How can stormwater pollution adversely affect the environment?
Toxic materials including petroleum products, pesticides, detergents, and other chemcials can harm aquatic ecosystems by killing organisms including fish, shellfish, and vegetation. Nutrients including the nitrogen and phosphorus found in fertilizers and animal waste can cause an overgrowth of algae which can drive out indigenous plants and animals. In addition, when the algae die off, the decaying matter can deplete the water body of oxygen killing the fish and other aquatic organisms. Sediments deposited to waterways by stormwater runoff increases the turbidity of waters and limits the depth to which light can penetrate, thereby decreasing the inhabitable space that aquatic vegetation can survive. Sediments can also settle on, and smother, existing vegetation. Who is affected by stormwater pollution? Everyone can be affected by sotmrwater pollution including boaters, fishermen, and anyone who enjoys the natural beauty of the Tampa Bay area. To what water bodies does the stormwater fr
