How do they affect Narragansett Bay?
Moderate levels of nutrients are essential to support the food chains in the Bay. However, when excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus are present, and increase in primary production and an explosive growth of phytoplankton can result. Phytoplankton will reproduce rapidly into a large bloom; nutrients will be consumed until they are depleted. Without a food supply, the large population of phytoplankton will then collapse. When the plankton begin to die off and break down, the process of decomposition will use up oxygen dissolved in the water column. As oxygen levels decline, the ecosystem will no longer be able to support fish, crabs, and other aquatic life. This low-oxygen condition is known as hypoxia.
