[wolfcreek]

IIRC, the area of the spill is a deadzone created by fertilizer run-off from the Mississippi. (causing low O2 levels)

Wonder what effect that might haveon this whole process?

[thackney]

IIRC, the spill is not directly in that dead zone. It would not have affected fishing so greatly if it was.

I believe that dead zone from fertilizer moves around.

Also, in the dead zone it would slow down the breakdown of oil due to the lack of oxygen.