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An overall equation for the first ionization equilibrium of carbonic acid

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Summary

This article deals with the equilibrium of carbonic acid in sodiumbicarbonate solutions and in the body fluids to be considered as such: cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma. The main problem is how to choose an equation for the 1 st ionization equilibrium of carbonic acid.

The thermodynamic theory of equilibrium is given clearly distinguishing a true constant\(\bar K\) (product of activities) and the practical coefficientsK (product of concentrations) andK' (product of activities and concentrations). By virtue of this theory it is shown that the 1st ionization equilibrium of carbonic acid in the solutions above-mentioned may best be described by the overall 1st ionization equation as related to the CO2 in the gas phase—the modified Henderson-Hasselbalch equation—:

$$pH = pK'_{lg} - \log P_{CO_2 } + \log {\text{ [HCO}}_{\text{3}} ^ - ].$$

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Lung Diseases, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. H. J. Maas, B. F. Visser, A. M. van Leeuwen & J. Th. G. Overbeek

  2. Lung Function Laboratory, Binnengasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. H. J. Maas, B. F. Visser, A. M. van Leeuwen & J. Th. G. Overbeek

  3. Van 't Hoff Laboratory, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    A. H. J. Maas, B. F. Visser, A. M. van Leeuwen & J. Th. G. Overbeek

  4. Kliniek voor Hart-en Vaatziektenchirurgie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Catharijnesingel 101, Utrecht, (Holland)

    A. H. J. Maas

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  1. A. H. J. Maas
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  2. B. F. Visser
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  3. A. M. van Leeuwen
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  4. J. Th. G. Overbeek
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Maas, A.H.J., Visser, B.F., van Leeuwen, A.M. et al. An overall equation for the first ionization equilibrium of carbonic acid. Pflugers Arch. 304, 20–29 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00586715

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00586715

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