Carbonate Definition and Examples

In chemistry, a carbonate is an ion consisting of one carbon and three oxygen atoms or a compound that contains this species as its anion. The molecular formula for the carbonate ion is CO₃^2-.

Alternatively, the term may be used as a verb referring to the process of carbonation. In carbonation, the concentration of bicarbonate and carbonate ions in an aqueous solution is increased to yield carbonated water. Carbonation is performed by introducing pressurized carbon dioxide gas or by dissolving carbonate or bicarbonate salts.

In geology, carbonates include carbonate rock and minerals, which contain the carbonate ion. The most common is calcium carbonate, CaCO₃, which is found in limestone and dolomite.

Sources

• Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Carbonates." Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2005). Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2005). Cambridge (UK): RSC–IUPAC. ISBN 0-85404-438-8.