The purpose of this research is to contribute to and analyze new data on dissolved oxygen in the South Atlantic Ocean. With climate change and ocean temperatures rising, all oceans are predicted to continue to lose oxygen. This is a major environmental concern as oceans are vital ecosystems and their health is essential for a sustainable future. This study sampled dissolved oxygen, phosphate, and nitrate levels in a common South Atlantic crossing pathway from late December 2020 to early February 2021 using a Colorimeter. A total number of 17 samples were taken. Dissolved oxygen samples were found to have varying concentrations at an average level of 5.71 ppm. While this small sample size does not permit conclusive results, it adds to the analysis of the current state of dissolved oxygen of the sampled area and time, adding to the overall picture of dissolved oxygen in oceans. Further research and efforts to better understand the state of oceans are essential to the health of these environments. Doing this research opened my eyes to how important oceanographic research is. It is a massive and dynamic field that still needs research but is essential to continue learning and improving analysis. The oceans play an integral role in ecosystem services, including fisheries production, climate regulation, recreation, among others. This experience made me appreciate the work oceanographers do to better understand the ocean.
Author: Missy McDonnell
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Dumyahn, Institute for the Environment and Sustainability
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