2. Under acidic conditions, bicarbonate acts as a buffer in seawater by bonding to additional

ions, increasing the pH of the ocean.

O A. hydroxide

O B. carbonate

C. carbon dioxide

D. hydrogen

B.

Explanation:

The rise in the acids levels of the sea water is caused by the dissolve of CO2 in sea water which lowers the pH. The resultant unstable compound (weak acid) formed is H2CO3. The latter dissociates to for HCO3 + CO3 - These reversible products are the buffers in the seawater that resists the fluctuation in the pH. The carbonate ions reacts with the high concentrations of Ca + in the sea water, to form the exoskeleton s of some fauna. e. g., Mussels.