It is the inspired gas partial pressure vs tissue tension that matters for absorption and off-gassing (diffusion) RATES. ambient PP = inspired PP = fraction inert * ambient total pressure.and not the inspired inert gas partial pressure vs. tissue tension gradient? (I take it that this is why the x-axis is ambient pressure in these diagrams
Edit: sorry, accidentally hit the post btn... Sorry for any confusion.
For bubble formation, however, it's the total ambient pressure that is holding the bubbles in solution.