Comparative Efficacy of Montmorillonite, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Carbonate in pH Restoration of Acidified Freshwater Bodies

Freshwater acidification is the result of acid rain precipitating over a freshwater body. There are significant ecological consequences that result from such precipitation, as ecosystems surrounding freshwater bodies are destroyed because many of the organisms in these ecosystems cannot tolerate the pH change caused by acid rain. Current solutions involve a technique known as liming, where powdered calcium carbonate is added to freshwater bodies creating a buffer that helps neutralize the acidity caused by acid rain. However, scientists have been searching for alternative methods to combat the decrease in pH caused by freshwater acidification, by using substitute compounds. In this experiment, we test the efficacy of alternate solutions involving montmorillonite and calcium hydroxide when compared to the currently employed method of using calcium carbonate to combat acidification.