What are the sources of copper in West Bay? What affect does copper have on seagrass growth?
Copper is a metal and metals occur naturally in the environment, but humans can concentrate and redistribute copper through mining and wastewater disposal. Copper attaches to soil and so it often enters an estuary during stormwater runoff. Once in the aquatic ecosystem, it can be absorbed by plants and animals and stored in the tissues of these organisms. Even though copper is not as toxic as heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, in high enough concentrations, it can be harmful. Copper can slow down the recovery time of plants and animals. Copper can also reduce the productivity of seagrass beds. Copper can also produce carcinogens that effect the growth of the plants and animals in the estuary.
