Clean Coastal Waters: Understanding and Reducing the Effects of Nutrient Pollution

National Research Council, and Committee on the Causes and Management of Eutrophication, and Ocean Studies Board

ISBN 10: 0309069483 / ISBN 13: 9780309069489

Published by National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2000

About this Item

Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. xvi, 405 p. Illustrations. Refernces. Index. To provide advice to federal, state, and local government agencies charged with addressing the growing problems associated with nutrient pollution and eutrophication, the National Research Council charged the Committee on the Causes and Management of Coastal Eutrophication to review current knowledge of watershed, estuarine, and coastal processes and their roles in eutrophication; assess past and ongoing efforts to monitor and assess water quality on a variety of scales; and address barriers to implementation of effective management practices and regulatory strategies for preventing and reducing nutrient enrichment and its effects.

Seller Inventory # 68664

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Clean Coastal Waters: Understanding and Reducing the Effects of Nutrient Pollution
• Publisher: National Academies Press, Washington, DC
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309069483
• ISBN 13: 9780309069489
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Presumed first edition/first printing.
• Condition: Very good. No dust jacket.

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

Committee on the Causes and Management of Eutrophication, Ocean Studies Board, Water Science and Technology Board, National Research Council