Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/essential-oxygen-and-nutrient-levels-in-puget-sound-what-you-need-to-know/
State of Washington officials are intensifying efforts to monitor and address the vital levels of oxygen and nutrients in Puget Sound, a crucial ecosystem supporting diverse marine life and regional economies. The Department of Ecology has released new data highlighting trends in oxygen depletion and nutrient loading, underscoring both natural processes and human impacts. As concerns grow over the health of this iconic waterway, understanding the balance of oxygen and nutrients has become essential in guiding effective environmental policies and protecting Puget Sound’s future.
Oxygen Levels in Puget Sound Reveal Alarming Trends Impacting Marine Life
Recent assessments of dissolved oxygen in Puget Sound waters have highlighted a significant decrease in levels, particularly in the deep basins during summer months. This decline poses serious risks to the region’s unique marine ecosystems, affecting species such as Pacific salmon, Dungeness crabs, and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Low oxygen, or hypoxia, has been linked to increased algal blooms fueled by nutrient runoff from urban and agricultural areas, which exacerbate microbial activity and oxygen consumption in the water column. Scientists emphasize that these changes create “dead zones” where marine life struggles to survive or is forced to migrate, disrupting food webs and commercial fisheries alike.
The Department of Ecology’s ongoing monitoring program highlights several key factors…
—-
Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-07-29 20:31:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8