Lakes On Earth Are Suffocating! Chinese Study Reveals Oxygen Shortages In Water Bodies – News18

Last Updated:April 02, 2025, 13:13 IST

A study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals Earth’s lakes, rivers, and seas are losing oxygen. From 1980 to 2017, surface water oxygen in lakes dropped by 5.5%, deep water by 18.6%

Oxygen is essential for the survival of aquatic life, but many lakes and rivers globally are facing a notable drop in dissolved oxygen levels, endangering numerous species. A study conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has revealed a concerning trend: the Earth’s lakes, rivers, and seas are gradually losing their capacity to sustain oxygen.

Between 1980 and 2017, surface water oxygen levels in lakes dropped by 5.5%, and in deep water, the decline was 18.6%. Similar patterns have been observed in rivers and seas, with some lakes experiencing oxygen depletion at a rate nine times faster than seas. The findings of this study were published in the journal Science Advances.

Causes Of Oxygen Depletion

• Heatwaves: From 2003 to 2023, the incidence of heatwave days increased in 85% of lakes. As water temperatures rise, the solubility of oxygen decreases, leading to approximately 7.7% oxygen loss attributed to heat waves.
• Algal Blooms: The presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in water, stemming from pesticide use and animal waste, has led to the proliferation of algae. These algal blooms create ‘dead zones’ by consuming oxygen, accounting for 10% of the oxygen loss.
• Long-term Warming: Rising temperatures are responsible for 55% of the oxygen depletion. If this trend persists, lakes could lose an additional 9% of their oxygen by 2100.

Impact On Wildlife

The decline in oxygen levels is causing significant harm to fish and aquatic life. Species such as eels in New Zealand, Murray cod in Australia, and mussels in Europe are dying. This loss has also negatively impacted the fishing and tourism industries.

The Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest lake, has already disappeared. As lakes function as the Earth’s ‘kidney system’ by filtering water, their diminished oxygen levels pose a threat to drinking water, fish, and entire ecosystems.

This worrying trend has sparked concerns among environmentalists and scientists, as the decrease in oxygen levels disrupts the fragile balance of aquatic ecosystems.