What is the expected solubility of oxygen gas in water at high altitudes with reduced atmospheric pressure?

The expected solubility of oxygen gas in water decreases at high altitudes due to the lower atmospheric pressure. The solubility of gases in liquids is influenced by pressure, with higher pressures typically allowing more gas to dissolve in a liquid, according to Henry's law. As altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases, leading to a reduction in the amount of oxygen available to dissolve in water. Therefore, at high altitudes, the ability of water to hold dissolved oxygen is diminished, making the solubility lower than that at sea level.

This principle explains why the correct choice is that the solubility of oxygen gas in water is lower at higher altitudes compared to sea level. Understanding this relationship is crucial in fields like environmental science, physiology, and atmospheric chemistry, as it affects both aquatic ecosystems and the availability of oxygen for respiratory processes in organisms living at high elevations.