-Caveat Lector- >From The Scotsman: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com
Massive marine dead zone forms in Gulf of Mexico JANET MCCONNAUGHEY IN NEW ORLEANS THE world's second largest "dead zone" has formed in the sea off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, according to scientists. Crabs, eels and other creatures usually found on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico are swimming in crowds on the surface because there is too little oxygen in their usual habitat, said Dr Nancy Rabalais of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. At 7,900 square miles, the oxygen-poor area is not quite as big as was predicted for this year, but it is still the third-largest ever mapped. We very often see swarms of crabs, mostly blue crabs and their close relatives, swimming at the surface when the oxygen is low," Dr Rabalais said from a research ship as it returned to Cocodrie, Lousiana from its annual measurement trip. But she added that eels, which usually live in sediments 60ft-70ft under water, were a less common sight on the surface. The Gulf of Mexico annually develops a vast "dead zone" when the supply of oxygen shrinks, causing hypoxia. This year's is about 7.5 per cent smaller than had been predicted by Eugene Turner, a professor of oceanography and coastal sciences at Louisiana State University, from his judging of nitrogen content in the Mississippi River watershed. He had predicted it would be about 8,540 square miles, which would have made it the largest dead zone measured in at least 22 years. More storms than normal may have reduced hypoxia by keeping the waters churning, Dr Rabalais said. Hypoxia occurs in the Gulf when fresh water pouring in from the Mississippi floats above the heavier salt water. Algae die and fall to the bottom, where their decay uses up oxygen faster than it can be replenished by being brought down from the surface. Eventually, the lower layer holds too little oxygen for aquatic life. Nitrogen, from fertilisers, erosion and sewage, speeds up the process by feeding algae. The Gulf's dead zone was larger in 2002 and 2001, covering 8,500 square miles and 8,006 square miles respectively. Dead zones have appeared elsewhere in the United States, and have been reported off South America, China and Japan, and in the Baltic and Black seas. *This article:* http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1183602007 *Last updated:* 29-Jul-07 00:39 BST. ================================================================================================= > Commentary: Thank you, corporate greed and inadequate waste disposal, for what's happened to our oceans. -- -- Jerod C. Batte, JERODIAN DESIGNS www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substanceânot soap-boxingâplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'âwith its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright fraudsâis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/ctrl@listserv.aol.com/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/ctrl@listserv.aol.com/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
