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RE: White stuff on bell



> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 01:08:28 -0500 (EST)
> From: TYELLA at aol_com
> 
>       This may be "marl".   As CO-2 is removed from equilibrium calcium
> carbonate may precipitate, often on the surfaces of the plants which remove
> the CO-2 from equilibrium.  In this case the plant may be some sort of
> filamentous algae that has attached itself to the bell.

The term for what you are describing is "biogenic decalcification".
When there is too little CO2, plants may remove carbon from the water
by breaking down bicarbonate ions. The effect is to raise the pH. Vals
and Elodea are famous for this.

George