emäksellisistä

Emäksellisistä refers to a Finnish term that translates to "alkaline" in English. In chemistry, alkalinity describes the capacity of a substance or solution to neutralize acids. This property is usually measured by the concentration of bases present, such as hydroxide ions (OH-).

Substances that are alkaline have a pH greater than 7. The pH scale is a logarithmic measure of hydrogen ion concentration, where a higher pH indicates a lower concentration of hydrogen ions and a higher concentration of hydroxide ions. Common examples of alkaline substances include baking soda, ammonia, and soap.

In environmental science, alkalinity is an important parameter for water quality. It refers to the buffering capacity of water, meaning its ability to resist changes in pH when acids are added. This buffering is crucial for aquatic ecosystems, as it helps to maintain stable conditions for fish and other organisms. High alkalinity in soil can also affect plant growth, influencing nutrient availability and toxicity.

In everyday life, alkaline substances are used in a variety of applications, from cleaning products to antacids. Understanding the properties of alkaline substances is fundamental to many scientific and practical fields.