OXYGEN UPTAKE AND TRANSPORT IN THE PROSOBRANCH MOLLUSCBUSYCON CANALICULATUM(L.) II. INFLUENCE OF ACCLIMATION SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE

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Abstract
The O2 transport function of the blood in B. canaliculatum diminishes when either the temperature or the salinity is lowered. At low temperature, the O2 affinity of the hemocyanin sharply increases, and blood PO2 [partial pressure of O2] increases as well. The blood cannot deoxygenate at the tissues. At low salinity, O2 affinity does not appreciably change, but the loss of Ca+2 and Mg+2 from the blood reduces the cooperativity of hemocyanin-O2 binding, requiring a higher PO2 to achieve a given oxygenation state. The blood does not become as highly oxygenated at the gill, and total O2 uptake decreases.