A new study shows that global oceans have become increasingly darker over the past two decades, leaving researchers worried about ocean residents.
Professor Thomas Davies of the University of Plymouth said that in a study published in the Journal of Global Change Biology, marine ecosystems are becoming increasingly concerned.
Satellite data from NASA's Ocean Color Network Data Portal shows that 21% of the Earth's oceans turned black between 2003 and 2022.
According to Davis, most marine life lives in the optical areas of the ocean, where enough light penetrates to stimulate the photobiological process.
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Over the past two decades, oceans around the world have become increasingly dark, causing researchers to worry about ocean residents. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)
The light zone with a depth of 200 meters is where the global nutrient and carbon budgets maintain the planetary fish market.
This is the area where light reaches the ocean life, bringing ocean life closer to the ocean.
These ocean residents rely on moonlight and sunlight to hunt, mating, breeding and other important milestones.
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A new study says the darkness of the ocean may affect marine life around the world. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The upper layer of the ocean is a place for microscopic organisms and different types of plankton.
As the ocean begins to darken, it will lead to creatures that rely on light to begin to approach the surface, creating a narrow living space.
Davis uses satellite data and algorithm-derived measurements for seawater attenuation to measure the depth of each optical region around the world.
In the dark ocean, their 9% light area is 50 meters shallower, while 3% of the ocean's optical area is 100 meters shallower.
The study says dark oceans may drive marine life toward the ground, resulting in narrow living spaces. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, file)
The reasoning behind the distant ocean darkness is not very clear.
The study said global warming and changes in ocean currents were thought to be involved in this phenomenon.
The study found that despite overall darkening, about 10% of the oceans or 37 million square kilometers of kilometers were lighter in the past 20 years.
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It also found that light in most coastal areas increased. However, the study found that this does not translate into a net reduction in depth of light areas near the coastline.
Davies predicts that the impact of ocean blackening may be severe for marine food networks, global fisheries, and carbon and nutrition budgets.
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Do you have any tips? Contact nick.butler@fox.com.
