Updating a gas dynamics model using estimates for California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Theoretical models are used to predict how breath-hold diving vertebrates manage O₂, CO₂, and N₂ while underwater. One recent gas dynamics model used available lung and tracheal compliance data from various species. As variation in respiratory compliance significantly affects alveolar compression and pulmonary shunt, the current study objective was to evaluate changes in model output when using species-specific parameters from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). We explored the effects of lung and dead space compliance on the uptake of N₂, O₂, and CO₂ in various tissues during a series of hypothetical dives. The updated parameters allowed for increased compliance of the lungs and an increased stiffness in the trachea. When comparing updated model output with a model using previous compliance values, there was a large decrease in N₂ uptake but little change in O₂ and CO₂ levels. Therefore, previous models may overestimate N₂ tensions and the risk of gas-related disease, such as decompression sickness (DCS), in marine mammals.

Duke Scholars

Author Andreas Fahlman Marine Science and Conservation