Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Hypoxic water refers to areas in bodies of water where oxygen levels are extremely low. This can occur as a result of algal blooms consuming oxygen or due to other factors like pollution and nutrient runoff.
Anoxia: A complete absence of oxygen in a body of water, which is even more severe than hypoxia.
Oxygen Depletion: The process by which dissolved oxygen levels decrease in a body of water, leading to hypoxia or anoxia.
Estuarine Hypoxia: Hypoxic conditions specifically occurring in estuaries, where freshwater and saltwater mix, often caused by excessive nutrient inputs from human activities.