Re: ??? pCO2
curium
> My chemistry stopped with an introductory college course--I'm not a
> chemist. I want to understand the sentence below, and need a little
> help?
>
> "It is now well established that there is a strong possibility that
> surface ocean pCO2 levels will double over their pre-industrial values
> by the middle of this century, with accompanying surface ocean pH and
> carbonate ion decreases that are greater than those experienced during
> the transition from glacial to interglacial periods."
>
> My question, has to do with the process of CO2 dissolving in water.
>
> I thought that CO2 dissolved in water produces carbonates, but this
> statement appears to invalidate that belief.
>
> What is pCO2?
>
> What symbol represents carbonate?
>
> Does the decrease in pH effect carbonates.
>
> Thanks!
pCO2 represents the partial pressure of gaseous carbon dioxide
dissolved in the ocean. It is just a notation used to represent the
concentration of CO2.
CO2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid dissociates
to give, hydrogen ions which lead to a decrease in pH and the carbonate
anion.
I hope this helps. I am not a chemist. I'm a clinical biochemist and my
answer is based upon my knowledge of renal physiology.