THE KINETICS OF CALCIUM-CARBONATE NUCLEAT ION IN SEAWATER - THE ROLE OF THE PHOSPHATES AND THE HYDRODYNAMICS OF MEDIUM

The homogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate was studied both in na tural and artificial seawater. The stirring of the solution dramatical ly decreases the induction period of the CaCO3 precipitation. The phos phate-ion and dissolved organic matter act as strong inhibitors. In na tural seawater the logarithm induction period time linearly depends on the logarithm supersaturation: lg tau = 8.2 - 4.58 lgOMEGA. It was sh own that the Mg2+ ions can not prevent the inorganic homogeneous preci pitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated surface oceanic wate rs unlikely the phosphate ion and the dissolved organic matter.