Oregon Ocean Dead Zone Returns - Possible Shift In Ocean Currents

[hatrack]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – "For the second time in three years, a hypoxic "dead zone" has formed off the central Oregon Coast. It's killing fish, crabs and other marine life and leading researchers to believe that a fundamental change may be taking place in ocean conditions in the northern Pacific Ocean.

The event appears similar to one in 2002, when an area of ocean water with low oxygen content formed in the nearshore Oregon coast between Newport and Florence, causing a massive die-off of fish and invertebrate marine species. The fact that it's happening again is triggering concern among marine scientists.

In 2002, the dead zone appeared to be a one-time anomaly, an odd combination of climate, winds and upwelling patterns that led to a hypoxic event – a situation in which the oxygen level was so low it could not support most marine life – which had not been seen in the region's recent history.

But continued research has shown that the same thing almost occurred last year and is now happening in full force again this year. Dissolved oxygen levels are a great deal lower than those seen in the past 40 years. This is a disturbing trend with an unknown cause that scientists now say may reflect a major change in ocean circulation patterns, with serious impacts on marine biology. "When you see the same thing happening with this regularity, it suggests that something is fundamentally different," said Jane Lubchenco, the Valley Professor of Marine Biology at Oregon State University. "This is a significant departure from normal conditions and you have to wonder what's going on. This ocean system has changed, and we're paying attention."

EDIT

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=6278

[phantom power]

1. that's two of these now, right?

The 2nd off the Gulf coast?

[hatrack]

2. Oh, there's bunches of them

Particularly off the coast of China, where the Yangtze and (when it still reaches the sea) Yellow enter.

[phantom power]

3. you're making me feel safer by the minute...