ocean pH and atmostpheric CO2 are decoupled from carbonate mineral saturation state, which is dictated primarily by weathering. Actually, saturation is not entirely decoupled geologically from pH and CO2, as all things being equal, at high CO2, enhanced weathering requires higher carbonate burial and hence higher ocean saturation.
I'd appreciate it if anyone can help me understand this better. Thanks!
I'd appreciate it if anyone can help me understand this better. Thanks!
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You're trying to understand a passage that is very poorly written. No wonder you're having trouble.
The first sentence says that the pH of the oceans and the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere are independent of the amounts of carbonate minerals in the environment, and it notes that the carbonate is contributed mainly by the weathering of rocks.
The second sentence says that when CO2 concentrations are high, carbonate rocks can weather rapidly only when the CO2 is being removed rapidly from the oceans (as, for instance, by microorganisms with carbonate skeletons). This second sentence partially contradicts the first sentence, and the author makes note of that.
The first sentence says that the pH of the oceans and the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere are independent of the amounts of carbonate minerals in the environment, and it notes that the carbonate is contributed mainly by the weathering of rocks.
The second sentence says that when CO2 concentrations are high, carbonate rocks can weather rapidly only when the CO2 is being removed rapidly from the oceans (as, for instance, by microorganisms with carbonate skeletons). This second sentence partially contradicts the first sentence, and the author makes note of that.