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MulderFBI
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Is water at the bottom of the ocean oxygen deficient? Compared to water at the higher levels.
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I am not entirely sure, but I think I've read somewhere that it is. Intuitively speaking, it does sound plausible. The only factor that may increase the oxygen concentration at lower level of ocean is water pressure. I think every other factors (such as lack of atmospheric contact, water temperature although it won't go below 4 deg, relative lack of plants, etc.) decreases the oxygen concentration at lower ocean level.MulderFBI said:Is water at the bottom of the ocean oxygen deficient? Compared to water at the higher levels.
I am not an expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was true.MulderFBI said:Thank you, I wanted to verify that claim. One of the explanations I've found is that it's because water at the bottom is very dense (especially at the 4 deg layer). That density stops it from absorbing oxygen (and other gases) through for example diffusion or convection but I'm not sure it's true.
Well, I said "don't change that much", which means it still does change a little. It probably changes around 0.01 g/cm3 comparing sea level and the bottom of the ocean, if not, less. Density of sea water is around 1.025 - 1.027 at sea level. So a 1% difference (or less) is a minor difference to me.MulderFBI said:Why is that? I'm pretty sure water at 4deg is at the most dense point so I would say it is denser than on higher levels when temperature rises.
The deeper you go in the ocean, the less oxygen there is. This is because oxygen is primarily produced at the surface through photosynthesis by phytoplankton and other marine plants. As water sinks to the bottom, it becomes more and more depleted of oxygen.
Oxygen levels in the ocean are typically measured using a device called a dissolved oxygen sensor. This sensor measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, which is a key indicator of the overall oxygen content in the ocean.
Marine life requires oxygen to survive, and in areas with low oxygen levels, many species may struggle to survive. Some species, such as fish, will swim to shallower waters with higher oxygen levels, while others may die off or experience stunted growth due to oxygen deficiency.
Oxygen deficiency in the ocean can be caused by a variety of factors, including high water temperatures, excess nutrient pollution, and changes in ocean currents. Climate change is also a major contributor, as warmer ocean temperatures can decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Ocean oxygen deficiency is a major concern for the health of our planet. It can lead to the death of marine life, disrupt marine ecosystems, and impact the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This can have far-reaching effects on the global climate and the health of the planet as a whole.