The 'dead zone' of the Gulf of Mexico | Nancy Rabalais

Ocean expert Nancy Rabalais tracks the ominously named "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico -- where there isn't enough oxygen in the water to support life. The Gulf has the second largest dead zone in the world; on top of killing fish and crustaceans, it's also killing fisheries in these waters. Rabalais tells us about what's causing it -- and how we can reverse its harmful effects and restore one of America's natural treasures.

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[pmds]

Such a very informative talk. Thank you Dr. Rabalais for your efforts, for going above and beyond your responsibility as a scientist - not letting your research findings just be confined in the academic and scientific community but you made ways for these findings to reach the media and policy makers, thereby resulting in ways (or policy making) that help protect and sustain our environment. As a woman of science, I am inspired with what you did and hopefully, I can also make a good impact in the near future with my research.

[HomesteadEngineering]

These are a few EASY things I did to save the environment/money: 1. switched from incandescent to LED light bulbs 2. Added additional insulation to attic 3. Put TV's and computers on power strips and turn them off when not in use AND here are some harder things I did: 1. Installed my own solar power system that runs our house 2. built a solar water heater for $40 3. built a solar pool heater AND next I am going to trade my gas guzzling truck for a electric car and drive it for free by charging it with my home solar power. You can save a LOT of money while helping the environment!

[hectorbb]

I liked this talk and would like to see a follow up on it in the future. It actually got me engaged and curious to learn on the subject. A very important subject and great talk!

[LoveAndPeaceOccurs]

Thank You Nancy Rabalais, for your work and your effort. Would have been nice had you included a rate of "dead zone" growth or expansion" also would have been nice if you might have shared any information about any place (on the planet) that has already stopped or reversed this problem. BUT all effort toward resolving this Huge problem is appreciated. Love & Peace to All

[pinchmesh]

There's also a BIG problem with herbicides, which are also pesticides, but never tested as such. My guess is they are part of the cause. Concentrations of as little as 0.1 PPB of dursban ( a larvacide) can kill 100% of shrimp larva. That's an undetectable trace.

[DMahalko]

What we need are artificial wetlands and ponds to collect field runoff, and separate the fields and drainage ditches from lakes and rivers. Collect the nitrogen and phosphorus, then respray it back onto the field on the high slope side. In the long run, this saves the farmer money, by capturing and reusing the escaping nutrients.

[chiefonelung]

A Wonderful talk. Thanks so much for all your work.

[vikkiledgard]

Hurrah for Nancy Rabalaise! What a hero👍❤️❤️❤️

[wokemojo]

Environmental genius. Hopefully her device can reverse what's left of the BP oil crisis in addition to our river pollution. Excellent Talk!

[MrMongo]

If the Gulf of Mexico has the second largest dead zone, what area has the largest

[seanconway]

It also doesn't help that almost all of Americas heavy industries are based on the Mississippi River.

[erikas]

So so inspiring, thank you Dr. Rabalais

[reachinghigher]

I'm hardly vegetarian or vegan, but I do have a (what I consider to be) low animal-product intake (not counting cheese, butter, & eggs, though I do try to buy those free range, grass fed, cage free, and organic.) There's got to be a point where the shocking amount of waste we generate (ie: throwing food away because we didn't want left-overs, making portions too massive, offering too much food and throwing away what was unpopular, etc) has to impact the amount of food we produce. I think about how many cattle, fish, pork, and poultry we slaughter and process, and then how much of it goes straight into the trash can. I remember reading that some 30% of all food in the USA is thrown away. Imagine 30% less catch, slaughter, or production...if only people didn't buy what they were going to toss anyway, or if portions were smaller.

[fatimazaim]

If there's an increase in algal bloom, wouldn't that lead to more oxygen formation, more productivity first? And then later becomes harmful when it dies?
Waiting for your reply. Thank you

[dannmarceau]

I'm no scientist, (my life long friend Dr.Fred Sharpe is) but I studied marine biology, oceanography, as well as environmental science, better act fast or there will be people coming after your food.

[eleanormattice]

Big agri-business needs to fix this problem. They profiting from our loss of fisheries and drinking water. We need regenerative soil practices, not chemical fertilizers.

[fatimazaim]

Why is their a limit to dead one, I mean why does it have a specific size?

[aracelycastilloreyes]

Hello, Can I use this video for a documentary I'm doing about Dead Zones? thx

[Trinhnguyen]

Can bamboo help if planted at strategical locations? Ie Running bamboo shoots?

[robertmclennan]

Hmm you forgot to mention the human Factor! Southside of Chicago on the Banks of Lake Michigan is the Sanitation and Shipping Canal. It runs into the Illinois River and then the Mississippi River. Every city along the way dumps their influent (liquid from municipal water treatment plants) into the rivers!