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Re: population growth & physics ed



I think there is a mistake in the idea that The amount of CO2
in the air has no effect on the amount in the ocean. Any change in the
concentration in either resevoir, will effect the equillibruim in that
more CO2 molecules form the air are available to dissolve into the water
than are available in the water to undissolve back to the air if the CO2
concentration in the air is suddenly increased.

The concentration of CO2 in the oceans is likely pretty near constant at
saturation, though I am unaware of any measurements. The atmospheric CO2
with which it is in contact is in excess of the value needed to saturate
the oceans, and they have been in contact for what amounts to a long
time. Of course CO2 precipitates* out of the oceans as insoluble
carbonates about as fast as it is absorbed.

Leigh

*This precipitation is mediated in large part by the marine biota.