http://toxics.usgs.gov/hypoxia/mississippi/oct_jun/graphics.html
An email from the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee alerted us that the US Geological Survey has released a preliminary report indicating the highest Nitrogen and Phosphorous loads in three decades were delivered to the Gulf of Mexico's "Hypoxic Zone" between October and June this year.
It makes sense that historic, record breaking rainfall this year would wash almost all of the Spring fertilizers directly into the river. They are, after all, water soluble.
Nutrient flow was about 50% higher than the spring nutirient loads averaged since 1980. It should be interesting to see how big the Hypoxic Zone will be this year, but that picture won't be out until next year at least.
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