Re: NANFA-- NANFA -- Pond algae

Bruce Stallsmith (fundulus_at_hotmail.com)
Thu, 25 Jul 2002 18:02:12 -0400

<x-flowed>
Yeah, I think Martin's description below is accurate for adsorption vs.
absorption. Carbon-based (organic) compounds can sometimes carry out
significant adsorption, but polarity has to be more closely defined: carbon
is only slightly electronegative as an element, which means that carbon
atoms in of themselves have low polarity. A carbon-based molecule can be
polar, such as ethanol (drinking alcohol) or some amino acids, but this
polarity is due to the actions of other elemental components such as
nitrogen or oxygen which tend towards more polarity.

--Bruce Stallsmith
Huntsville, AL, US of A

>In a message dated 7/25/02 3:39:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>archimed_at_netdoor.com writes:
>
><< > ADsorption is referred to when talking about molecular attractions.
>It
> > usually has to do with various types of charges and bonds in which
>certain
> > molecules are attracted to other molecules. ABsorption is on a larger
> > scale usually. Carbon and other resins aDsorbs substances (tannins,
> > copper, medications, etc), a sponge physically absorbs substances
> > (liquids).
>
> Concurrence, everybody?
> / >>
>Works for me but I think carbon actually does both depending on the size of
>the molecule whether or not it's polar.
>
>Moon
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
</x-flowed>