MHT CET Medical202626 April 2026Morning ShiftBiologyEcosystemActual
Some amount of carbon dissolved into oceanic water remains as sediments of carbon in the sea in the form of __________ and is removed from circulation.
Options
- Acarbonates of Na and K
- Bcarbohydrate
- Ccarbonates of Ca and Mg
- Dcarbonic acid
Correct answer
C. carbonates of Ca and Mg
Step-by-step solution
Carbon dioxide dissolved in oceanic water reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into bicarbonate and carbonate ions. These carbonate ions react with calcium and magnesium ions present in seawater to form insoluble calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. These insoluble carbonates precipitate and settle at the bottom of the ocean, forming sedimentary rocks such as limestone and dolomite. This process effectively removes carbon from the active carbon cycle and stores it as sediments. Carbonate