No, potassium bicarbonate—which is potassium acid carbonate—is not baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). However, potassium bicarbonate can be used as a low-sodium alternative to baking soda.

When CO 2 dissolves in water, it can react to form carbonic acid, which, through further reactions, can then become bicarbonate and carbonate. This reaction can also run in reverse, which means ...

A hydrogen atom from the carbonic acid bonds to the carbonate ion in ocean water and creates a bicarbonate ion (HCO-3) which the shell-making organisms can’t use.