March 9th, 2010

Global Warming ~ Fact or Fiction

Take a look at this interesting article I was reading about the dangers of low oxygen levels in the oceans. Scientist are saying these low oxygen levels have increased over the years and show potential for damage to the Pacific Northwest Coast. The cause according to scientists is a result of Global Warming.

The coast off of Washington state and Oregon show increasing areas of almost complete lack of oxygen that have caused a noxious bacteria which endangers the fragile ecosystems of the ocean. In addition have left piles of Dungeness Crab bodies, killed off 25 year old sea stars and damaged many colonies of sea anemones.

Scientists also have recorded oxygen levels dropping year over year, 20 percent over the last 25 years for the coast off of Southern California. The article states “as ocean temperatures rise, the warmer water on the surface acts as a cap, which interferes with the natural circulation that normally allows deeper waters that are already oxygen-depleted to reach the surface. It’s on the surface where ocean waters are recharged with oxygen from the air.”

Are we causing irreversibe damage to the ocean? Is our daily living; gasses from our cars, pollution, agricultural run off, causing these drops in oxygen levels to the ocean? Read the article. What say you? Don’t forget about World Water Day on March 22. Visit Surfrider Foundation for more information.