Oxygen Depletion
Global warming is not the only consequence of increasing greenhouse
gasses from natural and anthropomorphic sources. Oxygen used to be about
20% of the atmosphere; but today, in places like Tokyo, it is as low as
7%. Carbon dioxide is actually a fairly heavy gas (molecular weight 44
as compared to oxygen 32 and nitrogen 28) so that during times of little
wind, it would have a tendency to settle in pockets.
Compromised levels of oxygen have a wide range of health and vitality
consequences ranging from headaches and dizziness to an increased
susceptibility to cancer and even death among those whose systems are
already weak from other causes. This is true in the oceans as well,
which are seeing an increase in hypoxic (oxygen deficient) dead zones in
extreme cases.
- "I do not think most people realize the dilemma which seems to
boil down to the choice between breathable air or continued and
increased burning of fuels."
Adrian Akau, NEC
- "Dead zones (hypoxic i.e. oxygen deficient water) in the coastal
zones are increasing, typically surrounding major industrial and
agricultural centers. This is commonly occurring due to nutrient
pollution, in the form of nitrogen and phosphorous leading to algal
blooms and eutrophication." (UNEP/GRID;
2004)
eutrophic (yū-trŏf'ĭk, -trō'fĭk): "Having waters rich in
mineral and organic nutrients that promote a proliferation of plant
life, especially algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen content and
often causes the extinction of other organisms. Used of a lake or pond."
[1]
"Mean dissolved oxygen concentrations in the world's oceans at a
depth of 400 meters (1,312 feet) with blue contours representing the
lowest concentrations. Boxed areas represent ocean regions analyzed in
the study." (Credit: AAAS/Science)
- "Oxygen is essential for all plants and animals to survive,
whether they live on the land or in the water. Aquatic organisms
rely on oxygen that is dissolved in the water. In most lakes and
streams, the amount of oxygen in the water is continually being
replenished by oxygen from the air. Sometimes, however, conditions
exist in which the dissolved oxygen in the water is used up by
organisms faster than it can be replaced from the air. If all the
oxygen used up, the organisms will suffocate." (US EPA)
- "The World Resources Institute recently mapped the world’s dead
zones and found a whopping 415 eutrophic zones, including 169 that
are known to be hypoxic and another 169 that probably are. The
researchers believe the number is much higher, since only the United
States and the European Union do an adequate job of counting and
reporting problem coastal areas. China and other fast-growing Asian
economies are likely polluting their coasts, but the problem hasn’t
been documented, the researchers say." (Economic
Obectorvism; Jan. 8, 2008)
- - - -
- "I was certain that the increased burning of carbon fuels with
the accompanying destruction of forest has had an adverse impact on
the oxygen in our atmosphere and the this site
[link] confirms my thinking in a most frightening manner. I do
not think most people realize the dilemma which seems to boil down
to the choice between breathable air or continued and increased
burning of fuels.
- "Right now we are stuck with the problem of Global Warming and
no one seems to realize that our oxygen supply is becoming much more
at risk as time goes by. I know that game fish cannot exist in lakes
that have been depleted of oxygen because of excess algae growth
stimulated with the dumping of phosphates and similar chemicals but
now we are entering a like situation with our own atmosphere. I
think the answer is awareness of the problem and the realization
that we must turn to other sources of energy. I also believe that
the problem of oxygen depletion needs to be brought to the attention
of all in order to solve this seemingly innocuous but in truth,
serious problem."
- "We may be getting to the stage where we will have to be
concerned about the amount of oxygen we have left in the atmosphere
to breath. I read that the % of oxygen has decreased somewhat in the
past century and that some sickness are enhanced because of this. I
read that a research paper comparing the health of people living at
low compared to high altitudes showed that it was the lack of oxygen
that was harmful for certain ailments. Oxygen used to be about 20%
of the atmosphere but today in some places, it is as low as 16%.
Carbon dioxide is actually a fairly heavy gas (molecular weight 44
as compared to oxygen 32 and nitrogen 28) so that during times of
little wind, it would have a tendency to settle in pockets. That is
one reason cave exploration can be so hazardous."
- "People living in large cities in India have such a high
incidence of lung disease that older diesel motors have been banned.
I have not read any carbon dioxide studies but reducing the amount
of oxygen available, certainly places a strain on the heart,
especially for old people with weak hearts and those with any type
of lung problems. I sometimes see older folk carting or carrying
around a small tank of oxygen as they shop for food."
- "Carbon dioxide sequestering seems to be a stupid idea because
the process also sequesters oxygen in the process. Someone needs to
present calculations showing how the burning of coal, oil and
natural gas is affecting our oxygen supply. The question really
boils down to "how much oxygen would be left in the atmosphere if
all fossil fuels were consumed?" Yes, people will say that trees and
algae will take care of the oxygen production but the real concern
is what level of oxygen is required to maintain a good healthy
atmosphere for humans as well as for other living organisms." --
Adrian Akau, NEC
Research
-
Atmospheric Oxygen Levels Fall As Carbon Dioxide Rises - "It
is roughly true that the oxygen depletion is equivalent to a
displacement by carbon dioxide. Some of the carbon dioxide produced
has been absorbed by the oceans. This process involves inorganic
chemical reactions which have no effect on O2. Second, the O2:C
combustion ratio of a fossil-fuel depends on the hydrogen content.
The ratio varies from about 1.2 for coal, 1.45 for liquid fuels, and
2.0 for natural gas. Taking these factors together, we are losing
nearly three O2 molecules for each CO2 molecule that accumulates in
the air. (Sci-TechDec. 14, 2007)
-
Hydrography and Oxygen in the Deep Basins - There has been a
steady worsening of oxygen conditions in the deep basins of the
Baltic Proper since the saline inflows of November 2002 – March
2003. Deep water salinity remains higher than the 1990 values in the
Bornholm Basin and Baltic Proper. (Helsinki Commission; Aug.
10, 2007)
-
Atmospheric Oxygen Depletion Studies - “Atmospheric "oxygen
depletion" is an already existing practical harm to mankind, not a
future possible risk!” (Advisor Chen I-Wan; Oct. 10, 2005)
Excerpted from:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Oxygen_Depletion
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