Oxygen levels in Florida bay less than two parts per million; “Some of the lowest readings we’ve ever had” says expert

"In Perdido Bay... [near Pensacola, FL] oxygen levels recently tested at less than two parts per million. Below that level, organisms cannot survive," said Bob Shipp, head of the marine sciences department at the University of South Alabama.

"We monitor oxygen all the time and those are some of the lowest readings we've ever had," he added.

The Palm Beach Post reports, "Bacteria that thrive on the oil use up much of the oxygen in the water, causing fish to flee or die."