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Hypoxia means an absence of oxygen reaching living tissues. In coastal waters, it is characterized by low levels of dissolved oxygen, so that not enough oxygen is available to support fish and other aquatic species.
Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, are essential for healthy marine and freshwater environments.
However, an over overabundance of nutrients can trigger excessive algal growth (or eutrophication) which results in reduced sunlight, loss of aquatic habitat, and a decrease in oxygen dissolved in the water. Excess nutrients may come from a wide range of sources:
- Runoff from developed land
- Atmospheric deposition
- Soil erosion
- Agricultural fertilizers
Sewage and industrial discharges also contribute nutrients.
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