Clean Coastal Waters: Understanding and Reducing the Effects of Nutrient Pollution (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780309069489)

Environmental problems in coastal ecosystems can sometimes be attributed to excess nutrients flowing from upstream watersheds into estuarine settings. This nutrient over-enrichment can result in toxic algal blooms, shellfish poisoning, coral reef destruction, and other harmful outcomes. All U.S. coasts show signs of nutrient over-enrichment, and scientists predict worsening problems in the years ahead.

Clean Coastal Waters explains technical aspects of nutrient over-enrichment and proposes both immediate local action by coastal managers and a longer-term national strategy incorporating policy design, classification of affected sites, law and regulation, coordination, and communication.

Highlighting the Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone," the Pfiesteria outbreak in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, and other cases, the book explains how nutrients work in the environment, why nitrogen is important, how enrichment turns into over-enrichment, and why some environments are especially susceptible. Economic as well as ecological impacts are examined.

In addressing abatement strategies, the committee discusses the importance of monitoring sites, developing useful models of over-enrichment, and setting water quality goals. The book also reviews voluntary programs, mandatory controls, tax incentives, and other policy options for reducing the flow of nutrients from agricultural operations and other sources.

Author: National Research Council,Commission on Geosciences Environment an,Water Science and Technology Board
ISBN-10: 0309069483
ISBN-13: 9780309069489
Publisher: National Academies Press
Language: English
Published: 08/17/2000
Pages: 428
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.80lbs
Size: 9.35h x 6.33w x 1.28d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2001 pg. 936
Scitech Book News 09/01/2001 pg. 139