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Journal of Experimental Biology 126,499-512 (1986)
Published by Company of Biologists 1986

Downstream pH Changes in Water Flowing Over the Gills of Rainbow Trout

PATRICIA WRIGHT 1, TOM HEMING 2, and DAVID RANDALL 1

1 Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A9, Canada
2 Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A9, Canada; Alberta Environmental Centre, Bag 4000, Vegreville, Alberta, TOB 4L0, Canada

We investigated the pH of interlamellar water of trout (Salmo gairdneri) by following changes in the downstream pH of expired water using a stopped-flow method. As water flowed over the gills of control fish, there was a significant decrease in water pH. Acetazolamide added to the water increased the CO2 disequilibrium, while carbonic anhydrase (CA) eliminated the CO2 disequilibrium relative to control water. Mucus excreted by the fish was found to contain CA activity by the pH-stat technique. We conclude water acidification is due to the conversion of excreted CO2 to HCO3- and H+ at the gill surface.

Key words: pH, carbonic anhydrase, CO2 disequilibrium

Accepted on June 24, 1986






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1986