What is Neutralization?
Neutralization is a special type of double displacement reaction. The neutralization reaction is when an acid and base react together in an aqueous solution, this results in the pH of the substance to be closer to 7, meaning the solution will be more neutral. When acids react with bases such as a hydroxide base, the hydrogen ions from the acid react with the hydroxide ions from the base which forms water. Understanding neutralization can help counteract environmental problems such as acid precipitation.
Acidic chemicals in the atmosphere like a sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide can cause several harmful effects on the environment. The process of neutralization reaction can be used to rehabilitate contaminated lakes, that was caused by the acid precipitations or acid spills. Neutralization reactions take place all the time and can be seen all throughout the day and through the daily lives of people.
The process of Rehabilitating Lakes
Emissions of SO2 and NO are one of the major contributors to the increase of acidifications in the lakes in Ontario. When non-metal oxides react with water they produce an acidic solution, meaning when gases such as SO2 or NO react with the water in the atmosphere, it causes the water in the atmosphere to become acidic, causing acid precipitation. Acid precipitation comes with several destructive effects on our environment. When lakes become affected by the acid precipitation, this causes multiple problems with the lakes aquatic system. This is because an aquatic system has a specific buffering capacity, meaning they can generally take small changes in the pH of the water.
Changes of pH too sudden can pose multiple threats in the survivability of the organisms of the ecosystem. Organisms fail to reproduce and some species can only handle certain pH levels causing them to die. When they do die, this can affect the food web within this ecosystem causing the population to dissipate. As the pH of the water drops below 5, only the most acid-tolerant organisms can survive.
Luckily, scientists have found a way to assist the contaminated lakes and that is by neutralizing the acidity of the lake by adding calcium oxide. This method is commonly known as “liming”, as the calcium oxide reacts with the water, this begins to produce a basic solution which in turn will increase the waters pH. Although this seems like good news, this method is only temporary. A long-term solution to the problem would be to eliminate the pollutant at their source.
Neutralizing Stomach Acid:
Gastric acid, gastric juice or stomach acid, is a digestive fluid formed in the stomachand is composed of hydro (HCl, potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The acid plays a key role in allowing the digestion of the food we eat. Although these fluids sound very helpful, they also come with disadvantages. The esophagus has a tight band of muscles at the lower end that closes after the food enters the stomach and prevents the stomach contents to re-enter the esophagus. If this sphincter weakens or relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid can back up into the esophagus, causing heartburns and its complications. Acid reflux creates a burning pain in the lower chest area, often after eating.
This uncomfortable, painful feeling in the lower chest has many medications to it. There are over the counter treatments that people are able to purchase to relieve them of the heartburn. These supplements is what is commonly known as antacids or anti-acids. They help neutralize the excess acid that came from the stomach. Antacids are essentially bases, as stated before, when acids and bases react together, they end up neutralizing each other which basically brings the pH closer to 7 to become more neutral. The most common antacids found in the market include, Tums, Rolaids, Pepto Bismol, etc.
These supplements may contain one of the basic chemicals listed below:
Magnesium Hydroxide
Aluminum Hydroxide
Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Calcium Carbonate
Ways that we can prevent acid reflux from occuring would be to live a healthy lifestyle.
This could include:
Lose weight. Obesity is the leading cause of heartburn
A good diet
Eat smaller meals
Not lying down after eating
Elevating your bed
Avoid smoking
Cutting back on alcohol
Personal Reflection
Neutralization reactions play a big part in the world, although people might not notice it, it is there.Scientist’s understandings on neutralization reactions have helped the world develop so much, through creating medicines that help us when we experience heartburns. Neutralization reaction have also helped many ecosystems on the brink of extinction. Because scientist were able to grasp the understanding neutralization reactions, the world allowed the agriculture to flourish. Fertilizers contain acids, and bases that are used in crops mainly to treat the pH of soil and allow the plants, to grow and receive the right nutrients to supply the world. Neutralization also plays a big part in the treatment of cavities, or tooth decays. In general, Neutralization reactions have helped humanity, and other organisms live, and survive the environment and the human bodies. Without neutralization reactions, humans would struggle with all sorts of acidic and basic chemicals in life.
Will neutralization reactions be an issue in the future? How and Why would they?
Sources:
Garcia, Nissa. “Neutralization Reaction: Definition, Equation & Examples.” Study.com,
Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/neutralization-reaction-definition-equation-examples.html.
“Gastric Acid.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Nov. 2018,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_acid.
MacGill, Markus. “Acid Reflux: Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms.” Medical News Today,
MediLexicon International, 13 Nov. 2017,
Kinman, Tricia. “What Are the Differences Between Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD?”
healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Feb. 2017,
MacMillan, Amanda. “9 Reasons Not to Ignore GERD Symptoms.” Health.com, Meredith
Health Group,
Neutralization reactions will always be an issue because it is a part of mother nature and human nature as well. Acid precipitation is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which react with the water vapor and oxygen in the air to form more acidic pollutants. Humans will have to do something about the acid precipitation as it falls into bodies of water and onto the land. A solution common to humans is neutralization reactions. So as long as acid precipitation continues, humans will have to neutralize the dangers of this rain in the environment. Not only is neutralization reactions continued in the environment, but in our bodies as well. As said so in the blog, our…