Decadal change in deep-ocean dissolved oxygen in the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean

Declining dissolved oxygen concentrations are documented at upper and mid ocean depths, but less is known about the deep ocean. Long time-series measurements of dissolved oxygen analyzed with Winkler titration over several decades reveal regional differences at six stations in the abyssal North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean. A significant decline in dissolved oxygen was evident at two stations in the northeast Pacific Ocean at 4000–4200 m depth (Stations PAPA and M). A similar decreasing but insignificant trend was recorded in the Arctic region of the North Atlantic Ocean (HAUSGARTEN). However, there was no significant decrease in dissolved oxygen at two temperate stations in the North Atlantic Ocean (PAP, BATS) and at one tropical station in the central North Pacific Ocean (ALOHA) all at similar depths >4000 m over similar time periods. Continued long time-series observations will be needed to monitor global deep ocean processes and the impact of changing climate. We compare these rare long-term observations with model estimations from historical (1850–2014) and projected (2015–2100) forcing under a continued high greenhouse gas emission scenario.