Definition
The dissolved inorganic carbon equilibrium is the equilibrium between CO2 (g), HCO3− (aq), H2CO3 (aq), and CO3−2 (aq) when CO2 is dissolved in water. The equilibrium is dependent on the pressure of the gas, the overlying headspace and gas partial pressure, the solution temperature, the pH of the solution, and the concentration of various solutes such as electrolytes. It is significant because dissolved carbonate species may have a significant impact on the pH of natural waters:
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Cleaves, H.J.(. (2015). Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Equilibrium. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_448
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_448
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