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Dead Zones in Coastal Ecosystems

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Ecosystems
  • Environmental Science
  • Human Population & Impacts
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Data Points

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
39 Users
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Description

This activity guides the analysis of a published scientific figure from a study on low-oxygen areas in the ocean called dead zones.

Dead zones, also known as hypoxic systems, are often linked to human activity. They are frequently created through eutrophication, an excessive increase in nutrients from fertilizer, sewage, and other forms of water pollution. The figure shows the locations of over 400 dead zones (white dots) on a map of the global human footprint. Areas with a higher human footprint are more impacted by humans.

The “Educator Materials” document includes a captioned figure, background information, graph interpretation, and discussion questions. The “Student Handout” includes a captioned figure and background information.

Student Learning Targets

  • Analyze and interpret data from a scientific figure. 
  • Assess global impacts of human activities on coastal ecosystems.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

algal bloom, eutrophication, heat map, human footprint, hypoxia, marine biology, marine ecosystem, oceanography, oxygen, pollution, runoff

Primary Literature

Diaz, Robert J., and Rutger Rosenberg. “Spreading Dead Zones and Consequences for Marine Ecosystems.” Science 321, 5891 (2008): 926–929. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1156401. 

To access this article, set up a free AAAS account.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 09.19.16
Date Updated 10.26.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-6, HS-ESS3-6; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1.I, SYI-2.B; SP1, SP4

IB Biology (2016)

C.6

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 5.4, 5.11, 8.1, 8.2, 8.5
Learning Objectives & Practices: EIN-2.N, STB-3.A, STB-3.B, EIN-2.N, SP1, SP2, SP7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

1.5, 2.5, 4.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7
Math.S-ID.3, Math.S-IC.1; MP2, MP5

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials

Image (JPG) 124 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 1 MB
Student Handout (PDF) 743 KB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 433 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 375 KB

Related Science News

One-third of America’s rivers have changed color since 1984
Deadly Algae Are Creeping Northward
Humanity Is Flushing Away One of Life’s Essential Elements
Hundreds of lakes in U.S., Europe are losing oxygen

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