Explain how growing corn in the Midwest creates a ‘dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico

What will be an ideal response


Every growing season, huge amounts of synthetic inorganic fertilizer are used in the mid-western United States to grow corn crops. The corn crops will be used for animal feed, and some will be converted to ethanol as fuel. Much of this fertilizer runs off the land and into the Mississippi River, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The addition of this nitrate and phosphorus nutrient load creates an algal bloom that depletes the water of oxygen and results in a dead zone the size of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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The movement of unsaturated regolith and bedrock downslope is called earthflow

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Dew PointFor the following questions refer to the temperature and dew point data in the following cities: CityAir Temperature (ºC)Dew Point (ºC)City A3524City B-12-12City C-1-6City D106Which of the following procedures will increase the relative humidity in a home during the winter?

A. lowering the temperature of the air inside the home B. taking a shower and letting the air circulate in the home C. increasing the thermostat setting D. sealing the house against drafts

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Miami, FL recorded the following: High temperature: 32 °C Low temperature: 20 °C What is the daily temperature range?

A) 12 °C B) The daily temperature range cannot be determined with the data provided. C) 26 °C D) 20 °C E) 32 °C

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Most systems have ____.

A. inputs of energy but not matter B. only positive feedbacks C. only negative feedbacks D. inputs, flows, and outputs E. outputs greater than the inputs

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences