Alkalinity is the measure of the measure of the pH buffering capacity, or the ability to resist a pH change. The buffering system within seawater consists predominantely of the following anions:

• carbonate, CO₃^2-
• hydrogen bicarbonate, HCO₃^-
• borate, BO₃^3-
• sulphate, SO₄^2-
• hydroxide, OH^-

The alkalinity value is determined by the amount of free acid, hydrogen ions (H⁺), required to neutralise all of the above anions. The three most common units of measurement are:

• meq/l - milli-equivalent per litre
• dKH - degree of carbonate hardness
• ppm CaCO₃ - equivalent calcium carbonate concentration

The conversion between the three units is: 1 meq/l = 2.8 dKH = 50 ppm CaCO₃

The preferred range for alkalinity is 2.5 to 4.0 meq/ml for reef aquariums (2.5 to 3.5 meq/ml for natural salt water).

You can find out more alkalinity in the Alkalinity article.

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