Lectures 19: Alkalinity and DIC

1. The carbonate system
2. Alkalinity
   1. Examples
3. Carbonate Saturation

We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Practice Problem: relative abundance of carbon species in seawater

Q1: Determine the relative abundances of carbon species in the ocean with the following measurements:

• pH: 8.1
• DIC: 2.1 mmol/kg
• $k_1$=$e^{-13.4847}$
• $k_2$=$e^{-20.5504}$

An exercise: relative abundance of carbon species in seawater

Practice Problem: relative abundance of carbon species in seawater (isotopic composition)

Q2: Using the ratios from the previous question, determine the isotopic composition of each carbon bearing species assuming that:

• $\delta^{13}$C of H2CO3 is 10 per mil less than HCO3-
• $\delta^{13}$C of CO3$^{2-}$ is 4 per mil less than HCO3-
• $\delta^{13}$C of DIC is 7 per mil

Relative abundance of carbon species in seawater (isotopic composition)

An exercise: relative abundance of carbon species in seawater

CO2, Alkalinity, and DIC