CARBONIC ACID 



135 



tons for the whole earth. 1 In the ocean the 

 amount of carbonic acid is about 0.1 gram per 

 liter, or approximately 0.01 per cent by 

 weight. Here, however, much the larger 

 part is in chemical union with bases, chiefly 

 in the form of bicarbonates. 2 



There can be no doubt that the physical 

 properties of carbon dioxide are less important 

 to the living organism than are those of water. 

 But indeed the characteristics of water so 

 largely determine the nature of the environ- 



1 The composition of dry air is as follows : — 



Nitrogen . . 

 Oxygen . . 

 Argon . . . 

 Carbon dioxide 



Nitrogen . . 

 Oxygen . . 

 Argon . . . 

 Carbon dioxide 



Per Cubic Meter 



Per Kilogram 



Weight in Grama 



Volume in 

 Liters 



2 See below in the discussion of the alkalinity of the ocean. 



