Carbonic acid is created when CO2 dissolves in water, appearing in sodas, champagne, blood, and rain. It helps keep the body’s pH stable and acts as a buffer. Bicarbonate ions accept or release hydrogen ions to maintain pH balance. Rainwater absorbs CO2, producing carbonic acid, which has a pH of around 5.5.
Carbonic acid is a weak acid that is created when carbon dioxide (CO2) is dissolved in water (H2O), resulting in the chemical formula H2CO3. When the acid dissociates or gives off a hydrogen ion, the resulting molecule is called a bicarbonate ion. Carbonic acid appears frequently in the natural world. It can be found in sodas, champagne and blood. Acid also appears in the rain.
During the production of soda, carbon dioxide is dissolved in water. As stated, this process also creates carbonic acid. This acid, along with phosphoric acid and other acids, provides the sour taste of many soft drinks. It also provides a slight burning sensation that a person experiences when ingesting a carbonated drink. Therefore, it is the acid that makes carbonated drinks fizzy.
Carbonic acid plays an important role in keeping the pH of the body stable. The normal pH of body fluids is around 7.4 and must be kept close to this value for the body to function properly. If the pH changes, either up or down, enzymes can stop working, muscles and nerves can begin to weaken, and metabolic activities become impaired. The bicarbonate ion released by the acid acts as a buffer that helps resist changes in pH. This means that it can act as an acid or a base should the need arise.
Acids are defined as any substance that releases hydrogen ions in solutions. Bases are substances that accept those hydrogen ions. As excess hydrogen ions build up in the body, i.e. fluids become more acidic, bicarbonate ions accept those extra hydrogen ions and keep the body’s pH at a normal level. Conversely, if the levels of hydrogen ions drop too much, i.e. the fluids become too alkaline, the carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions to keep the blood pH normal. This process is also observed during the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Carbonic acid also appears as a regular occurrence in the rain. When rainwater falls into the air, it absorbs carbon dioxide, producing carbonic acid. So when it reaches the ground, it has a pH of around 5.5. This is not to be confused with acid rain which occurs when emissions, such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, from burning fossil fuels rise into the air. When rain falls, it absorbs these components, producing acids that can drop the pH of rain by as much as two.
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