Dissolved CO 2 system in sea water. Reactions involving dissolved CO 2 species buffers oceans against sudden changes in acidity. The dissolved CO2 system is a powerful pH buffer. Reactions involving dissolved CO 2 species buffers the atmosphere-ocean system against rapid changes in CO 2 content. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation over past 150 years has increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere from 280 ppm to 360 ppm.
Neutralization allows more atm.
CO2 to dissolve. Respiration of CO 2 in the deep ocean controls CaCO 3 saturation and thus the distribution of calcareous sediments. As a result, deep waters are undersaturated in CaCO3. In other words, CaCO3 dissolves.