Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico 07/03/2002
Dec 26, 2015
Eutrophication is a natural process taking place in water-characterized by a development towards an environment rich in nutrients and increased primary productivity.
Human activities have greatly increased the rate of the process of eutrophication-excessive discharge of nutrients like phosphorus (P) and nitrogen(N).
Eutrophication results in an increase in primary productivity ( in form of algal blooming )algal blooming may shade out plants in lower water and cause a loss of biodiversity development of hypoxia conditions
What is EutrophicationWhat is Eutrophication
Waters that have a Dissolved Oxygen (DO) concentration less than 2mg/L (<3mg/L, some systems) are defined as Hypoxia
If DO= 0 mg/L, it is called Anoxia Oxygen Depletion caused by
Excessive nutrients, intense biological productivity that depletes oxygen
Decomposition of organic matter consumes oxygen
Stratification prevents oxygen refreshment
What is Hypoxia What is Hypoxia
Dead Zone of the GulfDead Zone of the Gulf
Large zone of oxygen-depleted water extends across the Louisiana continental shelf and on to the Texas coast in most summers
The Gulf of Mexico is the largest hypoxia zone in coastal waters of Western Hemisphere
Hypoxia of the GulfHypoxia of the Gulf Hypoxia occurs from Feb. through early Oct.,
but is most widespread, persistent, and severe in June, July and August.
Hypoxic waters can include 20-80% of the low water profile between 5 and 30 meters water depth, and waters can extend as far as 130km offshore (Rabalais, 1999).
Hypoxia Time-Series Change Hypoxia Time-Series Change Gradual decline in oxygen in the spring with interruptions due
to wind-mixing events Persistent hypoxia and often anoxia for extended parts of the
record from May through September Occasional summer upwelling of oxygenated water from the
deeper shelf waters Seasonal disruption of low oxygen in the fall by tropical storms
or cold fronts (oxygen restored ) (Rabalais, 1999).
Warm and fresher water that forms a high production layers over the deeper salty, cold waters
The greater the density difference between the layers, the more stable the stratification
In order to mix the very strongly stratified systems, it requires a lot of wind energy, like tropical storm
If storms do not mix the waters, they will remain in layers, isolating bottom waters from aeration until fall brings cooler surface temperature and the density of the surface water approaches that of the bottom water
Stratification of the Gulf Water Stratification of the Gulf Water
Stratification and Oxygen Depletion Stratification and Oxygen Depletion
Layer separates bottom waters from the atmosphere and prevents re-supply of oxygen from the surface
Oxygen deficits created by decomposing organic matter in the deeper waters remain
The extent of hypoxia is determined by the balance between the rate of delivery and decomposition of algae and other organic matter and the rate of oxygen re-supply
Mississippi River and Hypoxia Mississippi River and Hypoxia High stream flow in Spring and Summer
produces a large freshwater flux to the Gulf, which promotes stratification
Nutrients to the Gulf produce algae in the surface water. Organic material from algae and other organisms settles into the bottom water, then decomposed by bacteria which consume oxygen
Mississippi River BasinMississippi River Basin Largest river basin in North America Third largest basin in the world Including 70 million people, 30 states One of the most productive farming regions in the world
58% of the basin is cropland ( corn, soybeans, wheat)
18% woodland,
21%barren land,
2.4% wetland, and
0.6% urban land (Goolsby and Battaglin, 2000 )
(Goolsby & Battaglin , 2000)
Key Nutrient to the Gulf- NitrogenKey Nutrient to the Gulf- Nitrogen
the most important nutrient leading to hypoxia increased significantly in concentration and loads
in the Mississippi RiverDissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium): concentration and flux changed greatly and have a larger effect on algal production and hypoxiaDissolved organic nitrogenParticulate organic nitrogen( Total nitrogen: the sum of these three forms )
Other Nutrients to the Gulf Other Nutrients to the Gulf
Phosphorusloads unchanged significantly since the earlier 1970s
Silicarecord shows decreased between 1950s and 1970s and have not changed significantly since then
( Goolsby and Battaglin, 2000 )
Nitrogen from Mississippi Nitrogen from Mississippi Every year 1.57 million metric tons of nitrogen (nitrate and organic
nitrogen) into the Gulf of Mexico from Mississippi The primary sources include
Soil mineralization Fertilizer, the largest annual inputs Legumes and pasture Animal manure Atmospheric deposition Municipal and industry point pollution
(Goolsby and Battaglin, 2000 )
Nitrogen VariabilityNitrogen Variability Loads and freshwater discharge are usually highest during the late
Winter, Spring, and early Summer when runoff is highest Precipitation leaches the highly soluble nitrate from the soil into
streams via
Ground-water discharge
Agricultural drains Overland runoff
Nitrate is subsequently transported into the Mississippi River and eventually discharges to the Gulf of Mexico ( Goolsby & Battaglin, 2000)
Potential Factors Contributing to Hypoxia in the Gulf
Potential Factors Contributing to Hypoxia in the Gulf
Landscape changes in the drainage basin Channelization of the delta and loss of coastal
wetlands Intrusion of deeper offshore waters Short-or-long-term climate changes
Ecological Analysis of HypoxiaEcological Analysis of Hypoxia
Loss of bottom and near-bottom habitat through the seasonal depletion of oxygen levels
Alternation of energy flows During hypoxia, significant amounts of the system’s energy are diverted from invertebrates to microbial decomposition ( Diaz & Andrew Solow, 1999)
Effects on Fishery ResourcesEffects on Fishery Resources Reduce food resources for fish and shrimp Reduced abundance of fish and shrimp Decline in shrimp catch and catch efficiency
since hypoxia expanded Loss of production potential due to the blocked
migration of juvenile shrimp offshore by the presence of hypoxic zone (Diaz & Solow, 1999)
Conclusion
Conclusion Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico can be reduced by
a cut in the nutrient loading System management of the entire Mississippi
watershed plays a key role in reduction the problem in the Gulf of Mexico
Coastal ecosystems recovery may be slow, but improvement is achievable….
ReferencesReferences Nancy N. Rabalais.1999. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico
Robert J. Diaz & Andrew Solow. 1999. Ecological and Economic Consequences of Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico (Topic 2: Report for the Integrated Assessment on Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico)
Donald A. Goolsby & William A. Battaglin. 1997. Sources and Transport of Nitrogen in the Mississippi River Basin. http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/midconherb/st.louis.hypoxia.html