Carbon dioxide is an important chemical compound

for the earth and life on earth.

Occurrence of CO

2 :

- in the air

as a gas

- in water - dissolved as a gas - as carbonic acid Hydrogencarbonat-Ion Carbonat-Ion - in rock as carbonate

CO 2 forms the link between the material world and the living world, between inorganic and organic, between stone and plant

= Anhydride of carbonic acid

Carbon(IV) oxide Carbonic acid gas

Carbon dioxide Dioxomethane

Equivalent designations

Importance of CO2

The Importance of carbon dioxide for the earth and humans

CO

2

• is building block for life through conversion into organic matter • is the main nutrient for plants, both on land and in water • is part of the carbon cycle • influences the climate as a greenhouse gas • is involved in the earth's crust in the form of carbonates as mineral formers • promotes weathering as a water constituent • significantly influences the properties of a water • is often a problem for drinking water quality • often makes water treatment necessary • is the engine for cold water geysers • can cause death at high concentrations in the air

Figure: Occurrence of CO 2

CO

2

Figure: CO 2 as a link between the inorganic and organic worlds