Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Quiz

Which major river flows into the Gulf of Mexico and contributes to the dead zone?

• Missouri River

• Colorado River

• Mississippi River

• Rio Grande

What nutrients primarily contribute to the formation of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone?

• Carbon and Nitrogen

• Nitrogen and Phosphorus

• Sulfur and Phosphorus

• Oxygen and Carbon

What happens when excess nutrients enter the Gulf of Mexico?

• Increases fish population

• Causes phytoplankton blooms followed by oxygen depletion

• Cleans the water naturally

• Boosts coral growth

A dead zone is an area in the ocean that...

• Has an overpopulation of marine life

• Has low or no dissolved oxygen and little marine life

• Has high levels of biodiversity

• Is home to coral reefs

How long does the Gulf of Mexico dead zone typically last?

• All year

• Winter only

• Spring until fall

• One month

What is the leading cause of water pollution globally?

• Industrial waste

• Urban runoff

• Agricultural activities

• Plastic pollution

Which of the following is a point source of water pollution?

• Runoff from croplands

• Sewage-treatment plant discharge

• Street runoff

• Lawn fertilizer runoff

What happened to the Cuyahoga River in 1969?

• It flooded the city of Cleveland

• It caught fire due to pollution

• It froze over unexpectedly

• It dried up

What percentage of India’s water resources are heavily polluted?

• 25%

• 50%

• 66%

• 75%

What does BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measure?

• Oxygen released by algae

• Oxygen needed by aerobic organisms to break down organic material

• The oxygen produced by photosynthesis

• The amount of dissolved nitrogen