文章基本信息

标题：Into Thick(er) Air? Oxygen Availability at Humans' Physiological Frontier on Mount Everest
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作者：Tom Matthews ; L. Baker Perry ; Timothy P. Lane 等
期刊名称：iScience
印刷版ISSN：2589-0042
出版年度：2020
卷号：23
期号：12
页码：1-24
DOI：10.1016/j.isci.2020.101718
语种：English
出版社：Elsevier
摘要：SummaryGlobal audiences are captivated by climbers pushing themselves to the limits in the hypoxic environment of Mount Everest. However, air pressure sets oxygen abundance, meaning it varies with the weather and climate warming. This presents safety issues for mountaineers but also an opportunity for public engagement around climate change. Here we blend new observations from Everest with ERA5 reanalysis (1979-2019) and climate model results to address both perspectives. We find that plausible warming could generate subtle but physiologically relevant changes in summit oxygen availability, including an almost 5% increase in annual minimum VO2max for 2°C warming since pre-industrial. In the current climate we find evidence of swings in pressure sufficient to change Everest's apparent elevation by almost 750 m. Winter pressures can also plunge lower than previously reported, highlighting the importance of air pressure forecasts for the safety of those trying to push the physiological frontier on Mt. Everest.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Mt. Everest's perceived elevation changes by almost 700 m depending on the weather•Air pressure on Mt. Everest summit plunges close to physiological limit in winter•Climate warming is increasing air pressure/oxygen availability on Mt. EverestPhysiological State; Physical Activity; Climatology; Atmospheric Observation; Glacial Landscapes