What happens to dissolved oxygen levels as water temperature increases?

As water temperature increases, the levels of dissolved oxygen decrease. This phenomenon occurs because warm water can hold less dissolved oxygen than cold water. The solubility of oxygen in water is inversely proportional to temperature; as the water heats up, the kinetic energy of the water molecules increases, allowing oxygen molecules to escape from the water into the atmosphere. Consequently, the concentration of dissolved oxygen diminishes, which can significantly impact aquatic life. Many aquatic organisms rely on a certain level of dissolved oxygen to survive, and decreases in oxygen levels can lead to stress or even death for those organisms.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for environmental management and assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems, especially in conditions where water bodies may experience thermal pollution or changes in climate that affect temperature.