The ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico is already bigger than the state of Connecticut

RT en Español 5 August 2021

The so-called ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico, an area with little or no oxygen that can kill fish and all marine life, is larger than average this year ,  the National Oceanic Administration announced Tuesday. and US Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This phenomenon, which is repeated every year, is mainly caused by pollution from human activities in urban and agricultural areas throughout the Mississippi River basin. Excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen flow into the Gulf of Mexico stimulating excessive growth of algae, which die and decompose. During the process, oxygen is depleted.

The scientists determined that that year the area, extended off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas, covers approximately 16,405 square kilometers , a size larger than the state of Connecticut. The area is three times greater than that registered in 2020, although experts explain that the measurements can be very different from one year to the next and that to understand the true dynamics of the phenomenon, the important thing is to average several years.

During the last five years, the average size of the ‘dead zone’ was estimated at 13,934 square kilometers, almost triple the goal set for 2035 to reduce the average to less than 5,000 square kilometers, reports AP.

“The distribution of low dissolved oxygen was unusual this summer ,” said researcher Nancy Rabalais, explaining that the low concentrations were recorded very close to shore and in some observations even a complete lack of oxygen was seen.

Although the US has an action plan to reduce the amount of pollutants that influence the formation of this hypoxic area, experts argue that the impact of climate change must also be considered to address the problem.

“This year we have seen time and again the profound effect climate change has on our communities, from historic drought in the West to flooding. Weather is directly linked to water , including the flow of nutrient pollution into the Gulf of Mexico,” said Radhika Fox of the Environmental Protection Agency.

–En Español

La ‘zona muerta’ en el golfo de México es ya más grande que el estado de Connecticut

La llamada ‘zona muerta’ en el golfo de México, un área con muy poca o ninguna presencia de oxígeno que puede acabar con los peces y con toda vida marina, este año es más grande que el promedio, anunció el martes la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica de EE.UU. (NOAA, por sus siglas en inglés).

Este fenómeno, que se repite cada año, es causado principalmente por la contaminación por actividades humanas en zonas urbanas y agrícolas de toda la cuenca del río Misisipi. El exceso de nutrientes como el fósforo y el nitrógeno fluye hacia el golfo de México estimulando un crecimiento excesivo de las algas, que mueren y se descomponen. Durante el proceso, el oxígeno se agota.

Los científicos determinaron que ese año el área, extendida frente a las costas de Luisiana y Texas, cubre aproximadamente 16.405 kilómetros cuadrados, un tamaño más grande que el estado de Connecticut. La superficie es tres veces mayor a la registrada en 2020, aunque los expertos explican que las mediciones pueden ser muy diferentes de un año a otro y que para entender la verdadera dinámica del fenómeno lo importante es realizar un promedio de varios años.