Karbonaatsete

Karbonaatsete is a term used in geology and chemistry to refer to compounds containing the carbonate ion, which has the chemical formula CO3^2-. This ion is a polyatomic anion consisting of a central carbon atom covalently bonded to three oxygen atoms. The carbonate ion is planar and has a resonance structure where the negative charge is delocalized across the oxygen atoms.

Carbonate compounds are very common in the Earth's crust. They are the primary constituents of many rocks, such as limestone, marble, and chalk, which are formed from the accumulation of shells and skeletons of marine organisms over geological time. Sedimentary rocks rich in carbonates are significant reservoirs of carbon.

In a broader sense, "karbonaatsete" can also refer to processes involving the formation or breakdown of carbonate minerals. For instance, the weathering of carbonate rocks is a slow process that releases calcium and bicarbonate ions into water, contributing to the alkalinity of natural waters and influencing geological cycles. Conversely, the precipitation of carbonate minerals from solution is responsible for the formation of many geological deposits. The term also applies to various chemical reactions, including those in industrial processes and biological systems, where carbonate ions play a role.