The "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico Is

Question

The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is
A) due to oligotrophism.
B) the result of the toxicity of most nitrogenous compounds.
C) due to hypoxia from microbial activity.
D) due to point sources of pollution.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is primarily caused by hypoxia, which occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, lead to algal blooms. When these algae die, their decomposition by microbes consumes oxygen, resulting in low oxygen levels that cannot support most marine life.