Question

Severe seasonal hypoxia, often exacerbated by human activities, in natural water systems is a global issue, and there are several significant hypoxic zones in the United States. Name one of the major hypoxic zones in the United States, and discuss the physical and biological causes for its formation, consequences to biota, and possible mitigation strategies

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Answer 1

Gulf of Mexico

The physical causes can include oil spills, industrial waste etc.

The biological cause starts with algal blooms fue to high nutrient in the water body. These alagal blooms reach maximum growth and then start dying which is why they sink to the floor of the water body where bacteria start to degrade them decreasing oxygen levels causing hypoxia.

As a result of hypoxia, the dissolved oxygen reduces and all the life forms depending on oxygen start to die out.