Dead zone (ecology)

In ecology, a "dead zone" refers to an area in a body of water where the oxygen levels are so low that most marine life cannot survive. These areas are also known as hypoxic zones, and they can occur in oceans, estuaries, and other bodies of water. Dead zones often result from nutrient pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorus. When these nutrients enter the water, they can lead to excessive growth of algae, a process known as algal bloom.