ScienceAugust 25, 2026

bicarbonate

by-KAR-buh-nit

Definition

A chemical compound containing the HCO3- ion, often found dissolved in water systems or as a result of carbon dioxide interaction with marine environments.

Etymology

The word is a chemical combination of the prefix 'bi-' (meaning two or twice) and 'carbonate,' which itself derives from the Latin 'carbo,' meaning coal or charcoal.

In the news

The article uses the word to illustrate how carbon cycles through the planet's systems, specifically describing how carbon dioxide can be dissolved into seawater in the form of bicarbonate.

NASA Selects Caltech to Operate the Orbiting Carbon Observatories

Read the full article ↗

Pasadena Now

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