Calcium Carbonate Dissolution from the Laboratory to the Ocean: Kinetics and Mechanism

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2022-12, Vol.28 (68), p.e202202290-n/a
• Main Authors: Batchelor‐McAuley, Christopher, Yang, Minjun, Rickaby, Rosalind E. M., Compton, Richard G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcite; calcite compensation; Calcium Carbonate; Carbon dioxide; carbonate chemistry; Chemistry; Dissolution; heterogeneous reaction; mass-transport; Ocean models; Oceans; pH buffer; Review; Reviews
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202290

The ultimate fate, over the course of millennia, of nearly all of the carbon dioxide formed by humankind is for it to react with calcium carbonate in the world's oceans. Although, this reaction is of global relevance, aspects of the calcite dissolution reaction remain poorly described with apparent contradictions present throughout the expansive literature. In this perspective we aim to evidence how a lack of appreciation of the role of mass‐transport may have hampered developments in this area. These insights have important implications for both idealised experiments performed under laboratory conditions and for the measurement and modelling of oceanic calcite sediment dissolution. Carbonate chemistry: Although calcite dissolution has been extensively studied there appears to be a problem; apparent contradictions, discrepancies between laboratories and inconsistencies with field measurements seemingly pervade the literature. This review highlights how – in some circumstances – a lack of appreciation of the role of mass‐transport may have hindered development.