Sacramento Aug 2 (IANS) Scientists discovered that the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone” had grown larger than average this year, posing a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems in the region.
The “dead zone” is the area of low to no oxygen that spans approximately 17,365 square kilometres, making it the 12th largest zone recorded in 38 years of measurements, according to the annual survey conducted by researchers supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and published Thursday.
Scientifically known as hypoxia, the “dead zone” occurs when excess nutrients from agricultural runoff and other sources flow into the Gulf via the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin, Xinhua news agency reported.
These nutrients fuel algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water. The resulting low-oxygen environment forces fish and other marine life to flee or face death.
The “dead zone” has substantial environmental and economic impacts. Studies have shown that hypoxia alters fish diets, growth rates, reproduction, and habitat use, with implications for commercially important species like shrimp.
It affects an area of habitat roughly the size of New Jersey state.
“The area of bottom-water hypoxia was larger than predicted by the Mississippi River discharge and nitrogen load for 2024 but within the range experienced over the nearly four decades that this research cruise has been conducted,” said Nancy Rabalais, professor at Louisiana State University and co-chief scientist for the research cruise, in the press release.
The annual dead zone measurement is a crucial metric revealing the efforts of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force, a state/federal partnership which has set an ambitious goal of reducing the five-year average extent to less than 4,921 square kilometres by 2035.
However, the current five-year average is 11,131 square kilometres, highlighting the situation’s urgency and the significant challenge ahead.
“We must measure this region’s hypoxia as an indicator of ocean health, particularly under a changing climate and potential intensification of storms and increases in precipitation and runoff,” said Nicole LeBoeuf, assistant administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service.
–IANS
int/rs/svn
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
