BIO

I am a sophomore Biochemistry and Environmental Science major at FSU. I am interested in a career studying Astrobiology, the study of life in the universe.

Unveiling the Mysteries of Chemical Gardens: Bubble Formation and Gas Composition

Abstract

Chemical gardens are precipitate structures formed when a metal salt seed is placed into a sodium silicate solution. Often, the tube is guided by a bubble Our studies focus on analyzing the gas bubble’s composition through spectroscopy and optical analysis. The natural formation of chemical gardens can be seen in the deep ocean, an environment with ample dissolved CO2. The addition of the metal salt seed acidifies the basic sodium silicate solution, lowering the solubility of CO2, and forcing the gaseous CO2 out of the solution in the form of bubbles. Combining the silicate solution with a carbonate source can lead to a potential increase in total CO2 released during precipitation.

Keywords: chemistry, chemical gardens, chemobrionics