Term
| what happens to CO2 when it reacts/combines with H2O is the ocean? |
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Definition
| it becomes carbonic acid, H2CO3 |
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Term
| in the process of the carbonate buffering system, what happens to carbonic acid (H2CO3)? |
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Definition
| Carbonic acid dissociates into H+ and bicarbonate ion(HCO3-). |
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Term
| in the process of the carbonate buffering system, what happens to bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) |
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Definition
| bicarbonate ion dissociates into H+ and carbonate ion (CO3-) |
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Term
| if seawater is too basic, what does the carbonate buffering system do in response? |
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Definition
| H2CO3 → HCO3- + H+ this lowers pH |
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Term
| if seawater is too acidic, what does the carbonate buffering system do in response? |
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Definition
| HCO3- + H+ → H2CO3 this raises pH |
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Term
| what effect does more dissolved CO2 have on the pH of the ocean and why |
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Definition
| more dissolved CO2 leads to more carbonic acid (H2CO3) which drives the dissociation of carbonic acid to create more products, H+ and HCO3-. This has the effect of lowering the pH in the world's oceans |
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