How does Sodium Bicarbonate prevent sudden changes in the pH of pond water?
Carbonates have a tendency to form different compounds with Hydrogen, and, dependent on the pH, the proportions of these compounds compared to each other will change. H2CO3 <===> HCO3- + H+ <===> CO3– + 2H++ H2CO3 <===> HCO3- + H+ <===> CO3– + 2H++ Can become Plus Can become Plus Carbonic Acid Bicarbonate + Hydrogen Carbonate + 2 Hydrogen Remember, this is not complicated, just count the fruit, and follow how the H’s move back and forth. In the equation above, as the pH tries to rise, Carbonic Acid (on the left) will dissociate, first into Bicarbonate and one H+ ion (in the middle), or further into Carbonate and two H+ ions (on the right). Dissociate is just a Chemist’s way of saying, split up. As it dissociates towards the right, it releases, first one, then a second H+ ion. Since pH is the ratio between H+ and OH- ions, what is happening is that as the pH tries to rise, more and more H+ ions are released into the water. These will reduce the value of the pH back to what it was befo
