In Indian culture, the concept of samsara refers to the cycle of life. In Western science, samsara can be thought of as the cycle of biological matter: a cycle in which plants produce food and oxygen through a process called photosynthesis, using sunlight and carbon dioxide. Animals use oxygen to digest the plants they eat, releasing carbon dioxide in the process. This continuous cycle supports life in nature, as long as there is enough oxygen.
However, in some watery areas, there is a lack of oxygen. Estuaries — areas connecting a stream or river to the sea — are one type of oxygen-deficient place. Oxygen deficiency is very noticeable in the deep, salty, and turbid waters of Israel’s estuaries. This article explains the processes that lead to this oxygen deficiency, which threatens the health of ecosystems, and suggests ways to lessen it.
Citation: Suari, Y., Sedaka, H., Sade, T., Blumenfeld, T., & Topaz, T. (2025). What causes lack of oxygen in the estuaries of coastal streams? Frontiers for Young Minds, 13, 1701304. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2025.1701304