Why are bicarbonate ions removed from RBC?

So i understand chloride ions are exchanged with bicarbonate ions to prevent electric imbalance as the hydrogen ions would give the red blood cell (RBC) a positive charge. But why does HCO3- ions need to be removed in the first place does it perhaps alter pH or is the ion concentration too high so water would be drawn in by osmosis causing the RBC to rupture??

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Why are bicarbonate ions removed from RBC?

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