Speciation of ions

Speciation ( speciation based on the engl., Or chemical speciation ) in chemistry either a) the process (that is, the emergence of ) chemical manifestations of a substance as a result of an autogenous reaction equilibrium or b ) the achieved equilibrium state itself (overview of the chemical species present ). The preferred term in the German speciation given in English avoids the confusion with the notion of speciation has long been introduced for biological speciation.

Explanation and examples

The chemical forms formed through the process of speciation called species. Here are three examples:

• Organic acids typically occur as a function of pH according to a given percentage in a dissociated state ( -COO- ) and an undissociated state ( -COOH).
• Water is always in a different molecular form, ie except in the middle pH ranges far predominant form H2O as OH - or H3O .
• Oxygen occurs as a result of each UV exposure as two - and three-atom molecule (O2, O3) on, or as radical or as an ion.

Meaning of Ecology, Physiology and Medicine

Speciation is an important basis for the availability of plant nutrients in the soil, in the form of administration of drugs and toxic substances in the toxicity towards humans, animals and plants. Depending on the local environmental conditions in soil, water or in the gastrointestinal tract ( pH, redox potential, chelating agents and other interacting agents) can drastically change the speciation and thus the absorbability and responsiveness of a substance.