Problem
Destruction of environmental oxygen
Other Names:
Oxygen depletion of the environment Nature:
All activity requires energy, which normally involves the combustion of oxygen, the indispensable element of life and nature. The present amount of human activity is such that it involves a greater combustion of oxygen than the production of oxygen by plant chlorophyll is capable of producing; at the same time water pollution and destruction of green spaces is causing the destruction of oxygen-creating agents, phytoplankton in water (which at present produces 70% of the oxygen in air) and vegetation on land (which produces 30% of air oxygen). The risk now exists of more oxygen being used than is actually produced.
Background:
Analysis of ancient rocks shows that the oxygen content of the atmosphere peaked at 35 percent between 350 and 250 million years ago, at a time of lush Carboniferous forests and giant insects. Currently it is 21 percent.
One hectare of average forest supplies the oxygen need by 40 to 80 people.
Incidence:
The accelerating process of the destruction of oxygen is such that some scientists predict the combustion of all oxygen in the atmosphere in less than 2,000 years.
Broader Problems:
AnoxiaDeficiencyEnvironmental degradationDegradation of the atmosphere Narrower Problems:
Marine oxygen deficiencyOxygen depletion in inland water bodies Related Problems:
Shortage of fresh-water Long-term changes in atmospheric chemistry Aggravates:
Recurring mass extinctions of species Values:
Destructiveness Subject(s):
Environment → Environment ??Fundamental Sciences → Non-metallic chemical elements??
Societal Problems → Destruction??
Societal Problems → Inadequacy??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
10.04.2019 – 15:30 CEST