'Up well,' is the term given to the combination of deep ocean currents and winds from the north working together to raise the oxygen depleted waters of the ocean floor to the surface for replenishment. 'Dead zones' are created when there is no added oxygen to the deep water, or there is a heavy die off of nutrients that create bio matts that suffocate all life on the ocean floor. Either one or a combination of both create areas where there is no life or 'dead zones.' Scientists have long been aware of dead zones, but what has recently alarmed them is the frequency with which they are occurring. Part of the problem they now think has to do with the heating of the planet which is warming the surface waters. The warmer water acts as a cap holding the oxygen starved deeper water down, not allowing it to the surface for the air exchange that it needs to sustain life. Recently thousands of dead Dungeness crabs have been found littering the ocean floor off the north western coast of North America. This piece is about 'dead zones.' The darker blues and green gels at the base of the wood are the deep ocean currents moving towards the warmer green water or cap at the top of the piece. The light blue gels are the winds pushing the water. The circular black wire that surrounds the red wire crab represents the dead zone.
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