Dead Zones: A Global Threat To Marine Ecosystems

Ashley Peterson, California Western School of Law

Abstract

Dead zones are so named because the deeper waters near the ocean floor have little or no oxygen and very few organisms can survive in such hostile conditions. This article focuses specifically on the Gulf of Mexico, Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Pacific Northwest Coast dead zones and the legislative strategies and environmental programs being implemented worldwide to combat the size of the dead zone. Unfortunately, dead zones are not decreasing in number despite these implemented strategies and programs on an international level; however evidence has shown the harmful effects of the dead zones can be reduced if steps are taken to eliminate the contributing factors. According to the latest research, scientists believe the newly discovered dead zone off the Pacific Northwest Coast has been caused by climate change, which suggests these new dead zones may now be irreversible.