Dead zones Dead zones (biological deserts) are increasing in | Upsc Environment

Dead zones

Dead zones (biological deserts) are increasing in the coastal delta and estuarine regions.

Hypoxic zones (zones deprived of oxygen) can occur naturally (due to upwelling of nutrients).

They can be created or enhanced by human activity to form dead zones.

Dead zones are areas in the ocean with very low oxygen concentration (hypoxic conditions).

Dead zones emerge when influx of chemical nutrients spur algae growth.

These zones usually occur 200-800 meters (in the saltwater layer) below the surface.

Dead zones are detrimental to animal life. Most of the animal life either dies or migrates from the zone.

One of the largest dead zones forms in the Gulf of Mexico every spring (farmers fertilize their crops and rain washes fertilizer off the land and into streams and rivers).

There’s a dead zone in Gulf of Oman and it’s growing.