Lakes Across the Globe Losing Oxygen at Unprecedented Rate as Heat Waves and Climate Change Drive Deoxygenation Crisis
Lakes around the world are rapidly losing oxygen, a trend that scientists warn could have devastating consequences for aquatic life, global food security, and climate stability. A new study published in Science Advances on March 21, 2025, has revealed that deoxygenation in global lakes is occurring at a rate faster than that observed in oceans and rivers.
The research led by Yibo Zhan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found that 83 percent of the 15,535 lakes studied are experiencing continuous oxygen loss, with the decline driven primarily by rising global temperatures and an increasing frequency of heat waves.
The study identified long-term climate warming as the primary driver of oxygen loss, accounting for 55 percent of the depletion in surface waters. As temperatures rise, the...