the power of orp
Oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is one of
the most overlooked factors influencing crop
management in hydroponics. Terms such as pH, TDS
and EC are comparable acronyms that are ubiquitous
within the industry, with countless products available
to monitor and influence their levels. But what exactly
is ORP? And how can you use it to your advantage in
simple, yet effective, ways?
Oxidation and Reduction
First, let’s get a clear understanding of what exactly
oxidation is. Simply put, it is a process by which an
oxidizing agent adds oxygen to a solution and changes
it. Chemically speaking, oxidation occurs when electrons
are lost due to a reaction. Because electrons have a negative charge, the use of powerful oxidizers results in a
solution with a more positive charge. A common example
of this is corrosion. When an iron nail, for instance, is
exposed to oxygen and moisture, iron oxide, or rust, is
created and the iron nail is considered to be oxidized.
The oxidizing agent in this reaction is oxygen.
There are many different oxidizers out there, varying
broadly in strength. If an oxidizer is strong enough, it will
dissolve some or all of the components in the solution,
especially organic compounds.
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Maximum Yield USA | April 2015
“While oxidizers
add oxygen to other
substances, there are
reducing agents that remove
oxygen from substances,
making the solution more
negatively charged by
adding electrons.”