Carbon dioxide transport and acid-base regulation in the blood of the beach-hopperOrchestia gammarellus(Pallas) (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

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Abstract
The carbon dioxide transporting properties of the blood of the arnphipod, Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas) have been characterized. The results ofa preliminary study ofthe effect ofemersion on the acidbase balance of the blood of O. gammarellus at 15°C are also presented. The pH of the blood of 0. gammarelluswhich had been emersed for 24 h did not change but there was a significant increase in the bicarbonate concentration of the blood from 4.64 to 7.56 mmol·q1-1. This increase was not so pronounced if the amphipods were allowed access to small standing bodies ofwater. The concentrations of the major ions and of protein and lactate in the blood were not affected by emersion. The acid-base disturbances measured in situ for the blood of a eulittoral population of O. gammarellus were more readily attributable to temperature than emersion per se.