Oxidation-reduction potential

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP), also known as Redox Potential, is a measure of the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons and thereby be reduced. It is an important concept in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science.

Overview

ORP is a measure of the cleanliness of the water and its ability to break down contaminants. It has a range of -2,000 to + 2,000 and units are in millivolts (mV). With ORP, a higher reading indicates more oxidizing "power".

Measurement

ORP is measured in millivolts (mV) using an ORP meter. A positive ORP reading indicates that a substance is an oxidizing agent. The higher the reading, the more oxidizing it is. As such, a negative ORP reading indicates that a substance is a reducing agent. The lower the reading, the more reducing it is.

Applications

ORP is used in various applications, including water treatment, aquaculture, and brewing. In water treatment, it is used to indicate the disinfection potential of the water. In aquaculture, it is used to monitor the health of fish and other aquatic organisms. In brewing, it is used to control the fermentation process.

See also

• Electrochemistry
• Redox
• Oxidation state
• Reduction potential