Solutions

Since dead zones are reversible, there are solutions that can be implemented to solve the problem. As developing countries become more industrialized, more fertilizers are used, which creates larger and more aquatic dead zones in healthy ecosystems. There are many simple solutions that would significantly reduce the input of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Gulf of Mexico. A solution that could make a huge impact is using fewer fertilizers and adjusting the timing of when the fertilizers are applied. This would limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland. This runoff is the clear source of nitrogen and phosphorus (Science Education Resource Center 2012). The complication with this solution is that industrial farmers rely heavily on these fertilizers, so it would be more logical to consider only using as much fertilizer that the soil can absorb (University of Michigan 2006).

A tractor applies powerful fertilizers to crops
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Another solution would be to use natural resources of nutrients like compost and manure and farming methods like no till and contour cropping. That would reduce runoff because it would allow soil to absorb more water and nutrients (Science Education Resource Center 2012). The soil is left relatively undisturbed besides when the necessary amount of seed and plant nutrients need to get in the soil. No till farming keeps soil covered with plant material, which prevents erosion and runoff. It also requires less heavy equipment, which uses less petroleum products (Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Inc. 2013). Restoring coastal wetlands would also help reduce the dead zone because it would provide a natural filter and help remove excess nutrients from the water before it reaches the ocean. Other solutions are controlling animal wastes, so they don’t enter waterways; monitoring septic systems and sewage treatment facilities to reduce discharge of nutrients to surface water and groundwater; and limiting the discharge of nutrients, organic matter, and chemicals from manufacturing facilities (Science Education Resource Center 2012). Since agricultural practices are the main cause of the hypoxic condition in the Gulf of Mexico, good management practices in the agricultural industry could go a long way. If practices like controlling erosion, fertilizers, manure, and grazing are implemented properly, the dead zone could drastically improve (Kenyon 2000). Proper incentives and government funding would have to support this solution which would hopefully cause the farmers to willingly go through with these conservation practices (University of Michigan 2006).

No-till farming
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Also, as animal feedlots spread, they contribute to dead zones. Since they demand huge amounts of corn and soybeans, they are responsible for a large amount of nutrient runoff in the Mississippi River. Animal feedlots need to control the waste that they are producing to help reduce the dead zone (Crossfield 2013). In 2001, there was an Action Plan to reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Some efforts in the plan were “coordinating and supporting nutrient management activities from all sources, restoring habitats to trap and assimilate nutrients, and supporting other hypoxia related activities in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico watersheds” (Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force 2001). This action plan encouraged the states to get involved in actively reducing hypoxia. Most states have done little to make significant changes to the dead zone so far, but Minnesota is trying to take action. They have produced a plan to reduce nutrients, targeting a "35 percent reduction in phosphorus and a 20 percent reduction in nitrogen getting into waterways in 2025." They plan to look at voluntary actions farmers, business, industry, and private citizens can take in order to reduce runoff in waterways. Hopefully, Minnesota's plan will make an impact and other states can get involved as well. (Wold 2013).


Works Cited:

Crossfield, P. (May 22, 2013) New Report from FERN: Fixing the Dead Zone. Civil Eats. (Date accessed: February 15, 2014.) 
http://civileats.com/2013/05/22/new-report-from-fern-fixing-the-dead-zone/.

Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Inc. (2013) No-Tillage Farming. (Date accessed: February 26, 2014.) http://www.hrwc.net/notill.htm
Kenyon. (2000) Agricultural practices that will lead to a reduction of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Perspectives. (Date accessed: February 13, 2014.) http://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/Agri/esal01.html.

Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force. 2001. Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Washington, DC.

Science Education Resource Center. (2012) The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone. Microbial Life Educational Resources. (Date accessed: February 13, 2014.) http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/deadzone/index.html.

University of Michigan. (2006) Solutions. Dead Zones. (Date Accessed: February 13, 2014.) http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section8group1/possible_solutions.

Wold, A. (September 29, 2013) Minn. taking lead to reduce Gulf 'dead zone.' The Advocate. (Accessed February 26, 2013.) 
http://theadvocate.com/home/7155348-125/minnesota-taking-lead-to-reduce






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