OBAMA-NEXT Leader Address Baltic Sea Crisis on NDR Schleswig-Holstein Magazin
In a recent feature on NDR Schleswig-Holstein Magazin, Jacob Carstensen, coordinator of the OBAMA-NEXT project shed light on the escalating crisis of dead zones in the Baltic Sea – a critical concern for marine biodiversity.
In a recent feature on NDR Schleswig-Holstein Magazin, Jacob Carstensen, coordinator of the OBAMA-NEXT Horizon Europe project, and his colleague Hans Jakobsen who is also involved in this 4-year project, shed light on the escalating crisis of dead zones in the Baltic Sea – a critical concern for marine biodiversity.
Carstensen likens the Baltic Sea to a gigantic, almost closed bathtub, highlighting its shallow and insulated nature. He explains that it takes roughly 30 years for the Baltic Sea’s water to fully cycle, resulting in the accumulation of pollutants. This accumulation, primarily from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater, leads to substantial nutrient input, notably nitrogen and phosphorus.
These nutrients are accelerating algae growth. When these algae die, they sink to the seabed and decompose, consuming oxygen and creating vast dead zones devoid of life. This phenomenon has grown alarmingly, with the area of dead zones expanding from 5,000 square km in 1906 to 60,000 square km by 2012.
Complicating matters, climate change is exacerbating this issue, as rising temperatures further stimulate algae growth. Carstensen warns that without intervention, these dead areas are likely to continue expanding. The decline in seagrass meadows, which have plummeted by 60% due to overfertilization and reduced light penetration, underscores the severity of the situation. Seagrass meadows, crucial for carbon storage, are now also threatened by temperature increases.
The Geomar Institute’s Thorsten Reusch points out that recent storm surges have temporarily alleviated some oxygen-free zones by mixing waters, but the long-term consequences remain uncertain.
This urgent issue underscores the significance of the OBAMA-NEXT project, which aims to develop advanced tools for monitoring and preserving marine biodiversity. By providing a comprehensive view of marine ecosystems, OBAMA-NEXT seeks to inform and enhance policies that can address these critical environmental challenges.
Jessica Gow - TT