Karboonaatseid

Karboonaatseid is the Latvian word for carbonates, which are chemical compounds containing the carbonate ion, a polyatomic anion with the formula CO2−3. This ion consists of one carbon atom covalently bonded to three oxygen atoms, with the overall negative charge distributed among the atoms through resonance. Carbonates are a large and diverse group of minerals, with calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO3) being the most common. Other well-known carbonate minerals include aragonite, dolomite, and siderite.

These compounds are found in a wide variety of geological formations, including sedimentary rocks like limestone and marble, as well as in shells and skeletons of marine organisms. The formation of carbonate rocks is often a biogenic process, where living organisms precipitate calcium carbonate from seawater. Carbonates play a crucial role in Earth's carbon cycle, acting as a sink and source of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

In chemistry, carbonates are the salts or esters of carbonic acid. They react with acids to release carbon dioxide gas, a characteristic reaction often used in qualitative analysis. Industrially, calcium carbonate is a significant raw material used in cement production, as a filler in plastics and paints, and in agriculture to neutralize acidic soils. Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, is vital for glass manufacturing and as a cleaning agent. The term "karboonaatseid" in Latvian directly translates to these chemical entities and their associated applications and occurrences.