What factors contribute to the "dead zone" in Chesapeake Bay?

What will be an ideal response?


There has been a rapid acceleration of anthropogenic fixing of atmospheric nitrogen and releasing it into the hydrosphere. This is manifested through fertilizer runoff into the waterways feeding into Chesapeake Bay. There excess nitrogen and phosphorus, combined with more nutrient loading from sewage discharge, has contributed to a rise in phytoplankton biomass. The excess biomass is partly eaten by consumers but a large amount sediments out as dead material and is metabolized by benthic decomposers. All of this increased aerobic metabolism depletes the waters of essential dissolved oxygen, leading to a hypoxic dead zone.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Dynamic lows result from

A) localized heating of the air from below. B) localized cooling of air from below. C) upper-tropospheric motions. D) lower-tropospheric motions.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The two greenhouse gases that have the greatest impact on climate change are

A. Methane and carbon dioxide. B. Methane and water vapor. C. Nitrous oxide and methane. D. Chlorofluorocarbons and methane.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The rocks on the bottom of a pile of sedimentary rocks are ____________________ in age than the

rocks above them. Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Rounded peds have more pore space and permeability than do other ped shapes

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences