Table of Figures *
List of Tables *
Glossary of Terms *
List of Acronyms *
Conversion Factors and Abbreviations *
Executive Summary *
1. Introduction *
1.1. Hypoxia and the Northern Gulf of Mexico - A Brief Overview *
1.2. Science and Management Goals for Reducing Hypoxia *
1.3. Hypoxia Study Group *
1.4. The Study Group's Approach *
2. Characterization of Hypoxia *
2.1. Processes in the Formation of Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. *
2.1.1. Historical Patterns and Evidence for Hypoxia on the Shelf *
2.1.2. The Physical Context *
2.1.3. Role of N and P in Controlling Primary Production *
2.1.4. Other Limiting Factors and the Role of Si *
2.1.5. Sources of Organic Matter to the Hypoxic Zone *
2.1.6. Denitrification, P Burial, and Nutrient Recycling *
2.1.7. Possible Regime Shift in the Gulf of Mexico *
2.1.8. Single Versus Dual Nutrient Removal Strategies *
2.1.9. Current State of Forecasting *
3. Nutrient Fate, Transport, and Sources *
3.1. Temporal Characteristics of Streamflow and Nutrient Flux *
3.1.1. MARB Annual and Seasonal Fluxes *
3.1.2. Subbasin Annual and Seasonal Flux *
3.2. Mass Balance of Nutrients *
3.3. Nutrient Transport Processes *
3.4. Ability to Route and Predict Nutrient Delivery to the Gulf *
4. Scientific Basis for Goals and Management Options *
4.1. Adaptive Management *
4.2. Setting Targets for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Reduction *
4.3. Protecting Water Quality and Social Welfare in the Basin *
4.4. Cost-Effective Approaches for Nonpoint Source Control *
4.4.1. Voluntary programs - without economic incentives *
4.4.2. Existing Agricultural Conservation Programs *
4.4.3. Emissions and Water Quality Trading Programs *
4.4.4. Agricultural Subsidies and Conservation Compliance Provisions *
4.4.5. Taxes *
4.4.6. Eco-labeling and Consumer Driven Demand *
4.5. Options for Managing Nutrients, Co-benefits, and Consequences *
4.5.1. Agricultural drainage *
4.5.2. Freshwater Wetlands *
4.5.3. Conservation Buffers *
4.5.4. Cropping systems *
4.5.5. Animal Production Systems *
4.5.6. In-field Nutrient Management *
4.5.7. Effective Actions for Other Nonpoint Sources *
4.5.8. Most Effective Actions for Industrial and Municipal Sources *
4.5.9. Ethanol and Water Quality in the MARB *
4.5.10. Integrating Conservation Options *
5. Summary of Findings and Recommendations *
5.1. Charge Questions on Characterization of Hypoxia *
5.2. Charge Questions on Nutrient Fate, Transport and Sources *
5.3. Charge Questions on Goals and Management Options *
5.4. Conclusion *
References *
Appendices *
A. Appendix A: Studies on the Effects of Hypoxia on Living Resources *
B. Appendix B: Flow diagrams and Mass Balance of Nutrients *
C. Appendix C: USEPA's Guidance on Nutrient Criteria *
D. Appendix D: Calculation of Point Source Inputs of N and P *
E. Appendix E: Animal Production Systems *
