Thread: Seawater buffering system

Hey guys I need help interrupting a graph for the following question:

Use the graph below and also the equations for the carbonate buffering system to explain the buffering system and the effect of CO₂ on shellfish.

What I have so far:

There are four main steps in the oceans carbonate buffering system. The first step is the CO2 is dissolved into the water a form carbonic acid.
H2O + CO2 à H2CO3
The second step is more the carbonic acid breaks down into H+ and bicarbonate ions
H2CO3 à H+ + HCO3 –
The third step is the H+ reacted with the CO3 already in seawater, this neutralizes the water and creates more HCO3
H+ + CO3- à HCO3
The forth step is the production of Calcium Carbonate:
Ca + CO3 à CaCO3
This is used to both mop up the excess H+ ions and used to strength the shells of certain shellfish. This system can break down in the near future due to their being more CO2 being produced and dissolved into the water. This in turn creates more H+ ions which has to be mopped up by the CaCO3 meaning less Calcium is going towards the production of shellfish shells.

Forgot the link to the graph here it is: http://i.imgur.com/3DCwUFK.jpg

Originally Posted by Som

Forgot the link to the graph here it is: http://i.imgur.com/3DCwUFK.jpg

This sounds like your homework. We don't do that for you here, though we will try to help you understand any concepts that you have trouble with.

And I think you mean "interpreting", not "interrupting". You must be using a tablet of some kind that guesses (wrongly) the word you are typing.