Gulf ‘Dead Zone’ Predicted To Set A Record

Font Size By The Associated Press
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M50o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Gulf ‘Dead Zone’ Predicted To Set A Record
Published: Wed, July 16, 2008 - 11:22 am
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 11:26 am
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Scientists with LSU and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say this year's "dead
zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is predicted to be 8,800 square miles,
the largest recorded in history.

Scientists have been measuring the dead zone, or hypoxia, in the
Gulf since 1985.

Hypoxia, low oxygen water that cannot support marine life, forms
each summer when nutrients and nitrogen from fertilizer or urban
runoff get into the Mississippi River.

LSU scientist R. Eugene Turner says this year's record "dead
zone," which is roughly the size of New Jersey, is in large part
due to nitrogen leaking into the Mississippi from a huge increase
in corn planting.

He says the recent increase in corn crops is due to the nation's
increased efforts to find alternative fuel resources, such as
corn-powered ethanol.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Brazilians have great Mardi Gras and Sugar Cane!

Posted by southfan1981 on 07/17/08 - 11:13 am • Report Abuse   

working4u , i know years ago we use to sell ethanol, people did not like it. i do not know how cars today would run on it. i heard they were working on some kind of blend. maybe that will get better gas milage.  if i filled up 3 tanks of fuel today. it would cost over 100,000. you know thats unbelievable. i do not think ethanol will be that much cheaper maybe but not that much. now its already being blamed for polution.

Posted by rosepetal on 07/17/08 - 8:44 am • Report Abuse   

rosepetal-I have heard ethanol and biodiesel do not yield as many miles per gallon as gasoline. It would be nice to hear otherwise.

Posted by working4u on 07/17/08 - 8:28 am • Report Abuse   

Mercedes, you do not fish much do you? everyone knows great fishing around those oil rigs in the gulf.  yes put more oil rigs in the gulf.

Posted by rosepetal on 07/17/08 - 7:59 am • Report Abuse   

Mercy ! You talking about those little critters they have embedded in the air lines seats and bath rooms. Ewwwwwwwwww Information overload !

Posted by carl on 07/17/08 - 7:50 am • Report Abuse   

Southfan, there is no need to worry. According to the news, the airlines have a fresh batch.

Posted by The wife on 07/17/08 - 7:12 am • Report Abuse   

This problem is not just in the Gulf of Mexico. “Scientists estimate the Chesapeake now contains about 1 percent of the oysters it once did.” http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080716/ap_on_bi_ge/blue_crab_blues
I remember swimming in the inlets of Va Bch and having to watch out for the crabs. They were everywhere. I’d hate to lose the tasty ones we have here.

Posted by southfan1981 on 07/17/08 - 12:54 am • Report Abuse   

Biting the hand that feeds us, or can we say crapping on the hand that feeds us.

Posted by Mercedes on 07/16/08 - 6:28 pm • Report Abuse   

Mercedes , that would really be like biting the hand that feeds us since mexico is outranked only by canada as far as oil imports to the united states.

Posted by rosepetal on 07/16/08 - 4:24 pm • Report Abuse   

working4u , years ago we use to sell ethanol, people did not like it , but a lot has changed. wonder if it will effect the performance of todays cars.

Posted by rosepetal on 07/16/08 - 4:22 pm • Report Abuse   



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