Effect of Atmospheric Ions on Interfacial Water

Abstract

Abstract:The effect of atmospheric positivity on the electrical properties of interfacial water was explored. Interfacial, or exclusion zone (EZ) water was created in the standard way, next to a sheet of Nafion placed horizontally at the bottom of a water-filled chamber. Positive atmospheric ions were created from a high voltage source placed above the chamber. Electrical potential distribution in the interfacial water was measured using microelectrodes. We found that beyond a threshold, the positive ions diminished the magnitude of the negative electrical potential in the interfacial water, sometimes even turning it to positive. Additionally, positive ions produced by an air conditioner were observed to generate similar effects; i.e., the electrical potential shifted in the positive direction but returned to negative when the air conditioner stopped blowing. Sometimes, the effect of the positive ions from the air conditioner was strong enough to destroy the structure of interfacial water by turning the potential decidedly positive. Thus, positive air ions can compromise interfacial water negativity and may explain the known negative impact of positive ions on health.

Deep into the Water: Exploring the Hydro-Electromagnetic and Quantum-Electrodynamic Properties of Interfacial Water in Living Systems

“…However, there is still no agreement to date on the mechanism of how the charged air ions affect biological system. According to recent studies [78] beyond a threshold concentration the ill effect of atmospheric positive charge on interfacial water, which is found to have a net negative charge, may become appreciable-even wiping out the negativity of interfacial water and replacing it with the many positive ions in the water (this phenomenon can potentially explain the "refreshing" sensation that people often feel when stepping out of a crowded room with positive ions from exhalation, and/or with positive ions produced from an air conditioner, and into fresh air. Once the inhibiting positive ions are removed, the interfacial water structure can easily and quickly rebuild.…”

Voltage and concentration gradients across membraneless interface generated next to hydrogels: relation to glycocalyx

“…4,23,24 Experimentally recorded negative voltage of the depletion zone served to support this hypothesis. 4,25 Although some degree of autodissociation of water takes place, especially next to charged interfaces, 26 the possibility of existence of such extensive negatively charged water regions raises serious concerns. 20,22,27 To account for apparent electric negativity and stability of the depletion zones (in spite of fast dynamics of the hydrogen bonding network), the quantum electrodynamics theory provided explanation based on coherent domains of water.…”

“…Due to this feature, the theory of a depletion (or exclusion) zone representing a different physical state of water, essentially immiscible with the bulk and possessing intrinsic net negative charge is still considered, despite its many surrounding controversies. 4,20,[22][23][24][25]27,28 In this work, we aim to (i) further clarify the mechanism behind the depletion zone formation from an electrokinetic perspective, with special focus on the origin of negative voltage (as we show explainable within this framework) and to (ii) explore the possibility to control a depletion zone's main characteristicsexclusion distance and voltage. Very importantly, we aim to translate this knowledge into the biology field as there is a lack of recognition of the possible role played by the physicochemical phenomena, proper for particular states of matter (here gels), in living organisms.…”