The chemical formula of the carbonate ion is CO32−.
This ion is made up of one carbon atom (C) and three oxygen atoms (O). The notation 3 indicates that there are three oxygen atoms, while 2− shows that the ion carries a charge of negative two.
Carbonate is commonly found in nature, often in the form of minerals such as calcite and aragonite, which are both primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It plays a crucial role in the geological carbon cycle and is important in biological systems as well.