According to a new research study, weather plays a crucial role in the formation of the dead zones in the Great Lakes of North America.
Great Lakes like any other large lakes, natural or manmade have been affected by dead zones. These zones where fishes could not survive were thought to be caused by excess phosphorous triggering algae blooms which pollute the waters and rob it of the essential nutrients making it unfit for fishes. The algae blooms also rob the water of much of the dissolved oxygen .
However recent research revealed that excess runoff of phosphorous is not the only cause of the formation of dead zones. Researchers affiliated with the Carnegie Institution for Science found out that weather also played an important role in the formation of dead zones. Changes in regular weather conditions, low flow rates from tributary rivers and droughts also played a crucial role in the formation of these dead zones.
Matthew Slotkin
