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Partial pressures
Partial pressure (pp) = the pressure exerted by a
particular gas in a mixture of gases
e.g. Usually air contains 21% O2 and, at sea level,
atmospheric pressure = 760 mmHg = 101 kPa
hence, pO2 = 0.21 x 760 = 160 mmHg = 21.2 kPa
Partial pressure applies to liquids (Henry’s Law)
solubility of gas in liquid is directly proportional to pp
of that gas in equilibrium with the liquid (e.g. 4‐8 mL
O2 / L of marine and freshwater environments)
Gases diffuse from regions of high partial
pressure to regions of low partial pressure
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