Question

central case the gulf of mexico’s dead zone
the changing size of the dead zone
the hypoxic zone, or area of low oxygen, in the gulf of mexico varies in size from year to year. the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa) supports research that measures and monitors the size of the dead zone in the gulf of mexico annually. the graph below shows the results of such research. this data helps scientists determine which factors cause the dead zone to grow or shrink.
most analyses show that the biggest factor in the size of the dead zone is the amount of nitrogen and other nutrients that reaches the gulf from the mississippi river watershed each spring. the u.s. geological survey (usgs) measures the amount of nitrogen that reaches the gulf each year and correlates that amount with the size of the dead zone. its scientists have found that when the amount of nitrogen creases, the size of the dead zone creases. currently there are several ns to reduce the size of the dead e to an acceptable level, indicated by the action plan goal line on the graph.
although the dead zone is fueled by nitrogen runoff, scientists know that short - term weather patterns can also have an effect on the size of the hypoxic region. for example, when the region experiences periods of extreme weather, the heavy winds and wave activity cause more oxygen to infuse into the waters—counteracting the effects of nitrogen runoff and slowing the growth of the dead zone. scientists feel it is important to track and account for these short - term effects, in the model they are developing to study the dead zone as well. this way, they will be able to establish a link between fertilizer runoff and size of the dead zone without having the data skewed due to weather effects. establishing a good model with all the data available can help achieve the goals needed to reach acceptable levels. with the dead zone reduced in size, the gulf of mexico can then be restored for fishing and recreation.

name class date
1: analy

1. what is the \biggest factor\ causing the dead zone to grow, and what direct correlation have scientists found?
2. how can \short - term weather patterns\ like heavy winds and waves temporarily reduce the dead zone’s size?
3. according to the text, what is the ultimate goal of reducing the dead zone?

part 2: research and propose a solution
the text mentions \several plans to reduce the size of the dead zone.\ research one of these plans and describe it below.

1. describe a solution: based on your research, describe one specific plan or method proposed to reduce the nitrogen runoff that causes the dead zone.

Explanation:

1. The biggest factor is the amount of nitrogen and other nutrients reaching the Gulf from the Mississippi River watershed each spring. Scientists have found a direct - positive correlation: when the amount of nitrogen increases, the size of the dead zone increases.
2. Heavy winds and waves cause more oxygen to infuse into the waters, counteracting the effects of nitrogen runoff and slowing the growth of the dead zone.
3. The ultimate goal is to reduce the dead zone to an acceptable level so that the Gulf of Mexico can be restored for fishing and recreation.

Answer:

1. The biggest factor is the amount of nitrogen and other nutrients from the Mississippi River watershed in spring. There is a direct positive correlation between nitrogen amount and dead - zone size.
2. They cause more oxygen to infuse into the waters, counteracting nitrogen - runoff effects.
3. To restore the Gulf of Mexico for fishing and recreation by reducing the dead zone to an acceptable level.