Scientists make disturbing find about oxygen-depleted region: 'The situation will get worse'
The study discovered that the Baltic Sea is too nutrient-rich and oxygen-depleted. These issues are caused by an overgrowth of bacteria (aka bacterial biomass production) and plant life, which is aided by rising water temperatures.
An abundance of nutrients sounds positive, but it leads to more oxygen-eating plants and bacteria. Without an adequate oxygen supply, marine animals are at risk. This life-threatening lack of oxygen is known as coastal hypoxia.
"At present, there are no effective solutions to permanently reduce this internal load," Helmke Hepach, lead author of the study and environmental scientist at GEOMAR, said via Phys.org. "With the increasing frequency of oxygen depletion events, the situation will get worse."
The Baltic Sea ranks among the most substantially altered ecosystems in the world. This makes it a prime location for studying the effects of the changing climate, and the findings are troubling.
The negative changes in the Baltic Sea call into question the future of its marine ecosystems. Conservationists have succeeded in reducing the nutrient levels, but the warm temperatures prevent the ecosystems from bouncing back.
The study highlights the importance of marine life in such places. "Coastal ecosystems play pivotal roles in mitigating impacts of climate change, but if destroyed, they may amplify climate change, further calling for stronger ecosystem management strategies," the final line of the abstract reads.
If these ecosystems are not protected, pollution and rising temperatures will only mushroom. Healthy coastal ecosystems make the planet healthier.
The increased levels of nutrients are due to both organic and inorganic inputs. It's crucial to address the human causes of these changes. Agricultural runoff, dirty fuel burning, and wastewater treatment discharges are the top inorganic issues.
Should we bury dangerous air pollution deep within the ocean?
Sure thing
No way
I'm not sure
Depends where it happens
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Studies such as this show the importance of mitigating and addressing these problems sooner rather than later. The NOAA National Ocean Service researches coastal hypoxia's impacts to maintain awareness and find solutions. Nutrient-reduction strategies are essential but must be made more impactful to combat warming temperatures and reduced oxygen.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Experts make alarming discovery after analyzing species for over 2 decades: 'Evolution in action'
Experts make alarming discovery after analyzing species for over 2 decades: 'Evolution in action' Overfishing in the Bornholm Basin over the last several decades has made eastern Baltic cod shrink in size. What's happening? As Mongabay observed, a June 2025 study by GEOMAR stated that eastern Baltic cod have shrunk over time. Between 1996 and 2019, they lost about half their length and almost four-fifths of their typical weight. While fishing wasn't a variable tracked by the study, the researchers still believe it caused this rapid evolution to an extent. Trawling companies were only allowed to catch fish over 14 inches long to protect juvenile fish. But as of 2019, trawling has been banned. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, looked at the DNA of the fish to confirm this change. Researchers found that the gene patterns of smaller fish have become more common over time. "What we are observing is evolution in action, driven by human activity," said Professor Dr. Thorsten Reusch, one of the study's co-authors, in a press release. "This is scientifically fascinating, but ecologically deeply concerning." Why is overfishing concerning? Overfishing can severely damage our food supply chains and our ecosystems. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the global fishing industry is worth about $362 billion. If we continue to overfish, people will lose their jobs and sources of income. Overfishing exploits coastal economies and causes financial instability. It also threatens the survival of many marine animals. When overfishing takes fish out of the equation, that creates an imbalance within marine ecosystems. It could also lead to severely endangered species like the vaquita porpoise and Maui's dolphin going fully extinct. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about overfishing? The banning of trawling in 2019 demonstrates the importance and value of taking action and spreading the word about environmentally harmful practices. It may take a long time to reverse the damage done to eastern Baltic cod, but researchers hope the tides will change for these fish. "That's why a paper like this is so important," David Conover, a professor emeritus in biology at the University of Oregon and a co-author of a related 2019 study, told Mongabay. "It's going to up the dialogue and increase conversations in the management community." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Experts make alarming discovery after analyzing species for over 2 decades: 'Evolution in action'
Experts make alarming discovery after analyzing species for over 2 decades: 'Evolution in action' Overfishing in the Bornholm Basin over the last several decades has made eastern Baltic cod shrink in size. What's happening? As Mongabay observed, a June 2025 study by GEOMAR stated that eastern Baltic cod have shrunk over time. Between 1996 and 2019, they lost about half their length and almost four-fifths of their typical weight. While fishing wasn't a variable tracked by the study, the researchers still believe it caused this rapid evolution to an extent. Trawling companies were only allowed to catch fish over 14 inches long to protect juvenile fish. But as of 2019, trawling has been banned. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, looked at the DNA of the fish to confirm this change. Researchers found that the gene patterns of smaller fish have become more common over time. "What we are observing is evolution in action, driven by human activity," said Professor Dr. Thorsten Reusch, one of the study's co-authors, in a press release. "This is scientifically fascinating, but ecologically deeply concerning." Why is overfishing concerning? Overfishing can severely damage our food supply chains and our ecosystems. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the global fishing industry is worth about $362 billion. If we continue to overfish, people will lose their jobs and sources of income. Overfishing exploits coastal economies and causes financial instability. It also threatens the survival of many marine animals. When overfishing takes fish out of the equation, that creates an imbalance within marine ecosystems. It could also lead to severely endangered species like the vaquita porpoise and Maui's dolphin going fully extinct. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about overfishing? The banning of trawling in 2019 demonstrates the importance and value of taking action and spreading the word about environmentally harmful practices. It may take a long time to reverse the damage done to eastern Baltic cod, but researchers hope the tides will change for these fish. "That's why a paper like this is so important," David Conover, a professor emeritus in biology at the University of Oregon and a co-author of a related 2019 study, told Mongabay. "It's going to up the dialogue and increase conversations in the management community." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Researchers make breakthrough in fight to save coastal feature in Hawai'i: 'Crucial for developing effective management strategies'
Researchers make breakthrough in fight to save coastal feature in Hawai'i: 'Crucial for developing effective management strategies' Hawai'i's volcanic peaks, tropical blooms, and sparkling waters are world-famous, but beneath the surface, something troubling is happening. Thick mats of red algae are rapidly smothering coral reefs in the protected Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, throwing the region's delicate ecosystem out of balance. Now, scientists say they've made a key breakthrough that could help stop the spread of this reef-killing invader. What's happening? In the shallow waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an aggressive algae species, Chondria tumulosa, is taking over, as shared. First identified in 2016, it has since expanded at a rate of nearly 45 square kilometers a year, according to satellite images from 2015 to 2021. Unlike typical marine algae, C. tumulosa forms tumbleweed-like mats that easily break off and drift with the current, rapidly colonizing new areas and suffocating coral reefs. Because scientists haven't been sure where it came from, it's been hard to stop — until now. "Understanding the origin of this potentially invasive species is crucial for developing effective management strategies," the study's lead author stated. In the new study published in PeerJ Life & Environment, researchers used genetic modeling to trace its potential source. Their goal? To give reef managers the tools they need to track, predict, and contain the algae more effectively. Why is this species concerning? Hawai'i's reefs aren't just stunning — they're essential. Reefs protect shorelines from storms, sustain local fisheries, and shape the island's culture and way of life. When something like C. tumulosa moves in, it's not just coral that suffers. These invaders can disrupt entire ecosystems. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Invasive species often outcompete native plants and wildlife for space, nutrients, and sunlight. That throws nature off balance and makes the system more vulnerable to disease and climate stress. What's being done about the algae? Thanks to this new research, conservation teams now have a significantly better chance of staying ahead of the problem. By determining where the algae originates and how it spreads, they can take more targeted steps to prevent it from growing out of control. Locals and visitors can also help by avoiding the transport of marine life, supporting reef-safe tourism, and learning more about critical climate issues. Every effort counts, and protecting native species is key to keeping Hawai'i's reefs and our shared future alive and thriving. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
