Methods and systems for determining an ionic strength of a dilute aqueous solution

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for measuring the ionic strengths of the natural water sources. Also disclosed herein are systems used to measure an ionic strength of the natural water sources. More specifically disclosed herein are methods and systems utilizing spectroscopic pH measurements and calculations of the ionic strength as a function of the measured pH.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for measuring an ionic strength of an aqueous sample comprising:
 a) a device comprising
 i) a spectrophotometer; and 
 ii) at least one optical cell configured to obtain a portion of the aqueous sample, wherein the portion of the aqueous sample has a predetermined volume; 
   b) a first dispenser configured to add an amount of an acid or a base to the portion of the aqueous sample to obtain a pH initial  value; and   c) a second dispenser configured to add an amount of a buffer to the portion of the aqueous sample to obtain a pH final .   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the system further comprises a data analyzer configured to analyze the pH initial  value, the pH final  value, to determine a specific dissociation constant K of the buffer, and a value I.