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Gulf
NOAA and Louisiana Scientists Predict Largest Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” on Record This Summer
Mississippi River Flooding is Major Contributor to Size of this Year's Dead Zone
July 15, 2008
NOAA-supported scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Louisiana State University are forecasting that the “dead zone” off the coast of Louisiana and Texas in the Gulf of Mexico this summer could be the largest on record.
The researchers are predicting the area could measure a record 8,800 square miles, or roughly the size of New Jersey. In 2007, the dead zone was 7,903 square miles. The largest dead zone on record was in 2002, when it measured 8,481 square miles. The official measurement of this year’s dead zone is slated to be released in late July. Researchers began taking regular measurements of the dead zone in 1985.
"The prediction of a large dead zone this summer is due to a combination of large influx of nitrogen and exceptionally high flows from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers,” said LSU scientist R. Eugene Turner.
The dead zone is an area in the Gulf of Mexico where seasonal oxygen levels drop too low to support most life in bottom and near-bottom waters. This low oxygen, or hypoxic, area is primarily caused by high nutrient levels, which stimulates an overgrowth of algae that sinks and decomposes. The decomposition process in turn depletes dissolved oxygen in the water. The dead zone is of particular concern because it threatens valuable commercial and recreational Gulf fisheries.
Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth
Gulf
NOAA and Louisiana Scientists Predict Largest Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” on Record This Summer
Yet, people continue to insist there is not a problem.
Originally posted by Voxel
What, exactly, is the problem that you think people deny?
It has to do with the offshore oil refineries, yet that is taboo to discuss.
Also after the hurricanes much of the natural habitats are dwindling and at high risk.
Dumping from non restricted areas off Mexico's gulf coast has also contributed to the growing problem.
Originally posted by TheRedneck
I just think the real issue is all that trash that antar brought up. That is nothing more than the result of people who do not care, and it profits no one. If we could somehow get people to simply pick up after themselves, we could accomplish many many times what the GW fear-mongers even hope to accomplish for the environment. And it wouldn't hurt our economy.
TheRedneck