Floods may widen (Gulf) dead zone(size of Maryland)

[underpants]

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Region in Gulf of Mexico is oxygen-depleted because of excess nutrients from runoff

WASHINGTON -- Floodwaters loaded with farm runoff are heading down the Mississippi River, and scientists fear the deluge will dramatically increase this summer's dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, covering an area the size of Maryland.

The dead zone is a region of the gulf that becomes starved for oxygen during much of the summer and cannot support fish or other sea life.

There are hundreds of dead zones around the world that wreak havoc with marine ecology and cut off vast areas for commercial fishing. The zone in the gulf is the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

Even before the flooding, scientists had predicted that the gulf this summer would see its largest-ever dead zone -- more than 10,000 square miles. Now experts say it's likely to be even bigger.

Oxygen in the dead zone is depleted by excess nutrients, mostly nitrates from farm-fertilizer runoff, that cause algae blooms. After the algae dies, bacteria on the bottom feast on the remains, removing crucial oxygen from the water.


Read more: http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-21-0133.html

[ensho]

1. these flood waters will finish off the upper Gulf for sure

there will be job losses all around the coasts of the upper Gulf

and this area will no longer provide food.

the amount of sea food lost will be huge.

(wonder if the Gulf Stream is still going into the upper Gulf? the stream used to and maybe still dose forms a small circle of the stream in the upper gulf)

[madrchsod]

2. this problem could have been solved years ago

but as long as we feed the war machine our country and the surrounding waters will be the death of us.

http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn13340
New Mississippi delta would limit hurricane damage - earth - 18 February 2008 - New Scientist Environment

"Diverting parts of the Mississippi would create up to 1000 square kilometres of new wetlands between New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, forming a vital storm surge buffer against hurricanes, researchers say. The formation of new delta lands could also help stem ongoing coastal erosion without disrupting important shipping traffic.....

A similar plan, presented to the state of Louisiana and the Army Corps of Engineers in 2005, before Hurricane Katrina flooded much of New Orleans, never gained political support.---->"It was too bold, too aggressive, and too expensive,"<---- Twilley says.


time to rethink this.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atchafalaya_Basin

[Shoelace]

3. but they are rebuilding Iraq so they couldn't afford that program

which makes me seethe with anger! I've just been reviewing how much money has been diverted to flood control projects in Iraq. in 2003 or thereabouts, Bush cut flood control, levee rebuilding projects by 80% while at the same time, starting all sorts of multi-million dollar projects to rebuild everything from hospitals, schools, infrastructure, flood control projects, dams, road construction, Senior centers, orphanages, in Iraq.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is too busy over there to do anything for America. If you don't believe it, take a look at all the projects they have started in Iraq at the "News" link on their website. Warning; it will piss you off to the max!


http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/index.asp?PageNo=1

[underpants]

4. I was never aware of the constant vigilence management of this got

until after Katrina.

Yes this whole thing was preventable but hey they had mindless talking points to raise in our legislature and other distractions. :eyes:

[jus_the_facts]

5. Naww.....ya think?

:eyes: