HYPOXIA IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO IBD

Sinopse

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 *