POOL CHEMICAL
GLOSSARY
ALGAE:
Tiny plants which grow in the water and can discolor it.
ALGAECIDES:
Chemicals which kill algae and prevent new algae growth.
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 odors. 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.
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 And outdated indicator solution that was used to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 penny in $10,000.
PHENOL RED:
The indicator solution which measures pH.
SHOCK TREATMENT:
(See super-chlorination)
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. |
