What is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration called?

The measure of hydrogen ion concentration is referred to as pH. pH is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It quantifies the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in the solution, where a lower pH value indicates a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (more acidic), and a higher pH value indicates a lower concentration of hydrogen ions (more basic).

Understanding pH is crucial in water treatment and management because it affects many chemical reactions and biological processes in water systems. For instance, the pH level can influence the solubility of metals and nutrients, the efficacy of disinfection processes, and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

While conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct an electric current and is related to the ion concentration, it does not specifically indicate hydrogen ion concentration. Alkalinity refers to the capacity of water to neutralize acids and is influenced by carbonate and bicarbonate ions present in the water. Turbidity measures the cloudiness or haziness of a liquid and is unrelated to hydrogen ion concentration. Thus, pH is the definitive measure to gauge hydrogen ion levels in a solution.