Jäämiöklori

Jäämiöklori, also known as residual chlorine, refers to the chlorine that remains in water after disinfection has taken place. This remaining chlorine is crucial for providing a secondary disinfection barrier, ensuring that any microorganisms that may enter the water after the primary treatment are inactivated. The presence of residual chlorine helps to protect against recontamination during storage and distribution.

There are two primary forms of residual chlorine: free chlorine and combined chlorine. Free chlorine, which includes hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-), is the more effective disinfectant. Combined chlorine is formed when free chlorine reacts with ammonia and organic nitrogen compounds present in the water, creating chloramines. While chloramines are less potent disinfectants than free chlorine, they are more stable and persistent, offering longer-lasting protection.

The concentration of residual chlorine is carefully monitored in drinking water systems. Too little residual chlorine may not provide adequate protection against microbial regrowth, while too much can lead to undesirable taste and odor issues, and potentially form harmful disinfection byproducts when it reacts with organic matter. Regulations typically specify maximum and minimum acceptable levels for residual chlorine in treated water to ensure both safety and palatability. The measurement of residual chlorine is a standard practice in water quality testing.