What is the role of sodium bisulfate in pool maintenance?

Sodium bisulfate is primarily used in pool maintenance for its ability to lower pH levels and total alkalinity. Maintaining the appropriate pH is crucial for swimmer comfort and the effectiveness of chlorine as a sanitizer. When pH levels are too high, it can lead to issues such as reduced chlorine effectiveness, cloudy water, and scaling. Therefore, sodium bisulfate acts as an acid that lowers both the pH and total alkalinity, helping to restore balance to the water chemistry. This is essential in ensuring a safe and pleasant swimming environment.

Other substances mentioned in the choices serve different purposes; for instance, raising pH levels would require an alkaline compound, while clarifying agents help improve water clarity but do not affect pH or alkalinity. A stabilizer, typically cyanuric acid, protects chlorine from degradation due to sunlight rather than influencing pH directly. Thus, sodium bisulfate's specific action in lowering pH and total alkalinity makes it an important tool for pool operators.