State the importance of the solubility of CO 2 , and O 2 in water.

Solubility of CO 2 , and O 2 in water is important for the following reasons: 1. Marine life like fish use the oxygen of the air dissolved in water for respiration and thus aquatic life is sustained. 1 dm 3 (1 litre) of water contains 40 cm 3 of dissolved oxygen. 2. Aquatic plants make use of dissolved carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, i.e., to prepare their food. 6CO 2 + 12H 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 + 6H 2 O 3. Carbon dioxide dissolved in water reacts with limestone to form calcium bicarbonate. CaCO 3 + CO 2 + H 2 O Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 Marine organisms such as snails, oysters, etc., extract calcium carbonate from calcium bicarbonate to build their shells.