Oceans darken, shrinking sunlit zone for marine life

A new study reveals that over 20% of the world's oceans have experienced a shrinking photic zone, the sunlit layer vital for marine life. This reduction threatens the habitats of numerous species. Scientists used satellite data and modeling to show the photic zone's depth has decreased, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic. This darkening is likely due to increased sediment, organic matter, and changes in ocean circulation. The shrinking photic zone, where photosynthesis occurs, could lead to increased competition for resources and fundamental changes in marine ecosystems, impacting the air we breathe and the fish we eat.