A zone of hypoxic and anoxic waters has become a dominant feature of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Nitrogen draining into the Gulf from the Mississippi Basin has been identified as the primary source of the problem. Reducing nitrogen loads from point and nonpoint sources in the basin is the primary goal of an action plan developed to address the problem. This scientific paper uses data on point source dischargers and a model of the agriculture sector to examine whether the purchase of nitrogen reduction "credits" from nonpoint sources would reduce the cost of nitrogen control if point sources are required to reduce nitrogen discharges. Results indicate that a substantial degree of credit trading could affect agricultural commodity prices, thereby affecting agricultural production outside the basin.
This resource is referenced here:Subject:
Biology:Ecology:Habitats:Water Column,
Marine,
Biology:Microbiology,
Geoscience:Hydrology:Surface Water:Water Quality/Chemistry ,
Water Management and Policy
Resource Type:
Scientific Resources:Overview/Reference Work,
Research Results
Grade Level: Graduate/Professional, College Upper (15-16), College Lower (13-14)
Extreme Environments: Altered by Humans, Anoxic
Ocean Environments: Coastal and Estuarine
Theme:
Teach the Earth:Teaching Topics:Water,
Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Ecology,
Hydrology/Hydrogeology
Keywords: eutrophication, dead zone
