Effectiveness of Sphagnum Peat Moss in Purification of Water

The main focus of this study was to observe the effectiveness of Sphagnum peat moss, with respect to reduction of alkalinity and pH, when used as a filter for water. In this study, a prepared alkaline sample of water was passed through a filter containing dry Sphagnum peat moss. The quality of the water thus obtained was measured using a pH meter and phenolphthalein and methyl orange alkalinity test. These tests gave positive results of reduced pH and alkalinity. Thus it was concluded that the water passed through a filter containing Sphagnum peat moss would undergo an overall decrease in alkalinity.