Description:
Areas where the bottom water of the sea is anoxic--meaning that it has very low (or zero) concentration of dissolved oxygen--are known as "dead zones." The apparent cause of these zones is agricultural runoff, specifically fertilizer. However, scientists are discovering that not all dead zones are due to pollution, but are also caused by restrictions in water circulation. NASA's Earth Observatory web site provides a summary of this issue, with links. If the "glossary on" button is selected, key words become hotlinks to definitions.

Organization:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

URL:
http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/CAMPAIGN_DOCS/OCDST/dead_zones.html

Contact:
David Herring, dherring@climate.gsfc.nasa.gov, Mail Stop 913.0, Building 33, Greenbelt MD 20771; Phone: (301) 286-8955 

Cost:
Free over the Internet

Education Level:
General

Subject:
Oceanography - Biological
Oceanography -Physical
Pollution

Resource Type:
Internet Site

Date Added to teachearth.com:
12/11/00