The Earth’s hydrosphere consists of the world ocean as a principal component, hence, it is integral to all known life. The world ocean is the home to over two million species.
However, a new research on the effects of climate change on oceans concluded that the increased human activity and increasing consumption have led to dropping oxygen levels by 2% in the last 50 years.
The study concludes that since 1960, the oxygen levels have plunged at least 2%. Though it seems like a minute figure but if calculated on the basis of the environment as a whole, even a fractional move in forces can lead to a worthy impact on the natural life.
The study was done by authors Sunke Schmidtko, Lothar Stramma and Martin Visbeck who came to this conclusion on the basis of analyzing data from 1960 to 2010. The research was done by reviewing temperature, oxygen and other factors that could affect oxygen levels.
Moreover, the conclusions were produced at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany.
Though the minute 2% shift may seem to be unimportant, this could pose a serious threat to the marine life. Moreover, as nature is all interrelated, this could ultimately affect humans as well.
Furthermore, the study also concludes that the oxygen levels have been losing unevenly wherein, some oceans have lost more than the others. The largest volume of oxygen lost is been experienced by the North Pacific Ocean while the Arctic Ocean has lost the largest percentage.
Moreover, the scientists who have concluded the study further claims that the oxygen losses can prove to have detrimental consequences for fisheries and coastal economies.
Image Credit: Carbon brief
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