Description

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.

Reviews

"...a timely and thorough analysis of the causes and wide-ranging effects of nutrient pollution on our coastal marine ecosystems. ... Clean Coastal Waters is a 'must-read' for individuals involved in the policy, management, and scientific efforts of nutrient overenrichment in our coastal waters. This compilation provides the most current assessment of our knowledge of the nutrient overenrichment process and, perhaps more importantly, provides an example of how science and management should be able to come together to address a complex and insidious environmental problem. As such, it should also be a great reference for students who might be interested in careers at the interface of science and public policy."
-- Gulf of Mexico Science, December 2002

Authoring Organizations

• Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources (CGER)
• Ocean Studies Board (OSB)
• Earth and Life Studies (DELS)
• More Titles from CGER
• More Titles from OSB
• More Titles from DELS

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