Over the past 250 years, the average upper-ocean pH near the Pacific Northwest has decreased by about 0.1 units, from about 8.2 to 8.1. This drop in pH corresponds to an increase in acidity of about 30%. When CO2 levels in seawater rise, the availability of carbonate ion, CO32−, makes it more difficult for marine organisms to build and maintain shells and other body parts from calcium carbonate. Calculate H3O+ and OH− concentrations at pH levels of 8.2 and 8.1. Demonstrate by calculations that this decrease in pH corresponds to an increase in acidity of about 30%. Explain the relationship between the pH of seawater and the availability of carbonate ions. Does the change in pH from 8.2 to 8.1 result in an increase or decrease in the availability of carbonate ions?

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
  1. Over the past 250 years, the average upper-ocean pH near the Pacific Northwest has decreased by about 0.1 units, from about 8.2 to 8.1. This drop in pH corresponds to an increase in acidity of about 30%. When CO2 levels in seawater rise, the availability of carbonate ion, CO32, makes it more difficult for marine organisms to build and maintain shells and other body parts from calcium carbonate.
    • Calculate H3O+ and OH concentrations at pH levels of 8.2 and 8.1.
    • Demonstrate by calculations that this decrease in pH corresponds to an increase in acidity of about 30%.

Explain the relationship between the pH of seawater and the availability of carbonate ions. Does the change in pH from 8.2 to 8.1 result in an increase or decrease in the availability of carbonate ions?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Ionic Equilibrium
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY