Fig. 1. A pH–HCO₃^– Davenport diagram describing (black symbols) the blood acid–base status of eels exposed for at least 6 weeks to water CO₂ partial pressures (Pw_CO2) of approx. 0.8 mmHg (ambient control), 15±1 mmHg, 30±1 mmHg or 45±1 mmHg (1 mmHg=approx. 0.01316 kPa). Pa_CO2 levels are equilibrated at approximately 2 mmHg above Pw_CO2 in each group (see text). The diagram also carries data (white symbols) replotted from McKenzie et al. (2002) describing blood acid–base status following acute sequential 30 min exposures to Pw_CO2 levels of 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mmHg. The dashed line indicates the in vitro whole blood non-HCO₃^– buffer line for A. rostrata provided by Hyde et al. (1987). Values are means ± S.E.M., N=5–7 determinations.

Return to article