Aquatic 'dead zones' contributing to climate change
Friday, March 19, 2010 - 06:56
in Earth & Climate
The increased frequency and intensity of oxygen-deprived 'dead zones' along the world's coasts can negatively impact environmental conditions in far more than just local waters. In the March 12 edition of the journal Science, University of Maryland Centre for Environmental Science oceanographer Dr Lou Codispoti explains that the increased amount of nitrous oxide (N2O) produced in low-oxygen (hypoxic) waters can elevate concentrations in the atmosphere, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and contributing to ozone 'holes' that cause an increase in our exposure to harmful UV radiation...