Scientists Warn a Silent Oxygen Crisis Is Spreading Through Earth’s Waters

A UC San Diego-led review says dissolved oxygen is falling across oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

The authors argue aquatic deoxygenation should be added to the Planetary Boundaries framework because it interacts with warming, pollution, and other Earth-system stresses.

They warn that oxygen loss can destabilize ecosystems, climate regulation, and biodiversity.

The report strengthens calls to recognize deoxygenation as a major planetary boundary.