Huge ‘dead zone’ found in Bay of Bengal

Globally, warming of the atmosphere through climate change is predicted to lead to an expansion of ‘dead zones’ in the ocean.

It is currently unclear whether climate change would lead to the removal of these last traces of oxygen from the Bay of Bengal waters.

However, the Bay of Bengal is also surrounded by a heavy population density, and expected increases in fertiliser input to the Bay may increase its productivity, contributing to oxygen depletion at depth.

“Time will tell, but the Bay of Bengal is at a ‘tipping point’, and we currently need models to illuminate how human activities will impact the nitrogen cycle in the Bay of Bengal, and also globally,” said Bristow.

From Agencies, Feature image courtesy gujaratweather