Oceanic Dead Zones

Oceanic dead zones are low-oxygen hypoxic areas in the Earth's oceans. Most organisms need oxygen to survive so these areas become dead zones as almost no species can survive in these conditions. These dead zones are formed through a natural process called eutrophication. Eutrophication occurs when a body of water receives too many nutrients, leading to an overwhelming growth of cyanobacteria which causes the lack of oxygen in these areas. Ocean dead zones with zero oxygen have quadrupled in size since 1950 and the number of very low oxygen sites near coasts has multiplied tenfold. This increase in dead zones is mostly because of humans. Eutrophication has increased in the ocean because of intensive agricultural practices, industrial activities, and population growth. These three processes emit large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous which provide the nutrients to kickstart the process. These dead zones also go hand in hand with climate change as warmer waters hold less oxygen, to begin with. This is another example of a negative effect that humans have on the environment. We must prevent these nutrients from entering the ocean as well as begin to reverse climate change before it is too late. Scientists have discovered that major extinction events in Earth’s history have been associated with warm climates and oxygen-deficient oceans. With the trajectory that we are on currently, we are headed to a major extinction event that could include humans. The solutions to this problem are very similar to the solutions I have mentioned in previous blogs: reduce global warming and prevent pollution. We are still at the point where climate change and our effect on the planet and oceans can be reversed so we must take action now. 

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