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 & Chemical Reactivity
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Author:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
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Chapter16: Principles Of Chemical Reactivity: The Chemistry Of Acids And Bases
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Problem 106GQ: The hydrogen phthalate ion, C8HsO4, is a weak acid with Ka = 3.91 106....
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  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?

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