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Increasing dead zones in oceans could be avoided with a vegetarian diet
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The term ‘dead zone’ often brings to mind one of those some-what humorous Verizon Wireless commercials. However, there is a very real and very serious dead zone affecting our oceans right this minute that few people discuss but everyone should be concerned about. .jpg)
Ocean dead zones are areas of ocean that are, in essence, dying. These areas are defined as regions of aquatic ecosystems that become congested with nitrogen, causing an extreme amount of algae growth. As this growth dies off, it is decomposed by oxygen-eating bacteria that also consume the oxygen in the surrounding water, thus killing off nearby organisms. The numbers of dead zones in the earth’s oceans are multiplying rapidly, and currently there are over 150 identified throughout the world. This is causing several aquatic species to flee from these areas or simply die off.
The largest dead zone is located in the Gulf of Mexico and is currently about the size of New Jersey. The cause of this massive-sized dead zone is due mainly to watershed contamination from fertilizers and animal manure. According to the United States Geological Survey, the contaminated water drains to the Mississippi River basin which flows to the Gulf of Mexico thus polluting the water and continuing this vicious cycle that is killing off our oceans.
Another cause of these dead zones is global warming. The article “Ecological benefits of a vegetarian diet” discusses some of the ways a vegetarian diet can decrease global warming. This holds true for decreasing the number of dead zones in our oceans as well since both issues go hand-in-hand. A vegetarian diet drastically decreases the amount of land used for livestock farming, cutting down on gas emissions that contribute to global warming by up to 80%. This would also decrease the amount of contaminated water draining in to the oceans, cutting down on the spread of dead zones and hopefully reversing some of the damage that has already been done.
One more way to reduce the spread of ocean dead zones is by “curbing the world’s addiction to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides”, according to the United Nations Environment Program. A more eco-friendly approach to agriculture would cut down on the amount of polluted groundwater caused by these poisonous fertilizers--yet another reason to go green and become vegetarian it seems.
Visit the links below for more information on the spreading ocean dead zones. Do yourself and the earth a favor and try eating a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. It can only help.
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