Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico the Size of New Jersey

Massive Dead Zone in Gulf of Mexico is Larger Than New Jersey

For decades, an oxygen-depleted "dead zone" has haunted the Gulf of Mexico, and this year it's bigger than ever. Appearing off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas, the zone has reached a staggering size of 6,705 square miles, according to a report by federal scientists.

What is a Dead Zone?

"Nutrient pollution impacts waterbodies across the country and, in the Gulf of Mexico, it has resulted in a dead zone where low to no oxygen does not support fish and marine life." - Bruno Pigott, acting assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Water.

Dead zones, also known as hypoxia, are areas at the bottom of a body of water with insufficient oxygen to support marine life. They are caused by nutrient runoff, primarily from excessive fertilizer use on farms. Despite efforts by officials to reduce runoff, this issue persists.

The Impact:
The Gulf of Mexico's dead zone can suffocate marine life, including fish, shrimp, and crabs. It's about 3.5 times bigger than the 2025 reduction target. According to a 2018 Science journal study, even if nutrient runoff was eliminated, it would take at least three decades for the Gulf to recover.

Links:

• NOAA: Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Larger Than Average, Scientists Find
• NOAA: NOAA forecasts above-average summer dead zone in Gulf of Mexico
• Science Journal: Temporal trends and drivers of hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico