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How does dissolved oxygen vary among Mediterranean Sea water layers?

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Map of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding regions, showing physical features such as sea basins and depths, major coastal cities, country boundaries, and islands. The map includes a small locator inset highlighting the Mediterranean area within Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Mediterranean Sea

In the Mediterranean Sea, levels of dissolved oxygen vary significantly depending on the origin and depth of the different water masses:

  • Surface Layer: Extending down to 700 feet (210 metres), this layer maintains a high level of dissolved oxygen throughout the entire sea.1
  • Intermediate Layer: Formed by the sinking of surface water in the eastern basin, this layer is initially high in oxygen. However, as it moves westward, its oxygen content decreases, reaching its lowest values in the Algerian Basin.1
  • Transition Layer: The zone situated between the intermediate and deep water layers contains the lowest levels of dissolved oxygen in the Mediterranean.1

These variations are driven by the sea's complex hydrodynamics, which involve distinct surface, intermediate, and deep water masses.2