Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Table of Figures *

List of Tables *

Glossary of Terms *

List of Acronyms *

Conversion Factors and Abbreviations *

Executive Summary *

1. Introduction *

1.1. Hypoxia and the Northern Gulf of Mexico - A Brief Overview *

1.2. Science and Management Goals for Reducing Hypoxia *

1.3. Hypoxia Study Group *

1.4. The Study Group's Approach *

2. Characterization of Hypoxia *

2.1. Processes in the Formation of Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. *

2.1.1. Historical Patterns and Evidence for Hypoxia on the Shelf *

2.1.2. The Physical Context *

2.1.3. Role of N and P in Controlling Primary Production *

2.1.4. Other Limiting Factors and the Role of Si *

2.1.5. Sources of Organic Matter to the Hypoxic Zone *

2.1.6. Denitrification, P Burial, and Nutrient Recycling *

2.1.7. Possible Regime Shift in the Gulf of Mexico *

2.1.8. Single Versus Dual Nutrient Removal Strategies *

2.1.9. Current State of Forecasting *

3. Nutrient Fate, Transport, and Sources *

3.1. Temporal Characteristics of Streamflow and Nutrient Flux *

3.1.1. MARB Annual and Seasonal Fluxes *

3.1.2. Subbasin Annual and Seasonal Flux *

3.2. Mass Balance of Nutrients *

3.3. Nutrient Transport Processes *

3.4. Ability to Route and Predict Nutrient Delivery to the Gulf *

4. Scientific Basis for Goals and Management Options *

4.1. Adaptive Management *

4.2. Setting Targets for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Reduction *

4.3. Protecting Water Quality and Social Welfare in the Basin *

4.4. Cost-Effective Approaches for Nonpoint Source Control *

4.4.1. Voluntary programs - without economic incentives *

4.4.2. Existing Agricultural Conservation Programs *

4.4.3. Emissions and Water Quality Trading Programs *

4.4.4. Agricultural Subsidies and Conservation Compliance Provisions *

4.4.5. Taxes *

4.4.6. Eco-labeling and Consumer Driven Demand *

4.5. Options for Managing Nutrients, Co-benefits, and Consequences *

4.5.1. Agricultural drainage *

4.5.2. Freshwater Wetlands *

4.5.3. Conservation Buffers *

4.5.4. Cropping systems *

4.5.5. Animal Production Systems *

4.5.6. In-field Nutrient Management *

4.5.7. Effective Actions for Other Nonpoint Sources *

4.5.8. Most Effective Actions for Industrial and Municipal Sources *

4.5.9. Ethanol and Water Quality in the MARB *

4.5.10. Integrating Conservation Options *

5. Summary of Findings and Recommendations *

5.1. Charge Questions on Characterization of Hypoxia *

5.2. Charge Questions on Nutrient Fate, Transport and Sources *

5.3. Charge Questions on Goals and Management Options *

5.4. Conclusion *

References *

Appendices *

A. Appendix A: Studies on the Effects of Hypoxia on Living Resources *

B. Appendix B: Flow diagrams and Mass Balance of Nutrients *

C. Appendix C: USEPA's Guidance on Nutrient Criteria *

D. Appendix D: Calculation of Point Source Inputs of N and P *

E. Appendix E: Animal Production Systems *