Question

What is the charge on the polyatomic ion hydrogen carbonate?

Answer 1

We got `HCO_3^-`, i.e. the conjugate base of carbonic acid, `H_2CO_3`...

Explanation:

And bicarbonate ion has a Lewis structure of...`(O=)C(OH)(O^-)`

`H_2CO_3` might be better represented as `CO_2*H_2O`, i.e. dissolved carbon dioxide...the presence of greater concentrations of carbonic acid in the world's oceans might mean a drop in mean ocean `pH`...tho I haven't seen good data to support this phenomenon.

What general effect do you think a drop in `pH` would have on the ocean's coral reefs, the which are insoluble `CaCO_3(s)` to a first approx....??