Fast-growing "dead zone" devoid of oxygen in Gulf of Oman found

London, April 28: Researchers of a British university have brought to light the existence of a fast-growing "dead zone" devoid of oxygen in the Gulf of Oman, spelling environmental disater for fish and marine plants in the area, as well as for people reliant on the ocean for food and employment.

University of East Anglia (UEA) researchers have confirmed a dramatic decrease in oxygen in the Gulf of Oman, in an area larger than Scotland, using underwater robots called Seagliders that can reach depths of 1,000 metres, a release from the university said on Friday.

The study led by UEA, in collaboration with Oman's Sultan Qaboos University, collected data in areas of water previously inaccessible due to piracy and geo-political tensions.

"New research from the University of East Anglia has confirmed a dramatic decrease in oxygen in the Gulf of Oman part of the Arabian Sea. But the environmental disaster is worse than expected," UEA said.