Gas Supersaturation Thresholds for Bubble Formation in and Damage to Sea Urchin Embryos.

Eggs and early embryonic stages of the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus were subjected to hyperbaric gas pressures and rapid decompression. All stages showed a remarkable tolerance to gas supersaturations. No damage or internal bubbles were apparent in the eggs after decompression from less than 240 atm nitrogen or 209 atm argon.