The Stream, April 30: Dead Zones Appear in Open Waters of the Atlantic

The Global Rundown

Dead zones are appearing in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A water theft is being investigated in Colorado, and a McDonald’s frozen fry processing plant has been fined for polluting water in China.

“The fact that the water is missing, there really is no doubt about that. The question is how did that happen?” — L.J. Mott, professional engineer and the District 2 director for the Big Sandy Ground Water District in Colorado where some water has gone unaccounted for. (Colorado Springs Gazette)

By The Numbers

2.4 million gallons – Water theft in Calhan, Colorado currently being investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Questions arose with a discrepancy between reported water sales from the Upper Big Sandy Ground Water Management District and actual pumping amounts between July and September of 2014. Colorado Springs Gazette

Science, Studies, And Reports

Scientists have discovered dead zones – pockets of water with little to no oxygen where life does not thrive – in open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a first, as dead zones normally occur near coastlines where polluted rivers empty into the sea. Climate change is expected to increase the occurrence of dead zones worldwide. Washington Post

On The Radar

In China, authorities have fined a J.R. Simplot processing unit for discharging contaminated waste water. J.R. Simplot produces frozen fries for McDonald’s, and their Beijing unit was fined $US 632,370. China strengthened its environmental regulations in early 2015. Reuters