Magnesium hydride is not typically used as an electrode material in standard water electrolysis for purification. Instead, it is used in a hydrolysis reaction with water to produce hydrogen gas and magnesium hydroxide, which can be part of a water treatment system. The resultant magnesium hydroxide can then be used in water purification to treat acidic wastewater and remove heavy metals.

Role in Water Purification
The primary use of magnesium compounds in water treatment is related to the resulting magnesium hydroxide byproduct of the hydrolysis reaction:

pH Adjustment: Magnesium hydroxide is a weak alkali used to neutralize acidic wastewater.

Contaminant Removal: It helps precipitate heavy metals (e.g., copper, lead, cadmium) as insoluble hydroxides, which can then be removed.

Flocculation: The particles help clump together suspended solids, making them easier to filter out.

Electrolysis Context
In a conventional water electrolysis system, electrodes are used to split water molecules.

Cathode: Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode (negatively charged electrode).

Anode: Oxygen gas is produced at the anode (positively charged electrode).

If metallic magnesium or magnesium-based materials are used as anodes in an aqueous electrolyte, they suffer from surface passivation due to the formation of an
layer, which is highly insoluble and impedes the electrochemical reaction.

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what state of hydrogen state is Salton sea, Hydronium Ion or Hydride Ion?

The Salton Sea is a major source of hydrogen sulfide gas. While the water itself contains hydronium ions as part of its normal, slightly alkaline pH (around 7.3 to 8.8), the environmental issue defined by the "rotten egg" odor is due to the formation and emission of hydrogen sulfide, a covalent compound where hydrogen is in its +1 oxidation state. The key hydrogen-related pollutant at the Salton Sea is hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S):
The primary concern is the massive emission of gas, produced by bacteria that thrive in the lake's low-oxygen, high-sulfate, and nutrient-rich environment, particularly in the summer.

Hydronium Ion (H3O+):
The Salton Sea has a pH of approximately 7.3 to 8.8. As it is slightly basic, the concentration of free hydronium ions (acidic) is relatively low compared to neutral water, and it is not the defining chemical species causing the odor or toxicity concerns.

Hydride Ion (H‐): This state of hydrogen is not present in significant, relevant amounts in the Salton Sea, as hydrogen behaves as a +1 cation, not a -1 anion in this environment.

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The scientific chemical name of molecular hydrogen in a neutral state is Dihydrogen (H2).

Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
Hydride Ion (H‐)
Dihydrogen (H2) neutral
Hydronium Ion (H3O+)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Hydrosulfide (HS-)

Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) allows "bad" bacteria—specifically sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) (like Desulfovibrio and Bilophila wadsworthia) to thrive in the small intestine (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO), where they break down sulfur-containing foods and produce excessive Hydrogen Sulfide (𝐻2𝑆) and Hydrosulfide (𝐻𝑆−) gas.

Bismuth Subsalicylate: Known to bind to sulfur and reduce (H2S) production.

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(Can application of magnesium hydroxide neutralize hydrogen sulfide in Salton sea?)

Yes, the application of magnesium hydroxide can neutralize hydrogen sulfide in the Salton Sea by increasing the water's pH and shifting the chemical equilibrium, converting toxic hydrogen sulfide gas into the non-volatile hydrosulfide ion and water-soluble magnesium sulfides. It is a proven, safe method used in wastewater treatment to control odors, though implementing it on the scale of the Salton Sea presents significant logistical challenges.

How It Works
pH Elevation: Magnesium hydroxide acts as a weak base that raises the pH of the water.

Equilibrium Shift: Hydrogen sulfide exists in equilibrium:

Magnesium oxide releases hydroxide ions, it consumes hydrogen ions, forcing the reaction to the right, keeping the sulfur in the liquid phase as bisulfide rather than letting it escape as smelly
gas.

Long-Lasting Buffering: Unlike caustic soda, magnesium oxide dissolves slowly as acidity increases, providing a sustained buffering effect over time.

Pros and Cons for the Salton Sea

While chemically effective, the application in an open, highly saline, and large-scale environment like the Salton Sea has specific considerations:

In summary, magnesium hydroxide is an effective chemical treatment to mitigate Hydrogen sulfide odor events on the Salton Sea surface, but it is not a "cure" for the underlying cause of the sulfur production (bacteria breaking down organic matter in anoxic conditions).

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Magnesium hydroxide, with the chemical formula Mg(OH)2, is an inorganic compound widely used as an antacid to relieve indigestion and as a saline laxative (milk of magnesia).

Safety: It is considered a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) substance by the FDA.

Magnesium, typically in the form of magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide, neutralizes hydrogen sulfide in water by increasing the pH and alkalinity, converting the volatile, stinky gas into non-volatile, soluble bisulfide ions. This prevents the sulfide from escaping into the atmosphere as a gas while also inhibiting the bacteria that produce it.

Here is a detailed breakdown of how magnesium neutralizes:

The Chemistry of Neutralization (pH Adjustment)

Hydrogen sulfide is a weak acid that exists in a dynamic equilibrium with its non-volatile ion counterpart, bisulfide, depending on the water's pH.

At low/neutral pH (6–7): A high percentage of the sulfide escapes as the "rotten egg" odor.

With Magnesium Hydroxide: Magnesium hydroxide is added to the lake, which slowly dissolves and releases hydroxide ions, acting as a "controlled release" buffer. It raises the pH to a slightly alkaline level (typically 8.0–9.0).
Result: As the pH rises, hydrogen sulfide converted into the non-volatile bisulfide ion.

Because bisulfide is an ion, it remains dissolved in the water and does not cause odor.

Inhibition of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB)
Hydrogen sulfide in lakes is often produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) living in anaerobic (low oxygen) zones of the mud and water. These bacteria thrive best in a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

By raising the pH above 8.0-8.5 using magnesium, the environment becomes hostile to these bacteria, slowing or halting their ability to create more hydrogen sulfide.

Advantages of Magnesium Over Other Chemicals
Magnesium compounds are preferred for lake and wastewater treatment because:

Controlled Release: Unlike strong caustics (like sodium hydroxide), magnesium hydroxide is only moderately soluble. It remains as solid particles in the water, only dissolving when it encounters acid, providing a sustained buffering effect.

Safety: It is non-hazardous, non-corrosive, and safe for technicians to handle.

Reduced Sludge: It tends to result in less sludge production compared to using lime.

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comments ..

In summary, magnesium hydroxide is an effective chemical treatment to mitigate Hydrogen sulfide odor events on the Salton Sea surface, but it is not a "cure" for the underlying cause of the sulfur production (bacteria breaking down organic matter in anoxic conditions).

This is why pumped air as an Oxygen source into Salton Sea and beneficial microbes would offset the sulfur from anaerobes.

Oxygen-using bacteria (aerobes)

Non-oxygen bacteria (anaerobes).

HOB (Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacteria) & Knallgas Bacteria

Hydrogen-Dominant Microbes

Mechanism: Bacteria (usually anaerobes) ferment carbon, creating high levels of Hydrogen.

Hydrogenotrophs (Hydrogen Consumers):

Methanogens, Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB)

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My original search was Magnesium Hydroxide, but the sea already has loads of Hydrogen, a better idea is Magnesium Oxide, and is likely much cheaper.

Magnesium oxide acts as an oxide that converts to magnesium hydroxide when it comes into contact with water, making them functionally similar over time.

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im talking with my family from Imperial County, next to Salton Sea.

Salton Sea, at the heart of San Andreas Falt-line.

the problem is its toxic and loaded with agricultural runoff & double salted more then the ocean.

its below sea level, the water is so caustic from hydrogen sulfide & salts, it will rust a car out in days.

if the Sea ever goes dry, the dust is so toxic that the entire location in 100s of miles is toxic dust.

i came up with an idea to fix it using Magnesium Oxide & pumping air deep into it.

the original idea was electrolysis of magnesium anodes cathodes blocks.

then it occurred to just go direct with Magnesium powder and air pumps.

i asked AI in search, it condemned yes it will flip the Hydrogen into a better ion state & bind up the sulfur into stone.

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The high rates of evaporation, combined with relatively high summer temperatures and low humidity, make the Salton Sea highly enriched in deuterium compared to typical freshwater systems in the region.

Symptoms: High concentrations of deuterium (heavy water) act as a strong metabolic inhibitor.

Magnesium oxide can react with deuterium oxide (heavy water) to form magnesium deuteroxide.

As a metal oxide, magnesium oxide behaves as a base. It acts as a neutralizing agent by reacting with deuterium to produce a deuteroxide, which is analogous to a hydroxide, thus "neutralizing" the heavy water into a less reactive, basic solid.

Magnesium oxide is a strong base that can be used to treat or neutralize acidic water by forming solid hydroxides, and this same principle holds true for the deuterated forms.

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The Girdler sulfide (GS) process is a primary industrial method for producing heavy water by separating deuterium from hydrogen in natural water using hydrogen sulfide. While magnesium oxide can act as a neutralizing agent or stabilizer in chemical processes.

The connection between hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and deuterium (D) in basin water centers primarily on isotope exchange processes used to produce heavy water (D20), where hydrogen sulfide acts as a carrier to concentrate deuterium from water. This process exploits the fact that deuterium prefers to bond with sulfur in (H2S) at hot temperatures and with oxygen in (H2O) at cold temperatures.