Scientists supported by NOAA have reported that this year’s Gulf of America hypoxic zone measures about 1,332 square miles, marking it as the second smallest in 40 years. Hypoxic zones, often referred to as “dead zones,” lack sufficient oxygen, adversely affecting marine life, including fish and shellfish. The survey, conducted by Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium aboard the research vessel Pelican from July 24-30, revealed a smaller hypoxic area than expected, attributed to Tropical Storm Bertha, which mixed oxygen-rich waters to the seabed.
Timothy Petty, NOAA’s assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere, emphasized the importance of measuring these zones for understanding the interconnectivity of land, waterways, and oceans. Data collected over the past 40 years will help develop better management strategies to mitigate future impacts on fisheries and tourism.
Hypoxic zones form when excess nutrients from the Mississippi River promote algal blooms, which deplete oxygen as they decompose. Although NOAA initially predicted a larger hypoxic area of 7,027 square miles, the actual measurement fell outside the forecast due to the storm’s influence. The Mississippi River/Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force aims to reduce the hypoxic zone to fewer than 1,900 square miles by 2035 through collaborative nutrient reduction strategies.
