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The Environment - Why Is El Nino Harmful?

Why is El Nino harmful?

Near the end of each calender year, along the west coast of South America, a warm current of nutrient-poor tropical water moves southward, replacing the cold, nutrient-rich surface waters off the coast of Peru. Because this condition frequently occurs around Christmas, local residents call it El Nino (Spanish for child), referring to the Christ child. In most years the warming lasts for only a few weeks. Occasionally—usually once every three to seven years—the warm waters don't leave. When they last for a year or two, it's called a major El Nino event.

During a major El Nino event, large numbers of fish and marine plants may die. Decomposition of the dead material depletes the water's oxygen supply, which leads to the bacterial production of huge amounts of smelly hydrogen sulfide. A greatly reduced fish (especially anchovy) harvest affects the world's fishmeal supply, leading to higher prices for...

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