364 



The influence of dikilion as well as the temperature is now 

 easily understood. Dilution will disturb the equilibrium, because 

 a decreases whereas d is slightly increased, and hence a 

 number of molecules must pass from the state of normal to 

 bicarbonate. A rise in the temperature, on the other hand, 

 diminishes the coefficient of absorption and thereby lessens ^, 

 whereas a remains unaltered. The result is that a number of 

 molecules must pass from bicarbonate to normal carbonate ^). 



Through the experiments of Hamberg it has been estab- 

 lished as a fact that there exists a definite relation between 

 the alkalinity, the total amount of carbonic acid, the temperature 

 und the COg-tension of seawater. Any one of these quantities 

 is wholly defined by the other three. It is, however, impos- 

 sible to calculate anything with accuracy from Hambergs tables, 

 because his experiments are too few in number and because 

 he has in all of them maintained a constant tension of 2.7. 



If in the same sample of water and at a constant tempe- 

 rature a series of COg-tensions are produced and accurately 



') I have altered all the figures in Bambergs table from grms. to cubic- 

 centimeters. 



■■') Hamberg rightly supposed that a rise in the temperature has, likewise, 

 a diminishing influence upon the at'ünity between the alkali and the 

 carbonic acid. 



