Editing Supersaturation (section)

=== Gaseous solute, liquid solvent ===
The solubility of a gas in a liquid increases with increasing gas pressure. When the external pressure is reduced, the excess gas comes out of solution.

Fizzy drinks are made by subjecting the liquid to [[carbon dioxide]], under pressure. In [[champagne]] the CO<sub>2</sub> is produced naturally in the final stage of [[fermentation]]. When the bottle or can is opened some gas is released in the form of bubbles.

Release of gas from supersaturated tissues can cause an [[underwater diving|underwater diver]] to suffer from [[decompression sickness]] (a.k.a. the bends) when returning to the surface. This can be fatal if the released gas obstructs critical blood supplies causing ischaemia in vital tissues.<ref>{{cite report|title=Evidence Report: Risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS) |first1=Johnny |last1=Conkin |first2=Jason R. |last2=Norcross |first3=James H. III |last3=Wessel |first4=Andrew F. J. |last4=Abercromby |first5=Jill S. |last5=Klein |first6=Joseph P. |last6=Dervay |first7=Michael L. |last7=Gernhardt |work=Human Research Program Human Health Countermeasures Element |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |location=Houston, Texas  |url=https://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20140003729}}</ref>

Dissolved gases can be released during [[oil exploration]] when a strike is made. This occurs because the oil in oil-bearing rock is under considerable pressure from the over-lying rock, allowing the oil to be supersaturated with respect to dissolved gases.