NOAA
REPORT ON NUTRIENT POLLUTION FORECASTS WORSENING HEALTH
“Observations have confirmed that our nation’s coastal waters are stressed,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “One thing we have learned from this study is that while the accumulation of nutrients in our estuaries has been stable in most of our estuaries, conditions are likely to worsen. The potential for serious degradation in most of our estuaries necessitates that we reinvigorate efforts to address nutrient pollution, and this study helps to confirm that an ecosystem approach is required for improving the health of our estuaries.” (Click NOAA image for a larger view of the grapic showing the current status of estuarine eutrophication in the United Statest. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit "NOAA.")
Eutrophication is caused by excess nutrients in the water, which can result in increased blooms of algae, decreased dissolved oxygen and loss of seagrasses. The end result is loss of critical marine life habitat. The NOAA report, “Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation’s Estuaries: A Decade of Change, National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment Update” is an update of the 1999 National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment, examining eutrophic conditions in 141 U.S. estuaries, and how and why conditions have changed in the decade between the early 1990s and early 2000s. Of the 99 estuaries that had adequate data for evaluation, 64 estuaries have moderate to high level nutrient related impacts. "The team of scientists that worked on this assessment concluded that most of the problems in the estuaries are related to human activities," said lead report author Suzanne Bricker, Ph.D., of NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. "These impacts are occurring in a watershed that currently supports 53 percent of the nation's population, and excluding Alaska accounts for only 17 percent of the nation's land mass. The scientists' assessment is that the ecological health of our coastal waters is seriously threatened by nutrient pollution. We need to comprehensively address the influx of excess nutrients from upland watersheds to protect our nation’s estuaries."
The report's authors did point to several case studies where there is cause for optimism that aggressive management can reverse the trend, citing the Tampa Bay estuary. The bay's water conditions have improved due to regulations that have significantly reduced nutrient loading, thereby clearing the water and allowing seagrasses to rebounded. This report highlights the need for increased federal, state, local and industry partnerships to work together to find well-balanced solutions that provide measurable benefits to all involved.
The scientists specifically suggest taking advantage of the developing integrated ocean observing systems, remote sensing technology and web resources to establish an on-going regular assessment of estuaries nationally. They cite the Pacific Northwest as one area where there currently is insufficient data to make accurate forecast of nutrient inputs. The report was completed in partnership with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science with input from a wide array of state, federal, non-governmental, and academic partners. Data and information were acquired from more than 150 scientists and coastal managers through an on-line survey tool and at a national eutrophication workshop in May, 2006.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment Report Media Contact: Ben Sherman, NOAA Ocean Service, 301-713-3066 ext. 178
|