Chapter 16 -- Dead Zones
How many current dead zones are there?
500+ Dead Zones, they normally occur around where large rivers empty into oceans
What consumes the remaining oxygen in dead zones?
Aerobic bacteria
What do bacteria need to survive?
Dead stuff and oxygen
KNOW THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT LEADS TO THE DEAD ZONE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO...
Draw a picture?
Why is corn production increasing?
Growing for bio-fuels This has resulted in increasing fertilizer use and nutrient runoff
What are dead zones?
Hypoxic (low oxygen) areas in the world's oceans and large lakes, caused by excessive nutrient pollution from human activity. this depletes the oxygen required to support marine life.
Where do excess nutrients come from?
Mississippi river basin?
Define dissolved oxygen (OG)
Oxygen produced by aquatic plants is called Dissolved Oxygen when it is released into the water
Who do dead zones affect?
People who eat shrimp, fishing, farming techniques, etc.
How does water gets its oxygen?
Photosynthesis from aquatic plants
What is the difference between phytoplankton and benthic plants?
Phytoplankton means free floating and benthic plants are rooted to the bottom of the waterbody
How does the phytoplankton cuase this area to become hypoxic?
The algal mat blocks the sunlight to reaching plants on the bottom of the ocean floor. This stop the process of photosynthesis