The oxygen content of the global ocean has decreased by more than 2% over the past 5 decades
Ocean models predict a decline in the dissolved oxygen inventory of the global ocean of one to seven per cent by the year 2100, caused by a combination of a warming-induced decline in oxygen solubility and reduced ventilation of the deep ocean. It is thought that such a decline in the oceanic oxygen content could affect ocean nutrient cycles and the marine habitat, with potentially detrimental consequences for fisheries and coastal economies.
Paper:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v542/n7641/full/nature21399.html
#science #O2 #research #ocean
I wonder if the decline in the worlds rainforests and the rapid expansion of the human population were also factors in this?
ReplyDeleteSam Collett, of course they were. Human population and the resource needs of the population are the root cause. It leads via oil burning to increased CO2 concentration, and thus, higher temperatures. Similarly, it causes cutting of forests for lumber and farmland, reducing O2 production. The CO2 also contributes to acidification and warming of the ocean, both of which contribute to reduced O2 in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking we are consumers of oxygen and destroy the very things that give us life. If there were no forests or jungles would other sources make up for it (i.e. algae)?
ReplyDeleteNo, as far as I know. I don't know of any mechanism or signal that would cause algae to make more O2 when forests/jungles are reduces, nor for forests/jungles to make more O2 if algae is reduced.
ReplyDeleteWhen we destroy parts of either, we're reducing total global O2 production.
We are simply breeding ourselves into a massive mess of problems in our oceans , our land , our air , our food , and we didn't really start making more and more humans until after the First World War....then copulation begat rampant sexual times and single welfare dependent mothers became normal. Fathers ,not being dependable is objectionable. but not the point. Mankind is a warlike, disposable society.
ReplyDeleteThe Pacific Ocean is just now slowly ruined , all over the Fukishimi Japan radiation leak of 2011, never cleaned up.
Loss of oxygen is critcal, especially in shallow coastal waters,.
In addition, oxygen is technically termed a prescription drug in the USA, and oxygen cocktails are not FDA-approved, although individual states can choose to prosecute as they wish. So you are not only paying money for probably nothing, but are also breaking the law! Congratulations. Oxygen sensors
ReplyDelete