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- Jul 12, 2015
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Hey,
I am a little confused about the mechanisms of ocean acidification and carbonate buffer system. So I understand an increase in CO2 will react with H2O to form H2CO3.
H2CO3 --> H + + HCO3 - --> H+ + CO3 2-
And sea creatures use CO3 2- to form Ca2+(Co3-). However, i know that Ocean acidification reduces the amount of CO3 2- by reacting with excess hydronium ions to form more bicarbonate ions.
My question is, if CO2 increases, therefore increasing H2CO3, H+, and HCO3-, shouldn't the increase in HCO3- cause the equilibrium to shift to the right forming more CO3 2-? Why does it instead cause Carbonate ion concentration to drop?
Thanks so much for any help.
I am a little confused about the mechanisms of ocean acidification and carbonate buffer system. So I understand an increase in CO2 will react with H2O to form H2CO3.
H2CO3 --> H + + HCO3 - --> H+ + CO3 2-
And sea creatures use CO3 2- to form Ca2+(Co3-). However, i know that Ocean acidification reduces the amount of CO3 2- by reacting with excess hydronium ions to form more bicarbonate ions.
My question is, if CO2 increases, therefore increasing H2CO3, H+, and HCO3-, shouldn't the increase in HCO3- cause the equilibrium to shift to the right forming more CO3 2-? Why does it instead cause Carbonate ion concentration to drop?
Thanks so much for any help.
