In 2012, the oxygen saturation (dissolved oxygen) level at the bottom layer of the southern Barents Sea was much lower than the 1958-2012 long-term average, and was lower than observed in 2011. The oxygen-saturation anomaly — averaged fromJanuary to September — was –2.14% in 2012, compared to –0.79% in 2011 (Figure 4.2.12). The largest negative anomaly occurred during the first half of the year. In 2013, oxygen saturation in the Kola section increased and was slightly above the long-term average.
The average level of oxygen-saturation observed from January through September 2013 was 0.35% (McBride et al., 2014).
Figure 4.2.12. Monthly (black) and annual (green) oxygen-saturation anomalies at the bottom layer of the Kola section (Murman Current) over the 1958–2013 period (Anon., 2013).