In the world there is a rapid fall in oxygen levels in lakes, which threatens water ecosystems. The study of scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), published in Science Alert, shows that the situation in the lakes is deteriorating much faster than in rivers and seas.
The lakes lose oxygen rapidly: from 1980 to 2017, the level of oxygen in surface waters decreased by 5.5%, and in deep layers - by 18.6%. 80% of the lakes are already showing critical oxygen depletion. Global warming is the main reason: fever reduces the solubility of oxygen in water. Waves of heat caused 7.7% of oxygen loss. Algae flowering due to warming and contamination is responsible for another 10% of losses. The impact of climatic changes - 55% of oxygen loss in lakes. If the trend persists, by 2100 the level of oxygen in the lakes will fall by another 9% in the worst scenario.
Why is it not bearing? "Dead zones" are oxygen -free areas where fish and other aqueous organisms are rolling. The depletion of oxygen causes mass death of living things in reservoirs around the world. Accelerated evaporation due to warming enhances drought, flooding and threatens food safety.
What to do? Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to slow the warming. Reduction of pollution of fertilizers and industrial waste. Restoration of natural ecosystems and control over algae flowering.
