What Are the Common Environmental Problems?
While geographic and demographic factors differ among estuaries in the National Estuary Program, many of them share the following environmental problems: eutrophication, contamination from toxic substances and pathogens, habitat loss, altered freshwater inflows, and endangered and non-native species. Common sources of these problems include releases of pollutants from industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants, runoff from stormwater and agricultural land, and discharges of waste from boaters and swimmers. Developing land and diverting freshwater also can alter habitats and potentially threaten fishery and wildlife populations. Eutrophication Eutrophication is a process in which excessive plant growth on the water’s surface lowers oxygen levels and prevents sunlight from penetrating the water, which can threaten fishery populations and their habitat. Fertilizers and inadequately treated sewage often contain phosphorous and nitrogen that can act as nutrients to stimulate exce
