Strong Gradients in Weak Magnetic Fields Induce DOLLOP Formation in Tap Water

Abstract

Abstract:In 2012 Coey proposed a theory on the mechanism of magnetic water treatment based on the gradient of the applied field rather than its absolute strength. We tested this theory by measuring the effect of very weak field magnets (ď 10 G) containing strong magnetic inhomogeneities (∆B = 2 kG¨m´1) on tap water samples by the use of electric impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and laser scattering. Our results show an increased formation of nm-sized prenucleation clusters (dynamically ordered liquid like oxyanion polymers or "DOLLOPs") due to the exposure to the magnetic field and thus are consistent with Coey's theory which is therefore also applicable to very weak magnetic fields as long as they contain strong gradients.

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“…The formation of DOLLOPs is thus detectable by EIS as an increase in electric resistance due to the lower number of ions available accompanied by a decrease of electrode polarization for the same reason. In addition, if tap water contains microscale lime sediments they can dissolve due to the shift in the solubility product caused by the DOLLOP formation, and the opposite changes are observed: decrease of electric resistance, and increase of electrode polarization [28]. In the present work EIS measurements were carried out in parallel to the biological experiments as control experiments in order verify the physico-chemical action (the accelerated DOLLOP formation) of the WCMs.…”

“…If C ≥ 1, then the magnetic device can effectively accelerate the DOLLOP growth. This hypothesis was tested using water core magnets (WCMs), commercially available water treatment devices with a very low overall field strength but strong magnetic gradients [28]. Using impedance spectroscopy and laser scattering it was shown that exposure of tap water to WCMs can induce DOLLOP formation due to a sufficiently high Coey criterion, C ≥ 1 .…”

“…Using impedance spectroscopy and laser scattering it was shown that exposure of tap water to WCMs can induce DOLLOP formation due to a sufficiently high Coey criterion, C ≥ 1 . [28] Many manufacturers of magnetic devices claim that their treatment is also beneficial for the microbiological water quality [29], an effect often referred to as (re-)vitalization, although this term is, strictly scientifically speaking, not defined. Therefore, it should be pointed out here that it is in principle impossible to prove or disprove (re-)vitalization effects, doing so is also not the purpose of this investigation.…”

“…Therefore, it should be pointed out here that it is in principle impossible to prove or disprove (re-)vitalization effects, doing so is also not the purpose of this investigation. But since magnetic treatment devices are widely applied and little is known about their effects on the natural microbiome of tap water and since we were recently able to demonstrate physico-chemical changes induced by weak fields with strong gradients [28], we chose to investigate possible biological effects of this treatment as well.…”

Correction: Sammer, M., et al. Strong Gradients in Weak Magnetic Fields Induce DOLLOP Formation in Tap Water. Water 2016, 8, 79

“…All changes: in the publication [1], this correction refers to the magnetic fields of the water core magnets (WCMs). In order to read out the data from the magnetometer, a program written and tested in Delphi2005 was used.…”