One of the buffers that contributes to pH stability in human blood is carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that, when placed in an aqueous solution, dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO₃⁻)and a hydrogen ion (H⁺). Thus, H₂CO₃ ↔ HCO₃⁻ + H⁺ If the pH of the blood increases, one would expect

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If the pH of blood increases, it becomes more basic (alkaline) and there is an excess of OH⁻ ions. The carbonate buffer system works to neutralize this increase in OH⁻ ions by combining with them to form bicarbonate ions, and thus reducing the excess of OH⁻ ions. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in H⁺ ions concentration by forming HCO₃⁻ ion. Therefore, the concentration of H₂CO₃ will decrease and the concentration of HCO₃⁻ will increase.

One of the Buffers That Contributes to PH Stability in Human