In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group O=C(O-)2. The term is also used as a verb, to describe carbonation, the process of, raising the concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in water to produce carbonated water and other carbonated beverages — either by the addition carbon dioxide gas under pressure, or by disso… (More on Carbonate)