Buffer

 =Buffers=

[6]

**__ What is a buffer? __** Definition:  A buffer is a substance that can balance out acids or bases. It is usually a mineral, and can be natural or man-made.[1] **__What types of substances are buffers?__** Limestone (calcium carbonate) is the most comman buffer.[3] [7]

__**How does a** **buffer** **effect the pH of a substance?**__ A buffer conteracts the acidity or basicness of a substance, without accually changing the pHof the substance. A stream or river can be buffered when it can resist changes in pH.The buffering capacity for a mineral is how much the substance can change the pH. A buffered stream will maintain a pH close to neutral (pH 7). Buffering helps reduce the effects of acid rain in the stream or river. [5] Since most organisms  can survive only within narrow pH limits, buffering is very important.(1)

When acid rain falls near a river or stream it can change the pH of the water and harm the waterlife. Buffers, like limestone, that are the banks of a river can change the acidity of the water to neutral.Some people use liming to help raise the pH in a lake or river. Liming is taking very small pieces of limestone and putting it in a pond,stream, or river.Liming is also okay for the water life.[3]
 * __ How are buffers used to solve acid rain problems? __**

The banks of the Fo and Missterssippi Rivers are mostly limestone. That would netralize the acid rain that falls there. But, the rest of the riverbanks are granite, which don't neutralize acids. [4]
 * __Where are Buffers found in Gray Area?__**

Source: [ 1]"buffer" //A Dictionary of Genetics//. Robert C. King, William D. Stansfield and Pamela K. Mulligan. Oxford University Press, 2007. //Oxford// //Reference Online//. Oxford University Press. Infohio - NOACSC. 16 December 2008    http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t224.e0828 [2]"buffering capacity" //A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation//. Chris Park. Oxford University Press, 2007. //Oxford// //Reference Online//. Oxford University Press. Infohio - NOACSC. 16 December 2008   http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t244.e1009 [3]Lazur, Andy. "Use of Lime in Fish Ponds." June 1997. 18 Dec. 2008 < http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fao28 >. [4]Zeh,Sara."Environmental Detective Notebook" [5] __Buffering__. 1997. Home page. January 3, 2009. http://www.amrclearinghouse.org/ [6] Lloyd, Gus. __Little Miami River.__ 2006. Lloyd, Gus, New York. http://guslloyd.com/images/Little%20Miami%20web.JPG [7] __Limestone__. __Kenya Chamber Mines__. 7 Jan. 2009 .