All articles tagged with #ocean anoxia
Ancient volcanic activity 183 million years ago caused widespread ocean anoxia, a process that is now being mirrored by modern human-induced CO2 emissions, which are reducing ocean oxygen levels and threatening marine life. Scientists use geochemical methods to study past events, highlighting the long-lasting impact of deoxygenation and emphasizing the urgent need to reduce emissions to prevent similar catastrophic outcomes today.
Research on deep-sea sediments from the Cenomanian period (~93.5 million years ago) suggests that Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) was caused by volcanic activity and climate warming, leading to widespread ocean anoxia. The study reveals a significant increase in total organic carbon content and sea surface temperature during this period, indicating a decline in oxygen levels. The findings highlight the potential future expansion of oxygen minimum zones in today's oceans due to global warming, posing a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Understanding past episodes of marine anoxia is crucial for guiding decisions to safeguard the future of Earth's oceans amidst ongoing climate change.