Carbon dioxide:
When as Carbon Dioxide a limiting factor?
Carbon dioxide is a poisonous gas to most animals. B. Levels of 30 ppm (parts per million) are
harmful to most organisms. C. Levels greater then 35 ppm are considered limiting to all aquatic
organisms. D. The chart below shows the Average Carbon Dioxide Amounts at a good freshwater
pond. E. As shown in the chart below, the amounts of carbon dioxide that are available to plants
changes during the day. It also changes during this time if the pH changes. F. The next chart below
that is showing the Tolerance of Different Organisms to carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is highly soluble in water. The source of free carbon dioxide in water is seldom that from the air
phase because CO2 is a product of aerobic and anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and it is intimately
bound in the complex carbonate equilibria (see bicarbonates and carbonates).
The dissolved carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid. CO2 + H2O {;} H2CO3 which in turn
disassociates to H2CO3 §;} H+ + HCO3- such that [H+][HCO3-]/[H2CO3] = 3.5 x 10’7 at 18°, thus at pH 8, the
ratio of carbonic acid to bicarbonate ions is only 0.286, but at pH 7 it is 0.86 and at pH 6 it is 2.86. Below pH 4.3
almost all the bicarbonate is converted to carbonic acid. Carbonic acid can be toxic even at pH values that are
not in themselves harmful. Hence, pH is not a reliable index of dangerous CO2 pollution.
Free carbon dioxide in domestic water is of no significance because it appears to have no direct physiological
effect. In fact, soft drinks and beer are highly charged with CO2.
The concentrations of dissolved CO2 and carbonic acid in water have a marked effect on fish. In their migration,
fish tend to respond to slight gradients of carbon dioxide tension and to avoid concentrations of 1 to 6 mg/L.
It is doubtful if any fresh water fish can continue to live throughout the year in water with an average CO2 content
as high as 12 mg/L. Concentrations of 20 mg/L will quickly prove fatal to the more sensitive species. For
example, the lethal limit for trout has been reported as 45 mg/L.
Free carbon dioxide in excess of 20 mg/L may be harmful to fish in normal fresh water, but when the dissolved
oxygen content drops to 3 to 5 mg/L, lower CO2 concentrations may be detrimental.
The presence of carbon dioxide may at times have beneficial effects for fish because CO2 lowers the pH On the
other hand, lowering the pH would increase the toxicity of cyanides.
The sensitivity of fish to carbon dioxide appears to decrease directly with the increase in temperature.
In U.S. waters that support good fish fauna, ordinarily 5% have less than 0.1 mg/L, 50% have less than 1.5 mg/L,
and 95% have less than 5 mg/L of free carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in water supplies in the form of a dissolved gas. Typically, surface
waters contain less than 10 ppm free carbon dioxide while ground waters may have much higher
concentrations. Dissolved in water, CO2 forms carbonic acid which lowers pH.
Aquatic plant life, from phytoplankton to large rooted plants, depends upon carbon dioxide and
bicarbonates in water for growth. Of significance for fish is the fact that when the oxygen
concentration falls (e.g. through the degradation of organic wastes), the carbon dioxide concentration
rises. This increase in carbon dioxide makes it more difficult for fish to use the limited amount of
oxygen present. To take in fresh oxygen, fish must first discharge the CO2 in their blood stream, a
process which is slowed down considerably when there are high concentrations of CO2 in the water
itself. Unfortunately the CHEMetrics test kits do not measure below 10 mg/L, so if you get a reading
on this test, you know your water body is in trouble.
The acceptable range of carbon dioxide for most finfish is <2.0 mg/L (ppm).
Carbon Dioxide is present in water in the form of a dissolved gas. Surface waters normally contain less than 10
ppm free carbon dioxide, while some ground waters may easily exceed that concentration. Carbon dioxide is
readily soluble in water. Over the ordinary temperature range (0-30 C) the solubility is about 200 times that of
oxygen. Calcium and magnesium combine with carbon dioxide to form carbonates and bicarbonates.
Aquatic plant life depends upon carbon dioxide and bicarbonates in water for growth. Microscopic plant life
suspended in the water, phytoplankton, as well as large rooted plants, utilize carbon dioxide in the
photosynthesis of plant materials; starches, sugars, oils, proteins. The carbon in all these materials comes from
the carbon dioxide in water.
When the oxygen concentration in waters containing organic matter is reduced, the carbon dioxide concentration
rises. The rise in carbon dioxide makes it more difficult for fish to use the limited amount of oxygen present. To
take on fresh oxygen, fish must first discharge the carbon dioxide in their blood streams and this is a much slower
process when there are high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water itself.
Almost all natural waters contain some carbon dioxide which they gain in several ways.
Carbon dioxide gas (CO) is present in the air to the extent of 0.03 percent by volume
and 0.05 percent by weight. As rain falls through the air, it absorbs some of this gas.
On reaching the earth, the rainwater now slightly acid will absorb additional amounts of
carbon dioxide if it flows through decaying vegetation. At the same time, the carbon
dioxide becomes carbonic acid. If the water now passes through limestone formations,
its carbonic acid content will react with the limestone to form soluble calcium
bicarbonate. In this process the carbonic acid is partially neutralized.
On the other hand, if water passes through rock formations, such as granite, no such
reaction occurs. The carbonic acid is not neutralized. It continues as carbonic acid until
drawn to the surface where it can then cause corrosion if not neutralized.
If nature or chemical agents do not neutralize carbonic acid, it will cause corrosion of
both copper and galvanized plumbing systems . In those parts of the country where the
problem is prevalent it is serious, for it can lead to serious damaging of plumbing
equipment. Carbon dioxide, together with carbonic acid, is primarily a problem in water
containing relatively low concentrations of minerals. In such water there are not
sufficient alkaline salts to buffer the effect of the carbonic acid.
The simplest method for removal of carbonic acid is to pass the water through a tank
containing limestone chips. A neutralizing filter of this type affects the carbonic acid just
as does the underground limestone formation. The limestone in the filter reacts with the
carbonic acid to produce calcium bicarbonate. In the same way, lesser amounts of
magnesium bicarbonate are formed. Note: Not all forms of limestone are suitable for this
purpose. Excessively soft material may break down to form a solid mass and block the
filter. The best types are hard, strong granules which retain their physical structure,
even as they are dissolved.
Another type of material used in this neutralizing process is magnesium oxide. Although
this procedure does add hardness and alkaline salts to the water, it effectively
neutralizes a considerable amount of carbonic acid at a relatively low cost.
Where high carbon dioxide concentrations are encountered, a solution of soda ash
sodium carbonate (Na2C03) may be fed into the water. The carbonic acid and the
sodium carbonate react directly to form sodium bicarbonate. This method of treatment
offers the advantage of not adding hardness to the water. Also, it is especially effective
where it is necessary to remove carbonic acid from large volumes of water. This method,
as we have seen, has the disadvantage of requiring more attention in the preparation
and maintenance of proper feeds.
Where water is obtained from a private well, a small positive displacement pump can be
used to feed the soda ash solution into the water. Normally such pumps are wired to act
in conjunction with the operation of the well pump. This permits the proportioning of the
solution with a good degree of accuracy.
Where a private water system is not used to draw water to the household lines, some
other type of feeding device is necessary. However, the design of such devices is limited
only by the ingenuity of pump manufacturers and installation personnel.
It is important to feed soda ash solutions into the water in advance of some type of tank
or mixing device. This is necessary to provide for reasonably consistent concentrations in
the water to be treated. The type of pressure tank utilized in connection with most
private water systems is adequate for this purpose.
