The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone is an area roughly the size of Massachusetts that forms along the Louisiana- Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico. In this region, nutrients from the Mississippi River enter the ocean and cause large algal blooms. Once these algal blooms die, the decomposition process depletes the ocean waters of dissolved oxygen suffocating fish and sea life. Given the observations you made about waterflows in the United States, why is the Gulf of Mexico particularly susceptible to having a hypoxic zone driven by nutrient pollution?
- The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone is an area roughly the size of Massachusetts that forms along the Louisiana- Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico. In this region, nutrients from the Mississippi River enter the ocean and cause large algal blooms. Once these algal blooms die, the decomposition process depletes the ocean waters of dissolved oxygen suffocating fish and sea life. Given the observations you made about waterflows in the United States, why is the Gulf of Mexico particularly susceptible to having a hypoxic zone driven by nutrient pollution?
Hypoxic waters have very low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. They are also called dead zones of water bodies. This type of condition has significant influence on behaviour of aquatic flora and fauna.
The Mississippi river is one of the largest watershed in the world and home to several species of fish, birds, amphibians and mammals. It is also famous for various nature based entertainment activities like fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, cultural sites visiting etc. These recreational activities are obviously needed for economical growth of communities but it also need to be sustainable. As urban activities demand more and more from river it continuously put stress on natural conditions. Merging with population growth and increasing demand for drinking water, frequent floods and drought cycles are common sights now. Plastic wastes are also another concern. Prolonged urban activities can significantly impact on nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in soil.
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