Every year in
the Gulf of Mexico, there appears a bloom of algae followed by a period of time where no life can survive, a Dead Zone. This year, that Dead Zone is bigger than ever, all thanks to agricultural pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides from the Corn Belt make their way down the Mississippi and end up in the Gulf contributing to the Dead Zone, but due to excessive flooding in the River, this year’s Dead Zone will be bigger than ever.
In fact, some scientists are predicting that this year’s Dead Zone will reach the Florida Keys. The vast amount of territory being affected means that a vast amount of sea life is being hurt by the pollution. There are, of course, plants and shrimp that can’t make it out but the effect is now aided by the lingering pollutants from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. According to the Herald Tribune, “[h]undreds of dolphins and sea turtles have washed ashore dead in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.”
But though there is a huge amount of devastation, there are very simple steps we can take to reduce pollution in the Mississippi and the Gulf. Elected officials make important decisions that affect our River and our Gulf. Reach out to them today and let them know what you think! You can take action here!