NOAA Announces Runoff Leads to Largest Dead Zone in Gulf of Mexico

Earth – Following a Polar Ice Melt” by Kevin Gill licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: Weather.com

This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the largest dead zone ever measured in the Gulf of Mexico.

A dead zone forms when nitrogen-rich pollution flows in the ocean from farmlands; that area of the ocean is then depleted of normal oxygen levels, causing algae blooms in many cases, and making marine life impossible in those areas.

The dead zone is more than 8700 square miles – roughly the size of New Jersey.

The report, put together by the environmental organization Mighty Earth, determined the source of pollution as the meat industry, pointing out the largest meat supplier, Tyson Foods and calling on it to ensure that its farms are implementing more sustainable, environmentally responsible practices.

Read full story at: Weather.com

Environment, News
Environment, News