10 Largest Ocean Dead Zones
By Nuno Dominguez and Jeff Meredith
Dead zones are oxygen depleted coastal waters that result from nutrient pollution (excess nitrogen and phosphorus). They typically surround major industrial and agricultural centers.
Since the 1960s, the number of dead zones has doubled every decade according to a recent study published in Science. Close to 400 coastal areas now have dead zones and many of them are growing in size. The largest dead zones in the world are highlighted on this map in red. Dead zones that have diminished appear in green.
To find out more about the world's dead zones, click on each pin on the map.
