Carbonate Ion

A carbonate ion is a negatively charged particle made up of one carbon atom and three oxygen atoms, represented chemically as CO₃²⁻. It plays a crucial role in many natural processes, including the formation of rocks and minerals like limestone, and is important in biological systems, such as in the regulation of pH in blood. Carbonate ions are also significant in the context of environmental science, as they help in buffering solutions in oceans, thereby influencing marine life and ecosystems. Additionally, they are involved in the carbon cycle, which affects climate and weather patterns.