Pool Water Chemistry

What Is Oxidation?

Oxidation is a chemical process involving loss of electrons; in pool care, oxidizers react with certain contaminants.

Electron transfer from a material to an oxidizer: the material loses electrons and is oxidized. Symbols are conceptual, not a molecular reaction mechanism.

Understanding the Concept

Oxidation and disinfection can overlap, but they describe different purposes. Disinfection targets disease-causing organisms; oxidation describes a chemical reaction.

Common Misunderstanding

An oxidizer is not automatically a substitute for a pool sanitizer. Follow the product label for its intended use.

Related terms

Chloramines
Pool Shock

Learn more

Pool Sanitizer vs Shock: Two Tools, Two Jobs

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