The Alarming Decline of Oxygen in Earth's Water Bodies: Implications and Urgent Actions
A recent study highlights a critical environmental issue: the rapid decline of dissolved oxygen in the world's water bodies. This phenomenon, known as aquatic deoxygenation, is becoming one of the greatest threats to Earth's life support systems. The study suggests that aquatic deoxygenation should be added to the list of "planetary boundaries," which are critical thresholds that ensure a stable and habitable planet for humanity. Causes and Consequences of Aquatic Deoxygenation The primary drivers of deoxygenation include climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and human activities such as nutrient runoff from agriculture and sewage pollution. As the planet warms, water bodies, particularly oceans, absorb less oxygen. This reduction is compounded by the warming of water, which decreases its ability to hold oxygen, thus creating a detrimental cycle. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has noted that oxygen levels in oceans have already decreased...