Karbonatoituminen

Karbonatoituminen, also known as carbonation, is a chemical process involving the reaction of carbon dioxide with another chemical compound. In geology, it refers to the reaction of carbon dioxide with minerals, particularly those containing calcium or magnesium, to form carbonates. This process is a key part of the Earth's carbon cycle. For example, when rainwater containing dissolved carbon dioxide comes into contact with rocks like limestone (calcium carbonate) or dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate), it can lead to their dissolution and the formation of new carbonate minerals. This geological carbonation is a slow but significant process that helps to regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over geological timescales.

In industrial contexts, carbonation is often used deliberately. For instance, in the production of cement, carbon dioxide is incorporated into the calcium-rich clinker. In the food and beverage industry, carbonation is the process of dissolving carbon dioxide gas into liquids, such as water, soda, beer, and champagne, to create fizziness. This is achieved by increasing the pressure of carbon dioxide above the liquid. When the container is opened, the pressure drops, and the dissolved carbon dioxide escapes as bubbles. This process is also used in some methods of carbon capture and storage, where carbon dioxide is reacted with certain materials to form stable carbonate minerals, effectively sequestering the greenhouse gas.