Dead zones and oxygen loss in the ocean
Fertiliser run-off and warming are starving coastal waters of oxygen, creating seasonal dead zones where fish and shellfish cannot survive.
How this affects people
Nitrogen and phosphorus washing off farms and cities feed algal blooms. When the algae die and decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water.
Warmer water also holds less oxygen, so climate change and pollution combine to expand low-oxygen zones in coastal seas and the open ocean.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Fertiliser and manure run-off
- 02Untreated sewage
- 03Warmer water holding less oxygen
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Seasonal dead zones return
Summer dead zones reappear wherever run-off stays high.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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