LONG‐TERM CHANGES AND IMPACTS OF HYPOXIA IN DANISH COASTAL WATERS

Abstract

A 38‐year record of bottom‐water dissolved oxygen concentrations in coastal marine ecosystems around Denmark (1965–2003) and a longer, partially reconstructed record of total nitrogen (TN) inputs (1900–2003) were assembled with the purpose of describing long‐term patterns in hypoxia and anoxia. In addition, interannual variations in bottom‐water oxygen concentrations were analyzed in relation to various explanatory variables (bottom temperature, wind speed, advective transport, TN loading). Reconstructed TN loads peaked in the 1980s, with a gradual decline to the present, commensurate with a legislated nutrient reduction strategy. Mean bottom‐water oxygen concentrations during summer have significantly declined in coastal marine ecosystems, decreasing substantially during the 1980s and were extremely variable thereafter. Despite decreasing TN loads, the worst hypoxic event ever recorded in open waters occurred in 2002. For estuaries and coastal areas, bottom‐water oxygen concentrations were best described by TN input from land and wind speed in July–September, explaining 52% of the interannual variation in concentrations. For open sea areas, bottom‐water oxygen concentrations were also modulated by TN input from land; however, additional significant variables included advective transport of water and Skagerrak surface‐water temperature and explained 49% of interannual variations in concentrations. Reductions in the number of benthic species and alpha diversity were significantly related to the duration of the 2002 hypoxic event. Gradual decreases in diversity measures (number of species and alpha diversity) over the first 2–4 weeks show that the benthic community undergoes significant changes before the duration of hypoxia is severe enough to cause the community to collapse. Enhanced sediment–water fluxes of NH4+ and PO43− occur with hypoxia, increasing nutrient concentrations in the water column and stimulating additional phytoplankton production. Repeated hypoxic events have changed the character of benthic communities and how organic matter is processed in sediments. Our data suggest that repeated hypoxic events lead to an increase in susceptibility of Danish waters to eutrophication and further hypoxia.