Question

The Gulf of Mexico dead zone is an area of hypoxic waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its area varies in size, but can cover

up to 6,000 7,000 square miles. The zone occurs between the inner and mid-continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico
beginning at the Mississippi River delta and extending westward to the upper Texas coast. Thousands of farms are located along the
Mississippi River and its tributaries and as water washes into the river after a heavy rain, it brings with it nutrients from fertilizers
added to farmland. These materials flow downriver and eventually enter the Gulf of Mexico, where they create conditions for a dead
zone: an area of low to no oxygen that results in the death of fish and other marine life. The Gulf of Mexico is a major source area for
the seafood industry. The Gulf supplies 72% of US harvested shrimp. 66% of harvested oysters, and 16% of commercial fish
Consequently, if the hypoxic zone continues or worsens, fishermen and coastal state economies will be greatly impacted. What can be
done to minimize the Gulf dead zone? Choose ALL that could apply
A)
B)
Control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into
waterways
Adjust the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess
nutrients from farmland.
Monitor septic systems and sewage treatment facilities to reduce
discharge of nutrients to surface water and groundwater
Restrict land use in the areas surrounding the Mississippi delta to exclude
Industrial sites
Counter the effects of fertilizers on algal growth in the Gulf with the use
of chemical herbicides
D)
E

Answer 1

What is the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone? The Gulf of Mexico dead zone is an area of hypoxic (link to USGS definition) (less than 2 ppm dissolved oxygen) waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its area varies in size, but can cover up to 6,000-7,000 square miles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The things that should be done to minimize the Gulf dead zone include:

A. Control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into waterways.

B. Adjust the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland.

E. Counter the effects of fertilizers on algal growth in the Gulf with the use of chemical herbicides.

It should be noted that it's important to manage nutrients efficiently in farmlands through the restoration of wetlands in order to capture nutrients and then reduce runoff.

In order to minimize the Gulf dead zone, there should be control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into waterways. Also, there should be an adjustment of the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland.

Answer 2

The things that should be done to minimize the Gulf dead zone include:

A. Control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into waterways.

B. Adjust the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland.

E. Counter the effects of fertilizers on algal growth in the Gulf with the use of chemical herbicides.

It should be noted that it's important to manage nutrients efficiently in farmlands through the restoration of wetlands in order to capture nutrients and then reduce runoff.

In order to minimize the Gulf dead zone, there should be control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into waterways. Also, there should be an adjustment of the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland.