How does too much sunlight affect the oxygen levels in the water?

Question

anonymous · Answer

From a chemistry perspective, the solubility of a gas /decreases/ as temperature rises (the opposite of the solubility of a solid). More sunlight = higher temperature = Decrease in solubility of O2.

There may be a biological aspect to this as well...perhaps @jc7 can help you out there? Can eutrophication of some sort occur in response to too much sunlight?

anonymous · Answer

The question doesn't say anything about what organisms are in the water. If we're talking pure water, @kma230 is right on. If we're talking natural bodies of water with algae and cyanobacteria, then too much light may cause photobleaching (damage to the photosynthetic systems) and that would also interfere with oxygen production. Eutrophication usually requires presence of phosphates or organic nitrogen compounds that are limiting for the growth of photosynthetic algae in the water column.

anonymous · Answer

in salt water

anonymous · Answer

fresh water or salt water, same effects.