Hypoxic
[00:01:00]
Date 13-03-2012 11:32:13
(Science, Sea - monitoring, oxygen , INGV, global changes - Hellas)
accessed 54 times
In audio George Ferentinos - Emeritus Professor Lab. of Marine Geology & Physical Oceanografy Geology Department (Univeristy of Patras
Hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions in aquatic ecosystems increase in number, duration and extent due to global warming and eutrophication. Global warming will lead to degassing of oxygen, increased stratification, reduced deep-water circulation and changes in wind patterns affecting transport and mixing. Projected increases in hypoxia (e.g. doubling of ?dead zones?) are accompanied by enhanced emission of greenhouse gases, losses in biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services such as fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
A better understanding of global changes in oxygen depletion requires a global observation system continuously monitoring oxygen at high resolution, including assessment of the role of the seafloor in controlling the sensitivity of aquatic systems to and recovery from hypoxia.
Hypox will monitor oxygen depletion and associated processes in aquatic systems that differ in oxygen status or sensitivity towards change:
open ocean, oxic with high sensitivity to global warming (Arctic),
semi-enclosed with permanent anoxia (Black Sea, Baltic Sea) and
seasonally or locally anoxic land-locked systems (fjords, lagoons, lakes) subject to eutrophication.
We will improve the capacity to monitor oxygen depletion globally, by implementing reliable long-term sensors to different platforms for in situ monitoring; and locally by training and implementing competence around the Black Sea.
