Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
effect of these chemicals, we need to discuss the chemistry of CO
2
in
water (see
Figure 5.3.2
).
CO
2
reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H
2
CO
3
). This is a rela-
tively slow chemical reaction and therefore the rate-limiting step for the
uptake of CO
2
in water. Carbonic acid further dissociates into a (hydrated)
proton and a bicarbonate (HCO
3
−
) ion. Bicarbonate is an acid. While this
Figure 5.3.2
Chemical reactions of CO
2
in water
Search WWH ::
Custom Search