Gas-liquid mass transfer has been investigated in a bubble column using non-Newtonian media and pure carbon dioxide as absorbent and gas phase, respectively. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient and gas-liquid interfacial area has been measured under different operational conditions for the gas-liquid system analysed in this work. The non-Newtonian media used were in all the cases aqueous solutions Of K-carrageenan; the characterization of this polymer in relation to the medium molecular weight and rheological behaviour has been carried out as a previous step. The influence of rheological properties, polymer concentration and gas flow-rate upon the mass transfer rate has been studied. The results shown in the present work allowed LIS to understand the carbon dioxide transfer to a non-Newtonian liquid phase, as well as to evaluate the effect caused by the liquid phase characteristics. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.