CO2

EXTRACTION

Production
Natural volcanic CO₂ sources
Combustion of fossil fuels
Hydrogen production in refineries
etc.

Physics

With a density of 1.977 kg/m³ under standard conditions (1013 mbar, 0 °C), CO₂ is around 1.5 times heavier than air and can therefore displace it when it escapes into deeper areas.

There is therefore a risk of suffocation from the colourless and odourless gas.

CHEMISTRY

CO₂ is used in the beverage industry, but also to neutralise alkaline waste water.

As the resulting carbonates are strong buffers and the carbonic acid is only a weak acid, largely neutral waste water is produced without complex controls. Due to its non-toxicity and environmental friendliness, CO₂ is therefore well suited for such tasks.

PHYSIOLOGY

Due to its high density, escaping carbon dioxide can displace the air, especially near the ground, and therefore reach concentrations that can lead to breathing difficulties and subsequently to unconsciousness and even death from suffocation.

This already occurs with a proportion of 7 - 10 % in the air.

TRANSPORT

Only the transport form of the pressurised gas cylinder is interesting for aquaristics. Liquid CO₂ and dry ice are probably unsuitable for aquaristic purposes and are also oversized.

ENVIRONMENT

CO₂ in the air is one of the foundations of life on earth. The only problem is the rapid increase in this trace gas since the beginning of industrialisation.

DATA

All important properties of CO₂ in tabular form.

AQUARISTICS

Carbon dioxide