Nation Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is smaller than usual. But there ‘isn’t much to celebrate,’ expert says August 5, 2020Doyle Rice, USA TODAYComments Off on Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is smaller than usual. But there ‘isn’t much to celebrate,’ expert says The annual Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" - where there isn't enough oxygen to support marine life - will be the third-smallest on record this summer.