Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Challenges

The Gulf of Mexico is a significant ocean basin, surrounded by US and Mexican states and Cuba. It is a vital ecosystem, influenced by watersheds and human activities, and is home to diverse aquatic life. The Gulf is also an industrial hub due to its oil and gas reserves. The Mississippi River plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, providing nutrients that support marine life. However, human activities have led to pollution and hypoxia, creating dead zones that threaten the Gulf's health.

Which of the following states does NOT border the Gulf of Mexico?

• Florida

• Alabama

• Georgia

• Texas

What is a significant human activity that affects the Gulf's ecosystem?

• Bird watching

• Fishing

• Driving cars

• Hiking

What makes the Gulf of Mexico economically important?

• Forestry

• Agriculture

• Oil and gas reserves

• Tourism

What is the primary source of freshwater inflow into the Gulf of Mexico?

• Rio Grande

• Mississippi River

• Colorado River

• Amazon River

How does the Mississippi River influence the Gulf of Mexico?

• By reducing water levels

• By blocking sunlight

• By supplying nutrients

• By providing saltwater

What is the primary cause of algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico?

• Overfishing

• Climate change

• Excess nutrients

• Oil spills

What is the term for the rapid growth of phytoplankton in the Gulf?

• Coral bleaching

• Algae bloom

• Eutrophication

• Sedimentation

What is a hypoxic zone?

• An area with no sunlight

• An area with high oxygen

• An area with high salinity

• An area with low oxygen

What happens to aquatic life in hypoxic zones?

• They experience stress or die

• They reproduce rapidly

• They migrate

• They thrive

How long can hypoxic zones last in the Gulf of Mexico?

• Indefinitely

• A year

• Several months

• A few days