities, then it should not be eaten even after the filter. It is necessary to take a sample for chemical examination and understand the reason for such contamination.

Conclusion

Water is an indispensable necessity for life, so you need to monitor its quality. If you want to be he althy, drink clean and he althy water.