The water must be boiled to remove traces of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3): CO2 + H2O => H2CO3 H2CO3 is a weak acid and partially ionizes to give H+ ions: H2CO3 => H+ + HCO3- HCO3- => H+ + CO32- The H+ ions can decompose thiosulfate ions and reduce the concentration of sodium thiosulfate according to the reaction: 2 S2O32- + H+ => HSO3- + S Solution The water must be boiled to remove traces of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3): CO2 + H2O => H2CO3 H2CO3 is a weak acid and partially ionizes to give H+ ions: H2CO3 => H+ + HCO3- HCO3- => H+ + CO32- The H+ ions can decompose thiosulfate ions and reduce the concentration of sodium thiosulfate according to the reaction: 2 S2O32- + H+ => HSO3- + S.