Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone

Abstract

The movement of pollutants, particularly the nutrient nitrogen (N), through the Mississippi River Basin into the Gulf of Mexico has led to the formation of a large area of low-oxygen, or hypoxic, waters each summer in the Gulf. Nitrogen-containing compounds, particularly agricultural fertilizers, carried into the Gulf from point and non-point sources located throughout the large drainage basin threaten the survival of fish, shrimp, and other components of the marine ecosystem. With warmer conditions, longer growing seasons resulting in greater fertilizer use, and more stormwater runoff expected with climate change, the problem is likely to worsen with time. In this unit, you’ll consider three options for reducing N inputs from croplands: planting buffer strips, constructing a drainage water recycling basin, and utilizing a created wetland. Your suggested solution will both consider the needs of a diversity of stakeholders and lead to meaningful reductions in N inputs to the Gulf.