Microsoft Word - WaterChemistry

105

Inorganic Chemical Introduction.............

What are Inorganic Compounds?
Inorganic compounds are of inanimate, not biological origin. Inorganic compounds lack carbon
and hydrogen atoms and are synthesized by the agency of geological systems. In contrast, the
synthesis of organic compounds in biological systems incorporates carbohydrates into the
molecular structure.

Organic chemists traditionally refer to any molecule containing carbon as an organic compound
and by default this means that inorganic chemistry deals with molecules lacking carbon. However,
biologists may distinguish organic from inorganic compounds in a different way that does not hinge
on the presence of a carbon atom.

Pools of organic matter, for example, that have been metabolically incorporated into living tissues
persist in decomposing tissues, but as molecules become oxidized into the open environment, such
as atmospheric CO 2 , this creates a separate pool of inorganic compounds.

The distinction between inorganic and organic compounds is not always clear when dealing with
open and closed systems, because everything is ultimately connected to everything else on the
planet.

Some scientists, for example, view the open environment (i.e., the ecosphere) as an extension of
life and from this perspective may consider atmospheric CO 2 as an organic compound. IUPAC, an
agency widely recognized for defining chemical terms, does not offer definitions of inorganic or
organic.

Inorganic compounds are rather simple chemicals present in ground water. These chemicals are
generally described as mineral in nature and usually exist as ions (chemical substances with a
positive or negative charge) when dissolved in water.

Typical examples include sodium, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrate, chloride, sulfate,
and zinc. Many of these chemicals are naturally occurring minerals that are dissolved from the
rock/soil which make up the aquifer or water-bearing rock formations below the soil surface.

However, some of these compounds may be introduced into ground water by human activities.
Nitrate (an agricultural fertilizer) and sodium chloride (road salt) are two examples.

Water purveyors need to test for 30 different inorganic compounds including all arsenic, barium,
cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, and thallium

 Organic compounds - these are once living, or are living and can bring life to cells. These

contain carbon, and their electrons spin clockwise, just like those of the human body.

Additionally, these cells can form an ionic bond with the body and can easily break down

into materials to help with bodily function, such as tissue repair.

 Inorganic compounds- these were never living, without carbon and cannot bring life to

cells. The body treats these metals like toxins and are tightly held together; they cannot be

easily broken down. And, their electrons spin counterclockwise, out of sync with the rest of

the body.