Wow ruki, quite a lenghty response. One of the primary reasons that I enjoy planted tanks is that there is ample subject material for thought. It's nice to stretch one's brain once in a while. It's probably pretty obvious to most people on this board that I sometimes stretch mine a bit too far, hehe.
I am wondering about what you mean by this statement though:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by ruki Don't think the kidneys can produce bicarbonate. Other functions in the body will dissolve bone if neccesary to keep pH from getting too low. |
Maintainence of blood bicarbonate is a primary function of the kidney/gill. It might be more correct to state that they regulate readsorption vs excretion, but for all practical purposes it results in the same thing - more bicarbonate in the blood.
As far as I know, skeletal catabolism isn't a primary mechanism for pH control. Osteoclasts will increase their adsorption of bone as a result of many stimuli, but most often this is in response to serum calcium levels, phosphate levels, or various endocrine disorders.
Sorry to get so far off-topic. Your point about other potentially toxic substances dissolving more readily at low pH levels is a good one. In at least one area though, low pH levels can be protective. Ammonia toxicity will be almost impossible at a pH as low as Edward is talking about since it will virtually all be converted immediately to ammonium.