RECLESS studies oxygen depleted areas in the ocean, which play a major role in the Earth’s climate by influencing the uptake and release of greenhouse gases. However, gaps in our understanding of the underlying microbial dynamics prohibit robust predictions of how this will evolve in the future ocean.

RECLESS uses a novel multidisciplinary approach combining oceanographic, biogeochemical, microbiological, and modelling studies to create the first comprehensive global microbial ecosystem model for oxygen depleted marine systems.

The model will help scientists predict how ongoing deoxygenation impacts nitrogen cycling, nitrogen loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and the overall carbon cycle.