What is hypoxia?
Hypoxia, or low oxygen, is an environmental phenomenon where the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water column decreases to a level that can no longer support living aquatic organisms. Hypoxic areas, or “Dead Zones,” have increased in duration and frequency across our planet’s oceans since first being noted in the 1970s.
The largest hypoxic zone currently affecting the United States, and the second largest hypoxic zone worldwide, is the northern Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the Mississippi River.
Gulf hypoxia in the news:
Price of Shrimp Impacted by Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone”
By NOAA January 30, 2017 The low oxygen conditions slow shrimp growth, leading to fewer and more expensive large shrimp A NOAA-funded study led by Duke University has found that the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” drives [...]
Near Record Farm Pollution Found in Mississippi River
By Emily Cassidy - EWG AgMagJune 15, 2016Near record concentrations of farm pollution were measured flowing down the Mississippi River in May, according to a recently published report. The big river's nitrogen concentration is nearing [...]
Less fertilizer in Illinois River good news for Gulf of Mexico
Less fertilizer in Illinois River good news for Gulf of Mexico By David Mercer - Associated PressMay 17, 2016CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The flow of nitrates from farm fertilizer and treated wastewater into the Illinois River [...]
Scientists: Gulf dead zone will decrease to average level
Scientists: Gulf dead zone will decrease to average level By Jacob Batte - Daily CometJune 9, 2016Scientists project the Gulf of Mexico dead zone along Louisiana's coast that has dangerously low oxygen will decrease but [...]
2016 Forecast: Summer Hypoxic Zone Size Northern Gulf of Mexico
2016 Forecast: Summer Hypoxic Zone Size Northern Gulf of Mexico By R. Eugene Turner and Nancy N. RabalaisJune 06, 2016Link to PDF: 2016 Forecast: Summer Hypoxic Zone Size Northern Gulf of Mexico
WIDESPREAD LOSS OF OCEAN OXYGEN TO BECOME NOTICEABLE IN 2030S
WIDESPREAD LOSS OF OCEAN OXYGEN TO BECOME NOTICEABLE IN 2030S By American Geophysical Union and the University Corporation for Atmospheric ResearchApril 27, 2016WASHINGTON, DC-A drop in the amount of oxygen dissolved in the oceans due [...]
Global Warming Is Starving West Coast Waters of Oxygen
Global Warming Is Starving West Coast Waters of Oxygen By John Upton - Climate CentralMay 02, 2016 Just west of Los Angeles, decimated populations of spiny rockfish rummage for prey among bush-like corals. Cold currents [...]