Water, life cannot exist without the bond of one part oxygen and two part hydrogen forming h2o. 71% of Earth is covered by water, approximately 61% of the human body is water, and water keeps aquatic plants and sea life thriving. Fish gills extract oxygen and relies on water to function. A fish out of water suffocates by the adherence of the gill layers. But you already know this.
Creatures “living” without oxygen?
Before believing all hope is dead one should take note of the oxygen-starved area of the Black Sea where Loriciferans reproduce and survive. These creatures come in three species. According to Telegraph scientists are somewhat baffled since bacteria does not require oxygen to live, however, the millimeter long jellyfish like swimmers are found just over 2 miles on the ocean floor.
A sign of things to come?
Bacteria may be munching away in the Gulf at this point as the USGS concludes that between 500,000 to 1 million gallons a day has released into the water. An obvious path since sea life is already dying and landing on the Gulf floor, untouched by other sea life relying on oxygen. And since the Black Sea has found an oxygen-starved creature – perhaps a new birth of sea “life” will be produced creating another reason to alter evolution charts in years to come.
What will the oil spill do to the thermohaline belt a.k.a. the ocean conveyor belt?
Deriving from temperature and salt, the belt travels all over the world and at one point journeys north to the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Stream’s Atlantic ocean current exits through the Strait of Florida, heads along the east coast towards the Mid-Atlantic Ridge on the way to the Artic Ocean only to reach it’s destination then travels south. Visit Wikipedia for the conveyor map or visit Shutdown of Conveyor for more on what happens when it slows or shuts down.
Belt alterations can cause climate changes from transformations of salt and temperature. With the hot sun deflecting off of the oil surface the temperatures of the water surely will rise. Whatever this may bring remains to be seen. Keep in mind that the ocean is 71% water with the Gulf of Mexico, eleventh largest body of water in the world, still remains relatively small considering. However, it doesn’t take a meteorologist to predict an active hurricane season following the oil spill – it’s now mere commonsense.
All we can do is hope for the best with the knowledge of upcoming changes to consider.
As for the Gulf oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in history, let’s just say BP’s slick tricks may stop the plumes bursting underwater but they cannot hide from Mother Nature.
(accessed May 29, 2010)