Will Potassium Permanganate Lower PH?

Potassium permanganate is a reagent that precipitates, dissolves, oxidizes, reduces or colors biological tissue indicating a change between acidity and alkalinity. Large quantities of magnesium are found in feces. Potassium permanganate is used in drinking water to remove iron and magnesium. Potassium creates acid as it oxidizes iron and magnesium, which changes the pH of the drinking water. Potassium permanganate oxidizes quickly and kills bacteria, fungi, viruses and algae.

Acid Base Homeostasis

Potassium is involved in acid base homeostasis, protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism in the human body. Potassium is necessary for muscle tissue growth. Calcium, potassium and sodium circulate in the blood, are present in muscle and skin tissue and excreted in urine. The concentration of the electrolytes determines the pH of the serum, tissue and urine. Since Potassium permanganate creates acid and heat as it oxidizes, the pH becomes more acidic.

Indicator

The reactive qualities of potassium permanganate make it a rapid indicator for E. Coli, Polio virus and toxins. Potassium permanganate is used on slides of blood cells, urine and tissue to determine the presence of barbiturates and other drugs in the blood, urine or tissue. The same reactive qualities that makes potassium permanganate rapidly identify pathogens are explosive or inflammatory in contact with other substances.

pH effects Potassium Permanganate

Alkaline conditions enhance the capability of potassium permanganate, which oxidizes organic matter faster in alkaline conditions. Potassium permanganate is a better biocide in acidic conditions than under alkaline conditions. Potassium permanganate is an effective biocide for E. coli at lower pHs, such as pH 5.9, and a water temperature of 0 to 20°. Potassium permanganate oxidizes a wide variety of inorganic and organic substances in the pH range of 4 to 9.

Higher temperatures slightly enhance bactericidal action of potassium permanganate. The polio virus can be deactivated by the oxidative effect of potassium permanganate.

Fisheries

Potassium Permanganate is an oxidant, biocide at 4 mg of potassium permanganate per liter of water in fisheries. It kills algae, kills and removes parasites on fish, prevents disease, heals wounds on fish and detoxifies water removing magnesium and other metals. Potassium permanganate releases hydrogen into the water and generates heat during the oxidation process, but the volume of the water and the amount of algae and parasites removed must be considered in determing whether the potassium permanganate significantly changes the pH of the water.

Drinking Water

Potassium permanganate removes iron and magnesium from drinking water. Large quantities of magnesium are found in feces. Potassium permanganate creates acid, releases hydrogen and heat, as it oxidizes iron and magnesium. Potassium permanganate oxidizes quickly and kills bacteria, fungi, viruses and algae. Again, the volume of the water and the amount of material oxidized must be considered in determining if potassium permanganate sufficiently effects the pH of the water.