Carbonate

Carbonate is an anion with a charge of -2 and an empirical formula of CO32-.

Related Topics:
Anion - Empirical formula

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For an aqueous solution, carbonate exists in three forms. In strongly basic conditions, the carbonate ion, CO32-, predominates. In weakly basic conditions, bicarbonate ion, HCO3- is prevalent. In acid conditions, aqueous carbon dioxide, CO2(aq), is the main form. This also contains a minute amount of carbonic acid, H2CO3. Thus sodium carbonate is basic, sodium bicarbonate is weakly basic, while carbon dioxide itself is a weak acid.

Related Topics:
Aqueous solution - Bicarbonate - Carbon dioxide - Carbonic acid - Sodium carbonate - Sodium bicarbonate

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In biological systems the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, catalyzes this interconversion between carbon dioxide and carbonate ions. To test for the presence of the carbonate anion in a salt, the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid will yield carbon dioxide gas.

Related Topics:
Enzyme - Carbonic anhydrase - Catalyzes - Hydrochloric acid

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Carbonate-containing salts are industrially and mineralogically

Related Topics:
Salt - Mineral

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ubiquitous. The term "carbonate" is also commonly used to refer to one of these salts or carbonate minerals. Most common is calcite, or calcium carbonate, the chief constituent of limestone. The process of removing these salts is called calcination.

Related Topics:
Carbonate minerals - Calcite - Limestone - Calcination

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The term is also used as a verb, to describe the process of

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raising carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations in water, see also carbonated water, either by the introduction under pressure of carbon dioxide gas into the water, or by dissoving carbonate or bicarbonate salts into the water.

Related Topics:
Bicarbonate - Carbonated water - Carbon dioxide

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At one time, it was thought that the presence of carbonates in rock was unequivocal evidence for the presence of liquid water. Recent observations of two planetary nebulae reported in the January 17, 2002 issue of the scientific journal Nature indicate that carbonates can form in interplanetary space.

Related Topics:
Rock - Planetary nebula - January 17 - 2002 - ''Nature''

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Carbonates were detected in the Gusev Crater on Mars by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit on January 9, 2004. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/rover-images/jan-09-2004/captions/image-10.html

Related Topics:
Gusev Crater - Mars Exploration Rover - January 9 - 2004

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