and on the Absorption of Gases bi) Water. 253 



the depth, but in a much smallei* proportion than it is augment- 

 ed by the higher pressure. According to Henry''s experiments 

 (confirmed in regard to carbonic acid gas by Saussure), water 

 under a hydrostatic pressure of 96 feet will absorb three times as 

 much gas as it can under the ordinary pressure of the atmo- 

 sphere. But, as mentioned above, the temperature increases 

 about 1 ° for 96 feet of depth. Now, according to the experiments 

 of Henry, if we consider the ppwer which water at 10^.22 R. has 

 of absorbing carbonic acid gas = 1, then for each degree of Reau- 

 mur up to 23°.56 R., that power will be reduced by 0.058*. Ac- 

 cording to Dalton, the decrease of the power of absorption of wa- 

 ter would amount to much less for each degree from 0^ to 80° R., 

 if, namely, water at every temperature absorbs the same volume 

 of gas. Thus, for example, the power of absorption of water 



would from 10° to 11° R. diminish only ? =0.0045. For 



•' 213 + 10 



our present purpose, it is a matter of indifference whether Henry's 

 or Dalton's results are nearer the truth, for it is quite sufficient 

 that the diminution of the power of absorption of water with 

 the increasing temperature of the interior of the earth, need not 

 be taken into consideration at all, in opposition to the great in- 

 crease of this power derived from the augmented pressure of the 

 water, and that hence such a diminution may be entirely left 

 out in our calculations. 



• Gilb. Annal. vol- xx. p. 155. If we reduce Fahrenheit's to Reaumur's 

 degrees, we obtain by comparison of the 1st and 2d experiments for an in. 

 crease of temperature of 1° a diminution of the power which water has of ab- 

 sorbing carbonic acid gas amounting to imf |o~qT= 0.058. By a comparison 



of experiments fi and 7, we obtain . ., = 0.0G2 ; and by compari- 

 son of experiments 7 and 9, .„ .'^ . . = 0. 058. These results corre- 



/0.11,11 



spond well with one another, and if we consider as unity the power which 

 water has of absorbing carbonic acid gas between 10° 22 and 23° 56 R., we 

 maj' regard the diminution as equal to O.OG for each degree of Reaumur. In 

 the new edition of Gehler's Physikal. IVdrterluch, vol. i. art. Absorption, p. .50, 

 there are comparisons of each two of the above quoted experiments, in which 

 equal quantities of water and carbonic acid always came in contact, but where 

 very unequal diminution of the power of water in absorbing the gas was 

 found. This arises from the differences of the absorbed quantities of gas be- 

 ing compared with each other in unequal absolute quantities of the gas ab- 

 sorbed at a lower temperature. Henry's 1st, lid, and 4th experiments shew, 

 VOL. XVIII. XO. XXXVI. AfRlI, 1835. s 



