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Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #247
In the ocean, is there typically more inorganic carbon or organic carbon?
For purposes of the question, we consider the following to be the sources.
Inorganic carbon: carbonic acid, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, carbonate
Organic carbon: nearly all other forms of carbon, including small dissolved organics such as acetate and ethanol, large dissolved biomaterials such as proteins, and particulate organic matter, including whole bacteria, viruses, etc.
A. There is more inorganic carbon
B. There is more organic carbon
C. The values are close enough that the answer varies by location
D. I can't tell because there is a walrus poop in my sample, interfering with testing
In the ocean, is there typically more inorganic carbon or organic carbon?
For purposes of the question, we consider the following to be the sources.
Inorganic carbon: carbonic acid, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, carbonate
Organic carbon: nearly all other forms of carbon, including small dissolved organics such as acetate and ethanol, large dissolved biomaterials such as proteins, and particulate organic matter, including whole bacteria, viruses, etc.
A. There is more inorganic carbon
B. There is more organic carbon
C. The values are close enough that the answer varies by location
D. I can't tell because there is a walrus poop in my sample, interfering with testing