the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem
Dead zones are low-oxygen, or hypoxic, areas in the world’s oceans and lakes. Because most organisms need oxygen to live, few organisms can survive in hypoxic conditions. That is way these areas are called dead zones. Dead zones in the coastal oceans have spread exponentially since the 1960s and have serious consequences for ecosystem functioning. One of the largest dead zones forms in the Gulf of Mexico every spring. Hypoxic zones can occur naturally but climate change, nutrients run-off from the land, and eutrophication are leading to algal bloom and causing further depletion of oxygen level in water. As a result dead zones are spreading at much faster pace. Consequences of spreading of Dead Zones on Marine Ecosystem •The reduced dissolved oxygen in ocean water results in loss of marine life thus the habitats which were once teeming with life are transformed into biological deserts. •Elevated nutrient levels and algal blooms can also cause problems in drinking water ...