Guest guest Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 Pacific Northwest ocean dead zone getting larger Researchers believe global warming is behind a recurring low-oxygen " dead zone " in the Pacific Northwest ocean. Triggered by north winds, a process called upwelling encourages the growth of phytoplankton blooms; when the water calms, the phytoplankton die for lack of nutrients, sink to the bottom, and rot, using up oxygen in the water. Another round of upwelling then brings the low-oxygen water toward shore, killing fishies and crabs that aren't quick enough to escape. " We are seeing wild swings from year to year in the timing and duration of the winds that are favorable for upwelling, " says marine specialist Jane Lubchenco. " This increased variability in the winds is consistent with what we would expect under climate change. " Not to be outdone, an agricultural-runoff-caused dead zone off the Louisiana coast is likely to be 40 percent larger than average this year, or about 6,700 square miles. Soon we'll be looking around in vain for the live zones. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] straight to the source: The Oregonian, Michael Milstein, 27 Jul 2006 straight to the source: The Seattle Times, Associated Press, Jeff Barnard, 26 Jul 2006 straight to the source: Nola.com, Associated Press, Janet McConnaughey, 24 Jul 2006 " NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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