CARBONATE EQUILIBRIA University of （碳酸盐平衡大学）.pdfVIP

- Soil Chemistry 5 1 CARBONATE EQUILIBRIA Carbonates are arguably the most important dissolved component of soil solutions and in alkaline soils this statement is even less disputable. Implicit in this statement is the relationship among dissolved carbonate species whether or not they are in equilibrium with solid phase metal carbonates. The simplest example of carbonates is the control which dissolved carbon dioxide has on water pH and buffering. In this section of the course we will consider the effect of carbon dioxide on water pH, the influence of solid phase calcium carbonate on solution composition and the implications of these reactions. Several systems including carbon dioxide, solution and solid phase carbonates can be envisioned. Some of these include (after Garrels and Christ, 1967). 1. The solution pH of water in equilibrium with carbon dioxide and essentially devoid of other controlling species. 2. The reaction of calcium carbonate saturated solutions with free access to carbon dioxide. In essence this is the equilibrium of lime with air or soil air. Also referred to as an open system with solid phase present. This case is of considerable interest as it represents the relationship of dilute natural waters in contact with the atmosphere and system control only by the carbonate