A pressure- and temperature-independent property of seawater that determines in part the carbon content of seawater. Carbonate alkalinity is the sum of the concen- tration of bicarbonate plus two times the concentration of the carbonate ions. Total alkalinity is the amount of acid required to bring seawater to a pH at which all dis- solved inorganic carbon becomes freely exchangeable. The alkalinity of the oceans is determined with potentiometric or normal titration techniques that detect and measure the presence of bicarbonate, carbonate, and borate ions.
Concentration of alkali metals that form salts (e.g. Li, Na, K). High alkalinity raises pH and precipitates metals out of solution and is often associated with limestone substrates.