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08.13.06

Dead Zone

The most severe low-oxygen ocean conditions ever observed on the West Coast of the U.S. have turned parts of Oregon's ocean into a "dead zone", a new survey shows. According to researchers at Oregon State, this is by far the worst such event since the phenomenon was first identified in 2002. Levels of dissolved oxygen are approaching zero in some locations, functioning to suffocate marine life on a massive scale. The cause of the "dead zone" is believed to be strong upwelling winds which have allowed a low-oxygen pool of deep water to build up near shore. For more info: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2006/Aug06/dieoff.html