This transect was marked as being significant for variability with dissolved oxygen. This transect has relatively high oxygen throughout when compared to other locations on the West Coast. A closer look reveals that there is a hotspot of high dissolved oxygen offshore, as well as a gradient of changing oxygen concentrations.

Why do we care about dissolved oxygen?

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is extremely important for marine organisms. They need oxygen to respire, just like us. If marine animals don't have enough oxygen, they die. Every species has a specific quantity of DO it needs to live. If this number isn't met, organisms can get stressed and die if they are exposed to it for long periods of time. 

 

There is also an interesting carbonate gradient in which there is lower carbonate close to shore, then a gradual increase to a hotspot in about the same location as the oxygen hotspot, and then a decrease, then an increase as you move offshore.

How is carbonate important to marine organisms?

Carbonate is especially important for shelled marine organisms. Can you think of why crabs would need it? Carbonate serves as the building blocks for the shells of these species. The shells are essential to the survival of these organisms. As the acidity increases, the shells become thinner,  the growth of the animal is slower and the deaths rise.

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