Question

question 12
2 pts

1. which ions comprise about 85% of the solutes in seawater?

calcium and sulfate
sodium and chloride
calcium and carbonate
potassium and chloride
magnesium and sulfate

Explanation:

Seawater is a complex solution. Sodium ($Na^+$) and chloride ($Cl^-$) ions are the most abundant ions in seawater. Sodium chloride ($NaCl$) is the main salt in seawater. In terms of the proportion of solutes (salts dissolved in seawater), sodium and chloride ions together make up approximately 85% of the total solutes. Calcium ($Ca^{2+}$), sulfate ($SO_4^{2 - }$), carbonate ($CO_3^{2 - }$), potassium ($K^+$), and magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$) ions are also present but in much smaller quantities compared to sodium and chloride ions.

Answer:

sodium and chloride