Depleted Oxygen in the Ocean Caused by Climate Change Threatens Marine Life

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) said that by 2030, the ocean might have an alarming level of depleted oxygen which threatens the marine life and human resources as well.

Because of climate change, even the Great Barrier Reef is currently suffering from coral bleaching. But that's not the only problem caused by climate change. The extreme weather conditions and warmer water also results to the depletion of the oxygen level in the waters.

According to the report by NCAR, "a warming climate can be expected to gradually sap the ocean of oxygen, leaving fish, crabs, squid, sea stars, and other marine life struggling to breathe".

Matthew Long, a scientist at NCAR added "Loss of oxygen in the ocean is one of the serious side effects of a warming atmosphere, and a major threat to marine life."

Gizmodo also reported the depletion of oxygen level in the ocean. They said that it can be explained by "basic thermodynamics, cold water can hold more dissolved gases than warm water. As our ever-warming atmosphere heats the surface of the ocean, the oxygen content starts to fall. Also, as water warms, it expands and gets lighter. This makes it less likely to sink, which in turn reduces the transport of oxygen from the atmosphere into the deep ocean."

The problem with depleted oxygen supply is that it greatly threatens marine life. The fishes and other marine animals survive the waters because of the presence of oxygen. Major changes in the environment will affect their ability to thrive.

According to the study published by the Global Biochemical Cycles, the depletion of oxygen in the ocean is already happening, but the most crucial and detectable influence to marine life can be felt by 2030.

They study also states that the oxygen level is important in regulating metabolic and bio-geochemical processes of marine life and the ocean.

If the water turns warmer, it will be more difficult for the oxygen to travel deeper, which threatens marine life in deeper sea levels.

Currently, the researchers claim that the deoxygenation in the oceans is already felt in some areas in the world. The study said it is already detected in the southern Indian Ocean and parts of the eastern tropical Pacific and the Atlantic.

The depleted oxygen level in the ocean which threatens the marine life should be reason enough for mankind to try and curb climate change. If it does transpire in 2030, it won't just affect marine life but the natural cycle in life. Imagine how a dead ocean ecosystem affects the livelihood and resources of men.