Bay 'dead zone' bigger than predicted By Tim Wheeler, Baltimore SunJuly 28, 2009The fish-stressing "dead zone" in the Chesapeake Bay is bigger than predicted this summer, scientists say. Just about a month ago, University of Michigan scientists had forecast that the amount of oxygen-starved water in the Chesapeake should be much lower than average for the troubled estuary.  [...]

Climate Change and the Scary Jellyfish Scourge By Andrew Freedman, Washington PostAugust 3, 2009 This summer has seen its share of odd climate change-related science stories. A running theme has been changes in the size and abundance of species as a result of human activities. For example, in June it was reported that jellyfish are [...]

Dead Zone in Gulf Is Smaller Than Forecast but More Concentrated in Parts By HENRY FOUNTAIN July 28, 2009, The New York TimesScientists said Monday that the region of oxygen-starved water in the northern Gulf of Mexico this summer was smaller than forecast, which means less disruption of shrimp, crabs and other marine species, and [...]

'Dead zone' strategy rattles farm interests By pbeeman@dmreg.com The fight over the Gulf of Mexico's "dead zone" - a problem scientists say can be traced in large part to Iowa and its sister farming states - has ramped up as the Obama administration considers a regulatory attack on the problem.    Suzanne Schwartz, who directs [...]

Dead zone seen making a dent in fishing efforts By Nikki Buskey, Staff WriterSaturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:01 a.m., HOUMA COURIERHOUMA — Scientists and fishermen are feeling the effects of this year’s annual Gulf dead zone, which lurks unusually close to the coast. Even though the area of oxygen-starved ocean is smaller than predicted [...]

In 12 years, minimal progress combating dead zone By Robert Zullo, Senior Staff WriterWednesday, July 29, 2009 at 12:00 p.m., HOUMA COURIERHOUMA — Though the area of oxygen-depleted water this year in the Gulf of Mexico is half as big as predicted, scientists say that doesn’t foreshadow a shrinking trend. And while a task force [...]

Decrease in size of gulf's 'dead zone' is encouraging By Leslie Holloway, Jefferson City Director, State and Local Governmental Affairs, Missouri Farm Bureau08/06/2009, St. Louis Today Commentary   The researchers quoted in the article "Smaller 'dead zone' belies water quality" (July 28) caution against reading too much into the significant decrease in the size of [...]

New Wetland Sites Dedicated To Help Reduce Nitrates By Dan VoigtAugust 6, 2009Emmetsburg News Article Photos      CREP?GROUNDBREAKING - A 550 acre site east of Graettinger was one of two locations in Palo Alto County that broke ground for a new Conservation Resource Enhancement Program on Tuesday. Various entities were on hand to witness [...]

Gulf Dead Zone Looks Smaller, but Appearances Deceive By By Brandon Keim, Wired Science at Wired.comJuly 28, 2009The infamous Gulf of Mexico dead zone looks smaller than predicted this year, but scientists say the reprieve is just temporary, and barely even a reprieve. Some worry that more pollution could cause the Gulf’s ecosystem to collapse. [...]

Controlling farm runoff could have multiple benefits By Mark Steil, Minnesota Public Radio August 5, 2009 Tracey, Minn. — A big contributor to the Gulf of Mexico's 'dead zone' is farmland runoff, but a new approach to farmland drainage may help reduce its size. The problem starts when farm runoff, containing a lot of nitrogen [...]