Earth reduction potential

[Boomerius]

I am new to the field, so have been trying to find out about Earth's reduction potential. I couldn't. So maybe you know the answers to following questions :

Earth reduction potential:

- does it have a single one (or maybe it differs depending on a location)

- if it does have one, what is it? (in mv)

- does it differ in natural pools of water (Rivers, Oceans, lakes)?

- anything about natural Earth's reduction potential?

 

[hermanntrude]

generally reduction potentials are reserved only for pure substances, such as the elements or compounds. The earth (the planet) and earth (the soil under us) are both heterogeneous mixtures, which are very complex and hard to assign an exact reduction potential to. However, you could come up with some kind of average based on how oxidising/reducing the soil was. It'd certainly differ in different places and probably even from one square meter to the next.

[insane_alien]

It'd certainly differ in different places and probably even from one square meter to the next.

 

i'd go further and say it would differ if you merely wiggled the electrode in the earth about a bit.

[Boomerius]

I see - thank you

 

Well so wouldn't the water which is connected have the same reduction potential all over as long as it's connected, no matter how far? or would that measurement also change over distance on the water?

[Theophrastus]

You have to also remember that water is also not uniform throughout and does bear various impurities, in the form of various suspended particles, and varying quantities of gaseous and solid solutes. Another thing to consider is temperature in that the water's depth determines its temperature, and as such, lower temperatures, in deeper areas allow for a greater concentration of gaseous solutes, due to their decreased temperature, while areas closer to the surface, allow for a lesser concentration of gaseous solutes, and a higher one for solid ones, as the temperature is greater. To conclude, there is no way to measure the reduction potential of water in the form of lakes and rivers, upon the Earth's surface. And on the concept of rivers, any movement of water in the designated body, would distort measurement even further.

Edited April 14, 2009 by Theophrastus
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