Video: Disproportionation of the hydrogen carbonate ion

The hydrogen carbonate ion is in equilibrium with the carbonate ion in a disproportionation reaction:

HCO3-(aq) + HCO3-(aq) ? CO32-(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(aq)

Calcium ion (small, high charge) forms insoluble calcium carbonate (high lattice energy as carbonate is high charge also). Thus addition of calcium ion consumes the carbonate ion and the equilibrium shifts right to replenish the carbonate ion. The process continues until almost all of the hydrogen carbonate ion has been consumed.

Ca2+(aq) + CO32-(aq) ® CaCO3(s)