#ClimateChange #OxygenLevels #GlobalResearch
A recent study published by the Chinese News Committee has shed light on the increasing temperatures causing a decrease in oxygen levels in lakes around the world. Researchers have observed a concerning trend of diminishing oxygen levels in more than 15,000 lakes globally over the past 20 years, affecting the aquatic ecosystems. This phenomenon is particularly evident in lakes compared to oceans and rivers, where oxygen depletion rates have been on the rise.
The study, published in the Science Advances journal, reveals that oxygen levels in 83% of lake surfaces worldwide have experienced a decline. Furthermore, the researchers found that the rapid and pronounced effects of global warming have led to a 7.7% decrease in oxygen levels compared to the average temperature conditions.
Experts attribute this decline in oxygen levels to climate change, which decreases the solubility of oxygen in water, contributing to a 55% reduction in oxygen content. Additionally, the increased nutrient density in lakes, known as eutrophication, has been identified as a factor in approximately 10% of cases.
The implications of these findings highlight the profound impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems, emphasizing the crucial role of maintaining adequate oxygen levels for sustaining aerobic life and healthy biological communities. Researcher Zhang Yunlin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences warns that oxygen depletion could lead to species loss and threaten industries reliant on aquatic life.
Co-author Shi Kun emphasizes the importance of managing nutrient levels in lakes to counteract the decrease in oxygen content. “Reforestation and wetland restoration can also help to restore the ecological balance of lakes,” Shi suggests.
Despite the absence of specific recommendations for addressing the primary causes of climate change and rising temperatures, researchers from Nanjing University in China and Bangor University in the UK stress the urgency of further studies and collaborative efforts to mitigate the adverse effects on global water bodies.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, comments, “The study’s findings underscore the critical need for immediate action to combat climate change and protect our freshwater ecosystems. It is imperative that governments, organizations, and individuals work together to address this pressing issue before irreversible damage occurs.”
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: March 23, 2025 12:01 am
