Oxygenatie

Oxygenatie is the process by which oxygen is delivered to the tissues and cells of the body. In medicine and physiology it refers to the supply of oxygen to the bloodstream and its transport to cells, while in technology it describes processes that introduce oxygen into gases or materials. The term is used in many fields, such as healthcare, industrial engineering, environmental science and metallurgy.

In the human body oxygen takes the following steps. Inhalation brings air rich in oxygen into the alveoli of the lungs. The oxygen then diffuses across the thin alveolar‑capillary barrier and binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells. Each hemoglobin molecule can carry four oxygen molecules, forming oxyhemoglobin, which travels via the bloodstream to tissues. There, oxygen is released due to a higher hydrogen ion concentration and lower partial pressure of oxygen (the Bohr effect). Cells use the oxygen in the mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. When oxygen supply falls below demand, tissues experience hypoxia which can cause fatigue, dizziness or more severe injury.

Clinical oxygenation methods include supplemental oxygen delivered by masks, nasal cannulae or ventilators. In critical care, mechanical ventilation is employed to maintain arterial oxygen partial pressure above 60 mmHg. Pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas analysis and capnography are standard monitoring tools to assess the adequacy of oxygen delivery and to guide treatment.

Industrial oxygenation systems are designed to enrich gases with oxygen or to remove oxygen from liquids. In metallurgy, oxygenation of molten metal improves combustion and removes impurities; the blowing of oxygen into iron reduces slag formation. In environmental engineering, oxygenation of water or wastewater encourages aerobic bacterial activity that decomposes organic matter, reducing pollution.

While oxygen is essential for life, abnormal levels can be hazardous. Hyperoxia may generate reactive oxygen species, causing cellular damage, whereas hypoxia drives anaerobic metabolism and lactic acid build‑up. Consequently, effective oxygenation requires balancing supply against metabolic demand and monitoring for potential adverse effects.