Calling all Geeks

[chem geek]

I agree that "organics" is a decent catch-all phrase for the stuff that gets into the pool that chlorine deals with. Technically, though, ammonia is not organic as it does not contain carbon (carbon dioxide is usually considered inorganic even though it contains carbon -- yes, it's confusing) and yet chlorine certainly gets consumed by it. It seems to be the only inorganic compound that is normally introduced into the pool and eats up chlorine (the resulting chloramines are also inorganic and eat up more chlorine). Sodium Thiosulfate that is used to eat up chlorine in the alkalinity drop test (or to remove chlorine from pools -- rarely done) is also inorganic, but is not normally found in pools.

The ozone produced in ozone systems can also use up chlorine (and vice versa) and ozone is also inorganic, but hardly anyone on this forum uses an ozone system.

So this is why I usually say that chlorine gets used up by "ammonia and organics" -- just because I'm an anal-retentive chemistry geek.

Richard

[waterbear]

In some of my posts I also say ammonia compounds and organics or just organics...so I think it's a good catch all phrase! To me the word 'organics' used in conjuction with a pool denotes contaminents from living things such as sweat, urine, plant material, bacteria, nitrogeneous fertilizers (manure), etc. Not the 'chemistry' definition but certainly a valid one. the first definition of 'organic' on Dictionay.com is:
Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms: organic matter.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/organic

This certainly describes what we are dealing with in our pools!

[duraleigh]

"Organics" it is.

I find it interesting that the original intent of "geeks" in everday language has morphed from mildly derogatory into a badge of honor.

Appropriately....."Thanks, Geeks!"

[ShelleyAnn]

Dave - I am an "organic" gardener. In my little gardening group we always used the word "organic" to mean things of the earth...things found in nature that are not man-made. Then, some stickler from the "University" came in and lectured and insisted that organic meant that it had carbon in it...still trying to figure out the difference.

Shelley

[AnnaK]

Or, to be really geeky, carbon and hydrogen. Diamonds are all carbon but aren't considered an organic compound.

Ammonia, on the other hand, has no carbon in it yet it reacts with chlorine and falls within the group of 'organics' for purposes of this discussion.

I'm splitting hairs, aren't I?

[matt4x4]

can't we just call it crap or crud???