Element M is known to be toxic to plankton at concentrations of about 1 x 10^-9 mol/kg. Recent concentration measurements of this element M in Trout Lake indicate exactly this level. Dr. Lou Hiss, a biological oceanographer working as a consultant to GVRD, states that the lake is in imminent danger of all the plankton dying and proposes a massive cleanup. Because you are a graduate of Marine Chemistry, "Lorax Consulting Co." has hired you and Dr. Suess to predict if the plankton are in danger of dying. Dr. Suess is at a loss to come up with an alternative explanation and spends all day doodling. In your prediction make sure to include all the necessary equations and calculations.

Data:

Total concentrations of M, [M]_tot = 1 x 10^-9 mol/kg

M⁺² forms strong ion pairs with CO₃^2- but no other ion pairs

K_{ion pair} = 2.5 x 10^-5 mol/kg

Concentration of carbonate ion, [CO₃^2-] = 10^-3 mol/kg

CO₃^2- = _m = 0.5 MCO₃ = 1.13