A groundwater sample is taken from a geologic formation containing various carbonate minerals (e.g., CaCO3, MgCO3, CaCO3•MgCO3, etc.) without exposing the water sample to the atmosphere. Analysis of the sample indicates that CT,CO3 is 10-3 M, the pH is 7.6, and there are no other weak acids or weak bases in the sample.
(a) What is the ANC of this water?
(b) This groundwater sample (no solids present) is then brought into equilibrium with the atmosphere (PCO2 = 10-3.5 atm). Develop an equation that will allow you to determine the pH of this water. Solve for the pH. Ignore complexes and activity corrections.