0.03 is the solubility of CO2 at 37 C (body temperature) in units of mM CO2 /mmHg pressure
Jake, a surfer-skier dude moves suddenly from low (Malibu, CA) to high altitude (Leadville, CO) for the winter skiing (and the new marijuana laws in Colorado). Upon arrival he is hyperventilating in response to the altitude. Your task this week is to calculate Jake's arterial pH immediately after arriving at high altitude.
Sea level normal values are: pH = 7.4, [HCO3-] = 24 mM, PCO2 = 40mmHg.
At altitude the hyperventilation reduces his arterial PCO2 to 30mmHg
a) What is his arterial pH (immediately upon arrival in Leadville)
b) He feels sick - is he suffering from acidosis or alkalosis?
c) After a few weeks at altitude his PCO2 is still 30 (people living at high altitude will hyperventilate chronically), he feels great and his pH is normal. What is his ([HCO3-] at that time?
d) As winter ends he heads back down immediately to Malibu (with a small package in his ski boot) to begin the surfing season. Upon arrival he feels ill once again. What is his pH?