Question 1 a) Use a formula to explain why increasing [CO 2 ] inwater leads to a

Question

Question 1 a) Use a formula to explain why increasing [CO2] inwater leads to a lower pH. b) Use a formula to explain how a lower pH would affect the[CO32-] in the ocean. c) Assuming a fairly constant [Ca2+] in the ocean,how would a change in [CO32-] affect thecalcification rate in a coral reef? Question 1 a) Use a formula to explain why increasing [CO2] inwater leads to a lower pH. b) Use a formula to explain how a lower pH would affect the[CO32-] in the ocean. c) Assuming a fairly constant [Ca2+] in the ocean,how would a change in [CO32-] affect thecalcification rate in a coral reef?

Explanation / Answer

1) CO2+ H2O will yield H2CO3 or carbonic acid. The reactionwith water and carbon dioxide will form carbonic acid. This is anacid and thus will lowering the pH by increasing the H+concentration. Ph decreases 2) Based on the first formula, a lower pH would imply a lot ofcarbonic acid in the ocean. This means that CO2 was used to makethis carbonic acid therefore since the acid is being formed, itsconjugate base concentration CO3 will decrease. 3) Calcium reacts the CO3 to form CaCO3, so an increase in CO3will react with calcium so calcification ratewill decrease due toless Ca+2 in the ocean. 2) Based on the first formula, a lower pH would imply a lot ofcarbonic acid in the ocean. This means that CO2 was used to makethis carbonic acid therefore since the acid is being formed, itsconjugate base concentration CO3 will decrease. 3) Calcium reacts the CO3 to form CaCO3, so an increase in CO3will react with calcium so calcification ratewill decrease due toless Ca+2 in the ocean.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse Q
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.