The World’s Most Abundant Chemical Compound: Water

how to test for legionellaDid you know that water is the world’s most abundant chemical compound?

Covering about three fourths of the earth’s surface, water is one of the few ingredients that sustain life. Water is essential to the growth of all living things. It is the medium in which all plant and animal cells exist and by mean of which they function.

Water In Early Times
Because water is vital to animal and plant life, wars have been fought over water rights in the early times. Ancient cities developed where water was available for farming, transportation, and other uses. Civilization has flourished in areas served by fresh water.

The Discovery Of Its Chemical Component
Men in the early times believed water to be an element along with fire, air, and earth. It was in 1973 when Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist found water to be composed of oxygen and hydrogen.

Chemically speaking, water is a compound with 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen. The physical properties of water served as the standards for many scientific systems of measurement.

Water Purification
It was in the 19th century that possibility of diseases could spread through polluted water supplies. The discovery of germs of cholera and typhoid proved this and pointed out the need for water treatment. These days several water purification techniques has been adopted by nations to make sure water is safe for use.

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