Low-Pressure Solubility of Gases in Liquid Water

Aqueous solutions of gases reveal many peculiarities generally not observed in other liquids. For example, most gaseous solutes show a partial molar entropy and enthalpy of solution that are substantially lower than for other solvents, and the partial molar heat capacity is anomalously large. All these phenomena (and several other properties of aqueous solutions) have made water a particularly interesting liquid for studies in gas solubility. Furthermore, since water forms the basis of all biologically important systems, it is unique and thus deserves special attention. Indeed, the solubility of gases in this liquid has been the subject of innumerable investigations. Experimental data are so abundant, that in our preceding review on gas solubility, water was deliberately omitted.