Severe oxygen depletion is plaguing Danish waters, reaching levels unseen in 22 years and threatening marine life. A new report from Aarhus University’s Department of Ecoscience warns of an approaching ecological disaster, with affected areas already comparable in size to the islands of Funen and Lolland.

The current oxygen depletion surpasses that of the previous year and is primarily attributed to warm weather combined with high nitrogen levels, fostering algae blooms that consume oxygen. Dead fish have already been observed in Haderslev Fjord, one of the worst-hit areas, signaling the dire consequences for marine wildlife.

The primary source of nitrogen pollution is agricultural runoff. The Danish Agriculture & Food Council acknowledges the severity of the issue and emphasizes the need for action, advocating for measures like taking low-lying land out of cultivation and creating wetlands to reduce nitrogen emissions.

Negotiations on nitrogen regulation, set to take effect in 2027, are expected to be convened by Minister Jeppe Bruus in the coming weeks. The Danish Society for Nature Conservation is urging for stricter regulations on the most harmful fields and a reduction in agricultural emissions.

The situation could improve with strong winds, but the current weather forecast offers no such relief. The newly released report is the first of four expected in the coming months, which will continue to monitor the evolving situation.