14) Figure 12.5 shows the drainage basin of the Mississippi River and the hypoxi

Question

14) Figure 12.5 shows the drainage basin of the Mississippi River and the hypoxic or dead zone that has developed in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, excessive amounts of nutrients are being carried by the modern Mississippi and then discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, causing an oxygen-depleted (i.e., hypoxic) zone.

a) Describe at least two anthropogenic (human) sources for the excessive nutrients being carried by the modern Mississippi.

b) Explain how the oxygen-depleted zone in the Gulf of Mexico would impact both the marine life and human economy in the region.

Explanation / Answer

Answer:a

As we know oxygen is the primary element to sustain our lives, therefore it should be present in adequate and safe amount for any survival. The hypoxic zone represents the oxygen depleated zone where excessive amount of nutrients were deposits by modern mississippi river, this occurs due to the some anthropogenic activities which taking place into or near by stream channel of the river such as contamination due to the domestic waste, industrial waste etc which mixes into the water and moves along river water and ultimately deposit into gulf of mexico. The most common contamination sources are hopitals waste and commercial waste.

Answer:b

As oxygen are basic requirement for life and also for aquatic life, and depleation causes extinction of species. Also the additional and excessive nutrients are major cause of loss of life of marine ecosystem. Marine life not only balance the ecosystem but also attract the peoples towards nature, fisheries, tourism etc. Therefore, by disturbing the nature it would impact over the marine as well as human economy of the region.

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