The ocean carbonate system: buffering, acidification chemistry, CO2 sources, the biological pump and the carbonate compensation depth

What this note covers

1. Why seawater pH is about 8.1: the carbonate buffer
2. The acidification reactions
3. Sources of atmospheric CO2 and the CO2–temperature–pH link
4. Temperature and the biological pump: the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2
5. The carbonate compensation depth
6. Geological timescales and exam technique

6 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes