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Declining water pH level

Q: A lime-treated water sample had a neutral pH. When preserved for few days, its pH declines. What is the probable reason?

A: My first guess is acid gas. The most probable culprit is CO2 from human activity, including breathing and boiler emissions. My second guess would be excessive SO2 in the region, but that's less likely than CO2 or other acid gas that may be in the plant or the lab. Lime water is often used to scrub CO2.


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