Massive+'Dead+Zone'+in+the+Arabian+Sea+is+the+Biggest+in+the+World

Esha Srinivasan Live Science Accessed 5/17/18 []

Summary:

A new study revealed that the largest “dead zone” is in the Arabian Sea. Dead zones are hypoxic areas likely derived from spurs of algae growth caused by chemicals from human pollution. This has caused researchers to be concerned about the negative effect it will have on ecosystems and the economy of fisheries. Also, marine plants, animals, and fish need the oxygen to survive. Due to the threat of ocean piracy, the region was restricted to researchers. However, with the institution of seagliders and slow-moving autonomous underwater vehicles (or AUVs), they can gather data on oxygen levels and transmit them to researchers that generate visual computer models. They found the oxygen loss to be greater than anticipated. The area is filled with multiple fish species that are intolerant to changing levels of oxygen. On top of that, the changing levels of oxygen harms humans as well with the decreased quantity of food and job opportunities.

Relevance to Course:

One relation of this article to the course is that dissolved oxygen is a limiting factor for aquatic ecosystems. The textbook says “the two main kinds of aquatic zones, saltwater and freshwater, have similar environmental factors that limit aquatic life, particularly temperature, access to sunlight for photosynthesis, dissolved oxygen for respiration, and availability of nutrients for plant growth” (Miller 203). Additionally, it relates with the aspect of ocean pollution because human pollutants are what is leaving to the algae growth that depletes oxygen. According to the textbook, “runoff of sewage and agricultural wastes into coastal waters and acid deposition from the atmosphere introduce large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause explosive growth or bloom of algae or other organisms.” (Miller 544). I was also inclined to mention that the use of computer models is important for the furthering of environmental science research.

Opinion:

Though the rates of poverty of Oman, the place most affected by the Dead Zone, have been decreasing, in 2014 only 62.4% of the population was employed (Borgen Magazine). Since the country is considered poor, it is even more important for me that we prevent these kinds of oxygen depletion that negatively affects the economy of developing countries. Especially since Oman depends on fishing as part of its economy. Since the warmer waters that hold less oxygen are located in places where fertilizer and sewage run off the land, I believe that we should conserve the amount of fertilizer that we use. I also think that we should help employ better waste treatment strategies to developing countries so that we can protect the environment.

Law:

This article relates to the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 because the act provides a limited ban on the dumping of sewage waste and industrial waste into oceans. Since sewage is what caused the algal blooms and increased eutrophication, this act relates to how we should be trying to mitigate the problem. The act, however, is only considered a partial ban, implying that there are many loopholes that can be found. This is a symbol for how we still have a lot more progress to make regarding the problems of coastal pollutants caused by humans.

This photograph sourced from the University of East Anglia shows the seagliders, a technology used to reveal the location of oxygen depleted zones.