Natural and human induced events create dead zones. Dead zones
are typically caused by over excessive phytoplankton. Though the single celled organism phytoplankton
is typically good excessive amounts it is bad for the ecosystem. This is
because excessive nutrients creates a spike in phytoplankton. That phytoplankton
then turns to organic material and drifts to the bottom of the sea floor. A
bacterium at the base then turns this organic material into CO2. I would like
to note that the more phytoplankton there is the more CO2 is produced taking
away the oxygen within the water. This in turn suffocates the fish creating a
mass dead zone.
The example below expresses the role of satellites and how
they help track phytoplankton growth. This in turn helps people view the dead
zone and how their actions impact the planet.
Some well documented areas can be seen below on the map. These
areas have excessive phytoplankton creating dead zones.
Image by: Robert Simmon & Jesse Allen
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