Currently, the US Gulf of Mexico experiences an annual and seasonal “dead zone” due to hypoxia. Hypoxia is a low level of dissolved oxygen (<2 mg/L) in an area of ​​water. Hypoxia is typically temporary and seasonal, but low oxygen levels can be devastating to aquatic organisms. Hypoxia occurs in many ocean waters around the world, but there is an area of ​​growing concern in the Gulf of Mexico coast. Hypoxia is largely caused by the application of nitrogen fertilizers for agriculture, with heavy concentrations coming from the Midwestern United States. Nitrogen mobilizes as nitrate and is transported via surface water runoff. Runoff enters ditches supported by drain tiles, enters streams, and joins the Mississippi River, eventually reaching the gulf. Nitrate mobilization is a problem for human and agricultural health. runoff is also often attributed to contamination of surface and well water sources in rural areas. High levels of nitrate limit the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. This can harm humans and is the leading cause of childhood methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby syndrome.” The standard safe consumption level is 10 mg/l. Nitrogen and nitrates are related to hypoxia through the process of eutrophication. Since nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in most waters, the additional supply of nitrate causes massive algae growth. The algae quickly consume all available nitrogen, and once nutrients are limited again, the algae die en masse. As the algae decomposes, the oxygen in the water decreases. This dangerously lowers the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, harming living organisms in the area. Small organisms and organisms that are immobile or unable to escape low-oxygen areas are particularly vulnerable. Hypoxia and resulting “dead zones” are harmful to the local fishing and shrimping industries, while algal blooms harm the tourism industry. Hypoxia has led to an approximately 25% decrease in brown shrimp habitat, forcing shrimp fishing operations further offshore. As the problem of hypoxia continues to grow, the negative effects on humans will only increase. Since the runoff of nitrates from ag. has been shown to be the primary source of hypoxia, policies could be implemented to effectively address “point source” pollution. This makes environmental policy implementation more easily adaptable, possibly included in past policies such as the Clean Water Act. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the most cost-effective solution would be to simply reduce the amount of nitrates entering the gulf by 1.2 millions. metric tons. According to calculations, this would not result in significant agricultural yields but would reduce the amount of hypoxia.