Devil in the Deep Blue Sea 1 | Page 2

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What is it? By: MVenne

What are Dead Zones?

Dead zones are areas with extremely low oxygen content. The depletion of oxygen comes from eutrophication, which is an increase in chemical nutrients and this leads to excessive algae blooms. Nitrogen and Phosphorus are the primary culprits that increase algae blooms and they usually come from agricultural runoff. The depletion of oxygen causes many aquatic creatures to die, therefore, they can’t eat the excessive algae and it will continue to grow and take over the habitat. (smithsonianmag, NOVEMBER 10, 2014)

Most Severe Dead Zones

"This picture he zone occurs between the inner and mid-continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico, beginning at the Mississippi River delta and extending westward to the upper Texas coast."

Serc.carleton, Monica Bruckner

Serc.carleton, Monica Bruckner