AALSO Level 1 Operator Certification
Exam
Universal solvent - answer Polarity of the molecule, many substances can be dissolved
in it
Cohesion - answer Water’s affinity for "staying together" or staying intact
Adhesion - answer Water’s affinity for "breaking off" or sticking to another substance
pH - answer Measures the activity of the hydrogen ions in a substance; high activity, low
pH; low activity, high pH
Testing for pH - answer Probe with a glass bulb and low voltage, or a chemical
substance with a known reaction to pH
Temperature - answer The kinetic energy (motion) of the molecules in a substance.
Measured with a thermometer or a temperature probe.
Salinity - answerMeasurement of salt ion concentration in water. Measured with a
refractometer or by conductivity.
Total Ammonia Nitrogen - answerPrimarily a concern at higher pH levels, consists of
ammonia and ammonium. Tested with a reagent.
Nitrogen cycle - answerAmmonia oxidized to nitrite by nitrosomonas, and then oxidized
into nitrate with nitrobacter
Bacteria - answerTesting for coliform bacteria is done with membrane filtration or a plate
count
Alkalinity - answerA measure of water's resistance to changes in pH (buffering
capacity). Measured as carbonate/bicarbonate with an acid titration.
Centrifugal pumps - answerWater enters the impeller and creates pressure as water
exits the pump. Pumps are not self-priming, but can be submersible or air-cooled.
Converts electric energy to kinetic energy to pressure.
Diaphragm pump - answerPositive displacement pump, requires a membrane to move
water in and out and the use of check valves.
Exam
Universal solvent - answer Polarity of the molecule, many substances can be dissolved
in it
Cohesion - answer Water’s affinity for "staying together" or staying intact
Adhesion - answer Water’s affinity for "breaking off" or sticking to another substance
pH - answer Measures the activity of the hydrogen ions in a substance; high activity, low
pH; low activity, high pH
Testing for pH - answer Probe with a glass bulb and low voltage, or a chemical
substance with a known reaction to pH
Temperature - answer The kinetic energy (motion) of the molecules in a substance.
Measured with a thermometer or a temperature probe.
Salinity - answerMeasurement of salt ion concentration in water. Measured with a
refractometer or by conductivity.
Total Ammonia Nitrogen - answerPrimarily a concern at higher pH levels, consists of
ammonia and ammonium. Tested with a reagent.
Nitrogen cycle - answerAmmonia oxidized to nitrite by nitrosomonas, and then oxidized
into nitrate with nitrobacter
Bacteria - answerTesting for coliform bacteria is done with membrane filtration or a plate
count
Alkalinity - answerA measure of water's resistance to changes in pH (buffering
capacity). Measured as carbonate/bicarbonate with an acid titration.
Centrifugal pumps - answerWater enters the impeller and creates pressure as water
exits the pump. Pumps are not self-priming, but can be submersible or air-cooled.
Converts electric energy to kinetic energy to pressure.
Diaphragm pump - answerPositive displacement pump, requires a membrane to move
water in and out and the use of check valves.
