Water is the most common inorganic compound on Earth, which is the basis of atmospheric phenomena, chemical reactions, physiological processes. It is difficult to overestimate its role, because the existence of life and the nature around us would be impossible without its participation.
Water and its role in nature
The water cycle in nature provides the creation of normal conditions for the life of all living organisms and plants. In the process of photosynthesis with the participation of water and light, organic substances necessary for plants are formed. They provide food for insects and herbivores, which in turn are food for predators. The entire digestive chain is tied to water intake.
At the climatic level, the role of water is to control temperature and humidity in the atmosphere. The amount of evaporated moisture falls in the form of precipitation. Air masses move and carry in the form of clouds moisture evaporated from the surface of the oceans to the continents. Large currents carry warm or cold air, creating such a variety of flora and fauna in climatic zones.
For some living organisms, water is a habitat. And even the nucleation and development of the human embryo takes place in the aquatic environment.
The structure and properties of water
The hydrogen oxide molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. In nature, it can occur in three aggregate states: liquid, solid and gaseous. The state of aggregation depends on external conditions: temperature and pressure. The freezing temperature of water is 0 degrees Celsius, and the boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 1 atm. If the pressure is lower, then the water will boil at lower temperatures.
Hydrogen oxide is a dipole, so water has a high level of thermal conductivity and heat capacity. It quickly heats up and cools for a long time. And the property of surface tension allows the liquid to take shape in accordance with the degree of wettability of the substance in contact with it. It is the surface tension property that allows some species of insects to glide over the surface of the water.
What is a part of water? Hydrogen oxide has no color and odor, but in its pure form water does not occur, it contains a long list of organic compounds and chemical elements. Due to the polarity of its molecules, water acts as a universal solvent. The dissolution rate may be higher with increasing temperature. With increasing pressure, a solution of water is able to absorb more gas.
The role of water in the human body
The human body consists of 70-80% of water. All tissues are saturated with moisture, with the exception of only the tissues that make up hair, nails, and bones. Water in the human body plays the role of a solvent and transport for the delivery of nutrients to tissue cells and the removal of decay products. Without the participation of life-giving moisture, no metabolic process occurs.
If a person is sick, doctors recommend drinking more. Upon receipt of a large amount of fluid from the body, toxins and elements of pathogenic microflora are more quickly eliminated, this contributes to a faster recovery. The daily intake of clean water recommended by nutritionists should be at least 1.5-2 liters. By lowering its level in the body, unconditioned reflexes are triggered, which we feel in the form of thirst. Without constant replenishment of the body with fluid, death occurs. A person will not be able to live more than 5-6 days without water. Its receipt in its pure form is necessary for the body, and with a lack of moisture, the skin becomes dry, brittle hair. If a person eats low-quality water for a long time, then health problems can arise. This will affect not only the appearance, but can also cause serious diseases.
The temperature difference in the environment helps the body survive the function of thermoregulation, in which water also participates. With increasing ambient temperature, sweating begins, an unconditioned heat transfer reflex that allows the body to stabilize body temperature.
Pure Drinking Water
Water that meets the acceptable requirements of quality standards is considered potable. The chemical composition of water must comply with the standards established by state quality standards. For daily use, only a pure product is suitable. Water should not contain suspended particles of foreign elements, as well as organisms of pathogenic microflora, which can be causative agents of life-threatening diseases. In our country, the TU "Rospotrebnadzor" monitors the level of water quality.
The source of clean water may be a well or a well. Water from the tap of a city apartment is generally not suitable for drinking. To clean it of impurities, you need to use a filter. When researching a new source, it is necessary to check the chemical composition of water without fail. Never drink from an unfamiliar well, this can have serious consequences.
Bottled water
Due to the low quality of tap water, people began to use the bottled version for drinking and cooking. If you look, this is drinking water, which should not contain extraneous elements, including sweeteners, flavorings and colorings. If the content of these substances exceeds 1%, then such a drink acquires the status of a soft drink.
There are two types of bottled water: mineral and drinking. Mineral water is taken from an officially registered well and contains useful salts and elements. Such water is ready to drink and does not need additional purification. Drinking mineral water in large quantities is not recommended. Water that is created artificially by adding salts and other elements is not considered mineral.
Buy drinking and mineral water only from trusted manufacturers whose product quality meets state standards. An unknown brand in combination with a low price should alert the buyer, it is better not to use such water.
Hardness of water
This indicator is determined by the amount of salts contained in the water. Impurities can be in dissolved, and sometimes in suspension. The very concept of "water hardness" was formed due to the stiffness of the fabric, which was washed in soapy water with a high content of fatty acids.
If the solution contains a large number of different salts, such water can be called hard. It is such water that leaves scale in the kettle and on the heating element of the washing machine. Hard water does not foam well and, when washed, dries and tightens the skin. Hair washed in such water does not comb well and becomes "naughty." Prolonged use of hard water can cause the formation of kidney stones.
Too soft water is also bad. The constant use of such water can cause hypertension, a stomach or duodenal ulcer, caries and gastritis. But for domestic purposes, soft water is very convenient, except for its ability to more intensive oxidation of metal elements. Permissible hardness of water is 2-10 mEq / l. This indicator is an average value of rigidity. To check which category the liquid from your faucet belongs to, you can conduct experiments with soap and pay attention to the presence of scale in the kettle.
Distilled water
The composition of this water is negligible content of any impurities, which reduces its electrical conductivity. Such a liquid cannot be found in the wild, but is obtained by the use of distillers. Changing the composition of water occurs in several stages: water is boiled, steam is released - this condensate is collected in a separate container. If necessary, the procedure is repeated. The result is a liquid with a minimum content of foreign substances.
Areas of use:
- the medicine;
- industry;
- cosmetology;
- biochemistry.
Distilled water is poured into car batteries, playing the role of electrolyte, and is also used in the cooling system. In the field of medicine, such water is used to create solutions of drugs. This type of liquid is not used in food; salts and minerals must be present in the composition of drinking water.
Holy water
The Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany on January 19. It is believed that on this day all the water is endowed with healing properties. There is a tradition according to which you need to plunge into Baptism in Jordan, where you can wash away all your sins and be cleansed by holy water. Water is sanctified by prayers and, according to worshipers, has healing properties.
Scientific research aimed at studying the properties of holy water, is carried out to this day. There is an assumption that on January 19 there is a change in the processes associated with the Earth's magnetic field, and for this reason all the water is being charged. The structure of holy water, unlike ordinary, has groups of molecules assembled into one group - a cluster. This makes sacred water so useful, according to folk healers. In fact, the degree of influence of holy water on the body has not been fully studied, and science cannot explain why some people are miraculously healed from interacting with holy water.
In the Orthodox Church, holy water is used in the rituals of baptism, temple lighting and vessels. Believers use holy water for medicinal purposes. If the water is cloudy, it can only be poured into a place where people or animals do not go, and the vessel in which the holy water was kept can no longer be used for domestic purposes.
Memory of water
The structural elements of water clusters can remember and transmit information. According to the scientist S. V. Zenin, water can “remember” the structure of the substance dissolved in it. Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto conducted a series of studies. He collected water samples from different corners and the world and alternately acted on them. Samples of water, over which prayers were read and songs were sung, built their structure in a certain way, carrying positive information.
This phenomenon has no scientific justification, and opponents of these hypotheses explain the fact of the occurrence of water structure by the fact that sound vibrations from the external environment can affect the arrangement of molecules relative to each other. A long-term storage of holy water is explained by the lack of living organisms in icy baptismal water.
Impurity Analysis
The need to perform a chemical analysis of the composition of water arises in the study of a new source. If a new well was drilled or a well was dug, before using water, it is necessary to check its safety. It is enough to take a sample of water and take it to the SES, this service is engaged in laboratory research.
When determining the composition of water, studies are carried out for the presence of organic and chemical components. The level of acidity, the presence of salts is detected, hardness is determined, as well as the level of concentration of heavy metals. If the well is located at the level of 10-15 meters, then it is necessary to make an extended analysis, which will reveal an even more detailed composition of the water. The proximity of the well to the surface of the earth increases the likelihood of surface and runoff substances, as well as microorganisms that can cause intestinal infections, getting into the water.
Installation of treatment facilities and the choice of their type should be based on the results of chemical analysis of water. After installing the filters to check the level of cleaning, you need to re-analyze.
Water purification
The water that we use for cooking and other daily needs is thoroughly processed before entering the common pipeline. At sewage treatment plants, the liquid must go through several stages of treatment, and at the time it enters the water supply, the water quality must comply with regulatory standards. But this does not mean that it is suitable for drinking and cooking. The thing is that during the active construction of the 20th century the pipeline was made of steel, and eventually corrosion processes began to appear on the pipes. Water passing through rusty pipes is saturated with corrosive elements, and becomes unsuitable for use in this form. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the composition of water and the equipment of an apartment option of treatment devices in the form of filters.
Some properties of unsuitable water can be determined with the naked eye. Pour liquid into a glass and visually examine it. If the water from the tap has an opaque appearance and visible impurities, then you can’t eat it even after the filter. You need to pass a sample for chemical examination and understand the cause of such pollution.
Conclusion
Water is an indispensable necessity for life, so you need to monitor its quality. If you want to be healthy, drink clean and healthy water.