Buffers in Our Daily Life

Advanced Chemistry
Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________ Mods: _________
Introduction to Buffers
A buffer solution is that which resists changes in pH and whose pH is not altered to any great extent
by the addition of small quantities of either strong acid (H+ ions) or a strong base (OH– ions).
A buffer solution is created by combining a weak acid/base conjugate pair.
Both the acidic component and a basic component must be present in a buffer solution. The basic
component of the solution will react with any acid (H+ ions) added to the solution to resist lowering of the
pH and the acidic component of the solution will react with any base (OH– ions) added to the solution to
resist increasing of the pH. Generally, the buffer solution is meant to neutralize any added acid or base
BEFORE it can affect any pH values.
Some examples of buffer solutions are listed below:
Buffer Solution Consists of… Acidic Component in Basic Component in

Buffer Solution Buffer Solution
Weak acid & conjugate base HC6H7O7 (citric acid) C6H7O7-
Weak acid & conjugate base HCO3- CO32- (carbonate)
Weak base & conjugate acid NH4+ NH3 (ammonia)
Directions: Read the article attached and answer the following questions
about the presence of buffers in our daily lives
Buffers in our Daily Life by Alex Reis
Buffers and industrial applications
Multiple industrial processes rely on buffers, including pharmaceuticals, food and textiles,
just to name a few. Let’s have a look at some examples:
Pharmaceutical industries
Many different therapeutic drugs are synthesized under strict pH conditions to ensure the
stability and clinical effectiveness of these treatments. This is usually achieved with buffer
solutions. Since the buffer’s job is to maintain a consistent pH regardless of changes made
to the solution, the buffer solution makes it possible for drugs to perform at their peak at
an appropriate pH value. In addition, buffers can be used to:
 Increase the drug’s shelf-life

 Maintain the drug in a specific un-ionized or ionized form, depending on the type of
solution used. For example, ionized forms tend to be more soluble in water, while un-
ionized forms are more soluble in lipids (fats in the body). This is significant because
drugs dissolved in lipids generally last longer in your body so they provide longer-term
symptom relief compared with water soluble drugs which are fast acting but quickly
pass through the body.
 Maintain the drug in a near-neutral pH, this way avoiding any irritation to the body
tissues
Fermentation
Fermentation reactions – such as in alcoholic beverages or yogurt – are highly affected by

varying pH. This means it’s essential to use buffer solutions to avoid harsh changes and
allow fermentation to progress to obtain maximum yield.
For example, in bread, the pH of the dough will naturally drop with the production of CO 2
(a product of the bread-making process) and some other organic acids. Within the bread
dough, natural buffers as well as milk, flour, and other chemical products such as calcium
bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) can be used to limit pH variations during fermentation and
maintain a consistent pH.
Specialized buffers are also used extensively in the food industry as food additives, in
particular to ensure the appearance and flavor of certain food items, as well as delaying
any microbiological “invasion”. This buffer additives can prolong the shelf-life of these
foods.
Other industries
 Manufacture of glue: properties of some ingredients used in the manufacture of

glue, such as gelatin, change significantly even within minute alterations in pH. Buffers
are used to avoid these changes.
 Electroplating: Plating of some alloys can only be successfully completed if pH is
kept under narrow limits. This is a process which is necessary to mint U.S. pennies; a
thin layer of copper is plated on top of the (which makes up the majority of a penny).
 Printing: Buffers are used during printing to ensure the ink maintains its normal
properties. Incorrect pH may affect how the ink penetrates and dries on the paper,
altering the final result.
Buffers in nature
Buffers in water
Like any other organism, aquatic life forms need a stable pH in their environment.
However, there are many factors which may significantly alter this parameter leading to
unsuitable conditions for fish and sea plants to thrive in water. One of the major problems
is pollution in the form of acid rain. This acidity is derived from sulfur dioxide (SO2)
emissions which are converted to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in the clouds and dissolved in rain
water.
Acid Rain Formation: SO2 +O3 (from the sun)  H2SO4  H+ + SO42-
When a body of water is affected by acid rain, its natural buffering systems get into
operation. This includes, for example, the reaction between carbonate (CO 32- and HCO3-)
and hydrogen (H+) to neutralize its effects.
Natural Buffer System in Water: CO32- + H+  HCO3- + H+  H2CO3
Without this natural buffer in lakes and oceans, the pH would drop critically low causing
irreversible damage to aquatic life, particularly affecting gills and fins in fish.
Buffers in soil
The pH in soil is also critical, as plants grow better under specific pH conditions. Also
caused by acid rain, acidification of the soil is becoming a serious problem, as natural
buffer systems may not be able to cope with such drastic changes. This way, not only vital
nutrients are dissolved and washed away, but also the microorganisms responsible for
nitrogen fixation and breakdown of organic matter are affected, eventually disturbing the
entire ecosystem.
Reading Assessment Questions: Be sure to use specific evidence

from the article to answer the following questions:
1) State two ways in which buffers play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry.
2) How do buffers prevent the spoilage of foods?

3) The northeastern region of the USA sees the highest levels of acid rain (rain must have a pH
below 5.6 to be considered acid rain). What is the natural buffer solution present in water that
helps resist changes in pH?
4) Without a the natural buffering system in place in lakes and oceans, what would happen to the pH
in bodies of water each time there is acid rainfall? What would happen to aquatic life?
5) The soil in some parts of America is becoming too acidic to support plant growth. While there are
natural buffering systems in place in the soil, these buffers seem to be running out; they are no
longer able to neutralize added acid or base and thus cannot resist changes in the pH of the soil
each time it encounters acid rain. The term buffering capacity is related to this phenomenon. Try
to define buffering capacity based on the context above.
6) Think About It: Human blood must maintain a very specific pH of between 7.35 and 7.45 in order
for blood cells to perform their required functions. The same buffer that is found in natural
watering systems is present in our blood. Explain why a buffer is crucial in our blood.

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Advanced Chemistry

Name: ___________________________ Date: _ Mods: ___

A buffer solution is created by combining a weak acid/base conjugate pair.

Some examples of buffer solutions are listed below:

Buffer Solution Consists of… Acidic Component in Basic Component in

Buffers in our Daily Life by Alex Reis

Buffers and industrial applications

 Increase the drug’s shelf-life

Fermentation reactions – such as in alcoholic beverages or yogurt – are highly affected by

 Manufacture of glue: properties of some ingredients used in the manufacture of

Natural Buffer System in Water: CO32- + H+  HCO3- + H+  H2CO3

Reading Assessment Questions: Be sure to use specific evidence

2) How do buffers prevent the spoilage of foods?

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