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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Biodegradation is not relevant because potassium hydrogencarbonate is an inorganic substance.

Additional information

Abiotic degradation

High water solubility and very low vapour pressure indicate that potassium hydrogencarbonate will be found predominantly in the aquatic environment. In water, potassium hydrogencarbonate dissociates completely to K+ and inorganic carbon species. Both potassium and inorganic carbon are ubiquitously present in the environment. The concentrations of CO2, HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) in aquatic ecosystems according to the following equations:

CO2(solv) + H2O (<=> H2CO3(solv)) <=> HCO3(-)+ H(+) (pKa 1 = 6.35)

HCO3(-)<=> CO3(2 -)+ H(+) (pKa 2 = 10.33).

CO2 is the predominant species at pH values below 6.35, while HCO3(-) is the predominant species at a pH in the range between 6.35 and 10.33 and CO3(2-) is the predominant species at pH values above 10.33.

In the majority of the natural waters, pH levels are between 6 and 10. Thus HCO3(-) (pKa= 10.33) is the most important species for the buffer capacity. Atmospheric emissions as aerosols are rapidly neutralized by carbondioxide as occurs with other bases and the salts will be washed out by rain.

 

Biotic degradation

Biodegradation is not relevant because potassium carbonate is an inorganic substance.