You may have been reading along and wondering why we keep using the word basic when it comes to describing an alkaline solution.
This is because there is a difference between a basic and an alkaline solution or substance and the word alkaline is quite often used incorrectly in place of the word basic.
All alkaline solutions or substances are basic, but not all basic substances are alkaline.
Alkalinity of a solution, water for instance, is a measure of the alkaline substances dissolved in the water/the concentration of negative OH- ions and other negative ions, and therefore a measure of the water’s ability to neutralize acid.
A solution is basic depending on the measure of the hydrogen ions in solution.
As described in our page on pH of Water Explained the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions, H+, in the water, the higher the acidity. If there is a low concentration of hydrogen ions, H+, in solution, then the solution is said to be basic.
To summarize succinctly, the relative concentration of hydrogen ions, H+, determine whether a solution is acidic or basic.
The higher the H+ concentration the more acidic and the lower the more basic.
Alkalinity is a measure of a solution’s ability to neutralize acidity.
How to Measure Alkalinity
Although acidity vs alkalinity can be measured on the pH scale, the scientific method of its determination is done by physically measuring how many mL or how much volume of acid is required to bring a sample down to a pH of 4.2, at which point the solution would be fully acidic.
This is primarily a method used to be precise in the scientific monitoring & assessment of our rivers, lakes and streams to test how much acidic pollution & contaminants the body of water can bear without causing catastrophic damage to the wildlife, plants, and human populations relying on the water.
More information on an exact process of measuring alkalinity of river and stream water can be found here on the EPA website.
EPA – GOV – Measuring Alkalinity
Alkalinity is the measure of a solution’s ability to neutralize acidity based on the concentration of H+, hydroxide in a solution.
In this way, the H+ ion is acting as a free radical in the solution which will oxidize other molecules it comes into contact with, taking on a negative electron to become a neutral molecule in the process.
This is the Oxidation-Reduction process, redox, also referred to as ORP.
There are methods by which to measure the ORP of water and other solutions which will indirectly paint a picture of the degree by which the fluid is able to neutralize the acid and thereby indirectly describe its level of alkalinity.
Learn more about this on our page What is ORP & Redox Potential?
If water or a solution is measured to have a pH greater than 7 (neutral pH), and to have a negative value of ORP in (mV), we can be certain that it is alkaline and has the capacity to neutralize the acidic substances and cells it comes into contact with.
From a scientific standpoint this is important to note, because remember, not all basic substances are alkaline, but all alkaline substances are basic.
From a “is my drinking water alkaline standpoint” we should be safe to measure the alkalinity straight from the pH level of the water but ensure you inform yourself of the importance of ORP levels in conjunction with alkalinity, What is ORP & Redox Potential?
Contributing Factors to Acidity
- Hydrons (H+ ions)
- Lack of OH- ions & carbonates in the solution to neutralize the excess of H+ ions
- Contact with the air
- CO2 reacts with the H2O to product carbonic acid, typically creating mildly acidic water, this is the same as what causes acid rain (and the concern with excess CO2 in our atmosphere, this excess increases the acidity of the rain water)
- Industrial wastewater run offs of heavy metals
Contributing Factors to Alkalinity
Electric Water Ionizer Method
Dissociated Hydroxide Ions
- Hydroxide, (OH- ions)
Natural Water Ionizer Method
Addition of Essential Minerals
- Hydroxide, (OH- ions)
- Carbonates
- Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3
- Magnesium Carbonate, MgCO3
- Potassium Carbonate, K2CO3
- Zinc Carbonate, ZnCO3
When it comes to water conditioning, that is filtration for drinking purposes, there are a few primary methods.
Two of these methods are intended to create alkaline water and these are noted in the table above, they are electric water ionizers and natural water ionizers.
To get into the details of the differences between the different methods of making alkaline water check out our How to Make Alkaline Water, or specifically our page on Electric ionizers, vs Natural Ionizers (coming soon) to make alkaline water.
Alkaline Water in Nature
In nature the most alkaline water is found to be what is more commonly known as hard water, or water full of minerals.
The minerals listed in the table above, the 4 carbonates are picked up by the water flowing in nature from the soil and bedrock. Most commonly found is calcium carbonate which is even more pronounced in areas with limestone bedrock.
These minerals are essential to a healthy body, in fact many people don’t realize that the majority of the minerals their body needs are coming from the water they drink and not just the foods that they eat.
Described in our How to Make Alkaline Water page is the 2 processes which are used to ionize the water to be alkaline.
The electric process of water ionization does not use or add any of the essential minerals which are used in natural ionization and actually depletes any of these minerals that do exist in the water to a certain extent.
Many people don’t realize that quite often alkaline water can be found all around them, especially in areas with glacial mountain runoff water or in well water in many areas. One could simply fill up a couple of jugs of water to take home with them to get their alkaline water dose.
Just a word of caution of course around checking that there are no contaminants in the water such as beaver fever or otherwise.
Although most water found in nature is alkaline, mostly it does not have a negative ORP value.
Read more on the importance of negative ORP on our page, What is ORP & Redox Potential?.
If you’re looking for the next best thing to real mountain glacial runoff or deep well alkaline water without any of the concerns around contaminants we recommend you check out a natural water alkalizer that you can use at home.
With an at home natural water alkalizer you can take contaminant free tap water and condition it to have both an alkalinity and mineral rich content comparable to the alkaline water found in nature.
You can check out our review on our top pick of natural water ionizers including one which adds negative ORP here (coming soon).