Why is pore water pH lower than standing and open water? and what effect does pH have on dissolved oxygen?

Pore water is groundwater located in porous rock strata and soils; it emerges at the surface as springs and streams.





Pore water tends to have a lower pH than standing open water primarily because it is less exposed to carbon dioxide, which is more prevalent in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption, animal expiration, factory emissions, and other sources is absorbed by standing open water, whereupon it forms the ions carbonate (CO3-2) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), both of which act as buffers, combining with hydronium ions (H+), thereby reducing acidity, increasing alkalinity, and raising the pH level.