oxygen minimum zones

Oxygen minimum zones are layers in the ocean where oxygen levels are at their lowest. These zones occur typically between 200 and 1,000 meters deep due to high biological activity and limited mixing, which consumes oxygen faster than it can be replenished from surface waters. They are influenced by factors like nutrient-rich waters and slow circulation, making it challenging for marine life that depends on oxygen to survive in these depths. These zones are important because they can affect ocean health, biodiversity, and the global carbon cycle.