Where is the largest dead zone in the United States?
A) the Gulf of Mexico
B) the Hudson River
C) the Chesapeake Bay
D) the Great Lakes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Gulf of Mexico is the location of the largest dead zone in the United States, which spans an area of over 8,700 square miles. This is primarily caused by excess nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff, which leads to an overgrowth of algae that decomposes and depletes the oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions that are lethal to fish and other marine life.

Where Is the Largest Dead Zone in the United States