[ale] Way OT: In case you missed this in the news... Climategate

[Tom Freeman]

On 05/12/2010 10:24:25 AM, Jim Kinney wrote:
<<snip>> 
> I did a bit more digging on the RedTide and I was wrong about the pH
> aspect
> (I'm scratching my head on how I made that link). Redtide is more
> associated
> with a temperature rise that any other measured factor. It is also
> associated with increased rainfall (which will have an effect on
> surface pH
> and salinity, etc as a dillution process). but the mineral salt
> content
> _should_ act as a pH buffer to some extent. Nonetheless, a 
> temperature
> rise
> in ocean surface _is_ one of those "we are very concerned" data 
> points
> that
> CC scientist discuss often. 
Jim

I will have to look up the various ion concentrations in sea water 
(common ranges really), but memory suggests that they are mostly alkali 
metal cations and halogen anions. Neither of these groups or ions is 
going to have an appreciable buffering effect. The only common 
inorganic ion I can think of at the moment which will have buffering 
effect is phosphate, which will frequently be precipitated out by many 
alkline earth cations and transition metal ions.

Sorry - forgot the bicarbonate ion, which will buffer in the pH 7 
region. I don't know concentrations however.



<<snip>>