THE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF SEA WATER 569 



that they do not seem to influence the inorganic equilibria; for 

 instance, the ammonia complexes cannot compete with the 

 hydroxide or chloride complexes. 



Minor Constituents 



We have discussed the seventeen constituents that exist in more 

 than 0.01 mole in our equilibrium mixture: 1 liter of model ocean 

 water and its share of atmosphere and sediments. 



Table IV gives the negative logarithms of the number of moles 

 of each element in the sediments {n mole/liter sea water) and in 

 solution (c mole/liter) ; again, n is calculated from Goldschmidt's 

 estimates. An attempt has been made, for many elements, to state 

 which species is likely to be predominant in the solution, and which 

 solid phase, if any, is likely to determine its concentration. These 

 formulas are often rather uncertain, because of the limited amount 

 of data available; however, they have been set down as the best 

 guess the present author could make, and as a start for a discussion. 



Table IV begins with the major constituents; for them it 

 summarizes the results of the preceding section. The minor 

 constituents are then given in groups, in the order of decreasing 

 abundance; within each group, the order is that of increasing 

 atomic number. 



Let us suppose that all the minor elements are added at once to 

 our model ocean, as hydroxides, oxides, or chlorides, and discuss 

 the final equilibrium that will result. No attempt will be made at 

 a comprehensive treatment of the minor elements; certain general 

 points will be made, however, and the equilibria of a few elements 

 will be discussed in detail. 



Solid Solutions 



The naturally occurring solid phases are very seldom pure 

 substances but rather solid solutions, in which some elements have 

 been replaced to a greater or less extent by other elements that 

 would fit into the crystal structure. Notable examples are the 

 silicate phases already mentioned. In our model ocean equilibrium 

 mixture, most of the phases (with the possible exception of Si02) 

 will to an appreciable degree be solid solutions. 



