Oceans Experience Low Oxygen Levels Due to Global Warming, Warns Study

Global warming has affected the oxygen levels in the oceans that is inadvertently affecting life forms under the sea.

Due to global warming, the wind pattern and temperatures change that causes warm surface water temperature, giving lesser oxygen to the ocean than actually needed, as per U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research. According to the latest study published in Global Biochemical Cycles, it discusses the impact of de-oxygenation which is now evident in many parts of Pacific Ocean.

Matthew Long, the study author, along with his team at NCAR found that the amount of oxygen required in the oceans is depleting gradually. The researchers indicate that in the coming decades, oceans can lose massive amount of oxygen. In fact, they also concluded that the climate change will eventually destroy ocean's natural ability to control de-oxygenation. As a result, all the creatures that live under the water will have a hard time breathing.

Curtis Deutsch, researcher at the University of Washington's School of Oceanography, explained that when the temperature of ocean water increases, the oxygen level in water automatically starts to go down.

There have also been reports that Indian Ocean may be worst hit as it has been facing low oxygen levels for quite some time now. Other oceans will start experiencing the effect of depleted oxygen by 2030s to 2040s. The researchers also said that the oxygen helps in determining which part of the ocean fish and sea organisms will be able to survive. Unfortunately, some parts of the ocean are already "dead zones," where the sea creatures are not getting enough oxygen to survive.