New research warns of potential "dead zones" off Oregon coast

(JULY 24, 2021) A special research ship recorded new measurements of the ocean waters along the West Coast last week. Researchers found something alarming. There is a large area of water with low oxygen levels off the coast of Washington and Oregon -- and it's growing.

This situation occurs every year when strong winds blow along the coast in spring and summer. The winds move the water to bring deep, cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. These nutrients feed plankton that then feed small animals like krill, which in turn are food for many marine creatures. When these plankton die off, they sink to the bottom. Their decomposition uses oxygen, leaving less oxygen for things like crabs and bottom-dwelling fish.

Although this happens every year, the problem is that this year's event started much earlier than usual, said researchers. That means that there is the potential to create "dead zones" later this summer. Dead zones occur when dissolved oxygen levels drop so low that crabs and other bottom-dwelling fish die.

The last time scientists observed winds this strong was 2006, when a large dead zone wiped out crabs and other bottom-dwelling marine life along the continental shelf. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, crab fishermen pulled up suffocated crabs unfit for consumption.