Post

“Dead Zones” remain average

Research from the University of Michigan says the “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico will remain average.  A dead zone is an oxygen-depleted region in a body of water caused by algae blooms.  In the Gulf of Mexico, the dead zone is predicted to be about the size of Connecticut.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which funds the project, also monitors algae blooms in the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.  The Administration estimates less nitrogen runoff from this past May, but an increase in phosphorus levels in the Gulf.

While average forecasts in the zones haven’t increased significantly in the last decade, researchers say an improvement in water quality is needed.  The report says dead zones are the result of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from agriculture.