Knowing the ionic strength of natural water resources is crucial to study the behaviors of dissolved substances like pollutant trace metals and nutrients. The proposed solution allows direct measurement of the ionic strength of dilute aqueous solutions. This, along with temperature measurement, allows quantitative use of pH to calculate free and complexed ion concentrations in solution. This information is essential for assessments of the solubilities of minerals and the toxicities of bioactive ions in solution. This invention can be applied to various types of natural water resources such as lake waters, river waters, and soil porewaters.
Direct, reliable, and portable measurement of ionic strength of dilute aqueous solutions.