More corals may suffer from a lack of oxygen

Top 15 Conservation Issues of 2021

There are many factors that can contribute to a decrease in oxygen levels in the ocean. Climate-driven marine heatwaves which are periods of time where the sea surface temperature increases and nutrient runoff from land are the main causes of oxygen levels decreasing. Corals in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have died from these forms of hypoxia. These events were not widespread, but it is scientists' fear that as climate change warms the ocean further this threat will grow exponentially. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of the impact of low oxygen on coral reefs.