OCEANIC DEAD

ZONES:
UNDERSTANDING
THE IMPACT AND
HOW TO HELP

 An overview of what dead zones are, including

Overview the characteristics and causes of these areas

of the dead zones that have been identified

Problem human activities

and Efforts Reversing Dead Zones

to Address An introduction of the organizations and a

preview of the steps individuals can take to
It reduce dead zones

summary

sources
 What are oceanic dead
zones and how are they're
caused
Oceanic dead zones are areas
in the ocean where there is
very little oxygen and marine
life cannot survive.

They are caused by an excess The nutrients, such as nitrogen

of nutrient pollution, primarily and phosphorous, lead to an
overgrowth of algae which
from human activities such as
eventually die and decompose.
agriculture and industrial
This process depletes the
activities. oxygen in the water, creating

the dead zone.
HOW MANY DEAD ZONES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
AROUND THE WORLD
According to the World Resources Institute, there are
over 550 identified dead zones around the world.
The majority of these dead zones are located in coastal
areas, with over 400 found in the coastal waters of North
America, Europe, and Asia.
The Gulf of Mexico has one of the largest dead zones in
the world, covering an area of over 8,000 square miles.
The Baltic Sea also has a significant dead zone, covering
an area of over 3,000 square miles.
Other areas with significant dead zones include the
Black Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the East China Sea.
Dead zones have also been identified in freshwater
systems such as the Mississippi River and the
Chesapeake Bay.
The number of dead zones is increasing globally. In the
1960s, there were only about 50 dead zones, but now the
number is over 550, and the trend is expected to
continue.
 The dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay, located on
the East Coast of the United States, has been

Reversing successfully reversed through a combination of

nutrient reduction strategies and habitat

Dead Zones restoration.

The dead zone in the Black Sea has also been
successfully reversed through a combination of
nutrient reduction and habitat restoration.
The dead zone in the Baltic Sea has been reduced
through the implementation of the Baltic Sea
Action Plan, which includes nutrient reduction and
habitat restoration measures.
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has been
reduced through a combination of nutrient
reduction measures and the implementation of a
"dead zone action plan"
 HOW TO HELP

1. OCEANA IS AN
2. SSupport
UPPORT 3. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 4. CONSERVE
INTERNATIONAL
SUSTAINABLE THAT ARE WORKING TO
NONPROFIT sustainable CLEAN UP DEAD ZONES WATER TO
SEAFOOD BY
ORGANIZATION THAT seafood by INCLUDE THE REDUCE THE
WORKS TO PROTECT CHOOSING FISH ENVIRONMENTAL
AND RESTORE THE choosing
A N D S H Efish
L L F and
ISH PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA),
AMOUNT OF
shellfish
that

WORLD'S OCEANS THE NATIONAL OCEANIC

THROUGH CAMPAIGNS TO
THare
A T caught
A R E C A or
UGHT AND
NUTRIENT-
PROTECT MARINE OR F A R M Eusing
farmed D USING ATMOSPHERIC RICH RUNOFF
ENVIRONMENTALLY ADMINISTRATION (NOAA),
WILDLIFE, PRESERVE VITAL
environmentally AND THE GULF OF MEXICO
ENTERING
HABITATS, AND REDUCE FRIENDLY
POLLUTION friendly methods. ALLIANCE (GOMA) WATERWAYS.
METHODS.
 Summary:
Dead zones are areas of the ocean with low oxygen levels that
can harm or kill marine life.
Human activities such as agricultural runoff, sewage
discharge, and climate change are major contributors to the
formation of dead zones.
Organizations such as Oceana, the EPA, NOAA, and GOMA are
working to clean up and prevent dead zones.
Every small action counts and by taking these steps, we can
all make a difference in protecting our oceans and the
marine life they support.

Let's take action now to reduce

oceanic dead zones.

 HTTPS://EDUCATION.NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.ORG/R
ESOURCE/DEAD-ZONE

Sources
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/deadzone.html

HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCE.ORG/DOI/10.1126/SCIENCE.11
56401

HTTPS://WWW.WEFORUM.ORG/AGENDA/2015/04/HO
W-CAN-WE-STOP-THE-SPREAD-OF-OCEAN-DEAD-
ZONES/
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