The Dead Zone

Objective: as a group, use the images and recommended resources to develop a plausible
hypothesis that explains the Dead Zone in the North East Gulf.

Using the information gathered, design an experiment to test your hypothesis.

Focus Question: What causes hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions that produce the “Dead
Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico?

Background:

In Aug 1972, scientists first discovered severe oxygen depletion in the benthic (bottom)
waters in the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 10 – 20 meters. Since then, numerous studies
have found large areas in the Gulf where summertime DO levels drop from normal values of
about 7 parts per milligram (ppm, or mg oxygen per kilogram of water) to 2 ppm or less. IN
1985, annual surveys were begun to map the extent of this seasonally hypoxic (oxygen
depleted) region. Because DO levels below 2 ppm cause suffocation in many fish species,
this region has come to be known as the “Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone”.

Resources to Investigate:
http://www.gulfhypoxia.net/

http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/hypoxia/

http://toxics.usgs.gov/hypoxia/

https://www.smm.org/deadzone/top.html

www.epa.gov/msbasin
Resources to Investigate:
http://www.gulfhypoxia.net/

http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/hypoxia/

http://toxics.usgs.gov/hypoxia/

https://www.smm.org/deadzone/top.html

www.epa.gov/msbasin

Resources to Investigate:
http://www.gulfhypoxia.net/

http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/hypoxia/

http://toxics.usgs.gov/hypoxia/

https://www.smm.org/deadzone/top.html

www.epa.gov/msbasin

Resources to Investigate:
http://www.gulfhypoxia.net/
http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/hypoxia/

http://toxics.usgs.gov/hypoxia/

https://www.smm.org/deadzone/top.html

www.epa.gov/msbasin