3. Carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). The latter rapidly breaks down into ____________________ and bicarbonate ions (HCO3–), and the bicarbonate ions further break down into H+ and CO3-2 ions. More H+ ions make seawater more acidic, but scientists do not think the seas will become truly acidic (with a pH less than 7.0), but rather less _________________.

Question

3.	Carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). The latter rapidly breaks down into ____________________ and bicarbonate ions (HCO3–), and the bicarbonate ions further break down into H+ and CO3-2 ions. More H+ ions make seawater more acidic, but scientists do not think the seas will become truly acidic (with a pH less than 7.0), but rather less _________________.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

Carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). The latter rapidly breaks down into **hydrogen ions (H+)** and bicarbonate ions (HCO3–), and the bicarbonate ions further break down into H+ and carbonate ions (CO3^2-). More H+ ions make seawater more acidic, but scientists do not think the seas will become truly acidic (with a pH less than 7.0), but rather less **alkaline**.