5. (10 pts) Mg2+ and Ca2+ are the most abundant cations in salt water. Mg2+ is more abundant than Ca2+. Given this infor
Posted: Tue May 17, 2022 6:52 am
5. (10 pts) Mg2+ and Ca2+ are the most abundant cations in salt water. Mg2+ is more abundant than Ca2+. Given this information, why don't marine organisms make shells out of solid MgCO3? In your argument, calculate and use AG, for the pertinent minerals as well as K and Q values. Everything you need is given in the Appendix B Table except for the following: MgCO3 = Mg2+ +CO32 CaCO3 = Ca2+ + CO2 Activities of cations in salt water: Mg2+ = 0.017 Ca2+ = 0.0025 CO32- = 5.4x10-6