Total inorganic carbon

  The total inorganic carbon (C_T, or TIC) or Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is the sum of carbonate anion. It is customary to express carbon dioxide and carbonic acid simultaneously as CO₂* . C_T is an important parameter when making measurements related to the pH of natural aqueous systems, and carbon dioxide flux estimates.

C_T = [CO₂*] + [HCO₃⁻] + [CO₃²⁻]