Hypoxic dead zones found in urban streams, not just at the coast

(Duke University) A Duke-led study finds that hypoxic dead zones occur in nutrient-laden urban streams, not just in coastal waters. The research shows that intense storm flows can erode some stream channels to become a series of pools that trap nutrient-laden runoff. The elevated nutrient levels in the water spur greater consumption of dissolved oxygen by bacteria, causing the pools to become hypoxic until the next storm flushes them out.

Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - December 11, 2018 Category: Biology Source Type: news