Brian Barton
Wetlands are increasingly at risk from pollution, threatening drinking water supplies and reducing biodiversity. They are particularly susceptible to pollution as they are often found in the lower reaches of watercourses, fed by numerous streams and waterways, and therefore have the potential to receive and collect pollution from a wide area. This pollution can then build up and have a detrimental impact on the health of a wetland. For example, toxic chemicals carried into a wetland in runoff can be trapped along with settled soil particles, and either buried in the sediments or converted into less harmful chemical forms by biological processes or exposure to sunlight. However, if the input of pollutants exceeds the wetland's natural ability to absorb them, degradation can occur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution Type | Fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, toxins like mercury, lead, copper, nickel, etc. |
| Human Activity | Drainage, conversion to farmland, development, damming, adding pavement, diverting water flow, etc. |
| Natural Threats | Droughts, climate change, wildfires |
| Other Factors | Grazing of domestic animals, invasive species, habitat fragmentation, water level changes, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Climate change and physical disturbances
Wetlands are increasingly at risk from pollution, threatening drinking water supplies and reducing biodiversity. Climate change and physical disturbances are major contributors to wetland pollution.
Wetlands are often found in the lower reaches of watercourses or are fed by numerous streams and waterways. As a result, they can "receive and collect" pollution from a wide area, which can then build up and have a detrimental effect on the wetland's health. Climate change, in conjunction with other stressors such as land development, exacerbates the loss of wetlands.
The effects of climate change on wetlands include altered hydrology and rising temperatures, which can change the biogeochemistry and function of a wetland. For example, wetlands may no longer provide water purification services and may start decomposing and releasing nutrients into the surface water. Warmer temperatures, drought, and changing precipitation patterns can increase evapotranspiration, leading to water losses. Drought conditions can also increase the frequency of wildfires, which can further alter water quality and the structure and function of wetlands.
Coastal wetlands are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise. The introduction of saltwater into non-tidal wetlands can inhibit their ability to move inland due to coastal development. Climate change can also disrupt sediment accretion in tidal wetlands, leading to vegetation "drowning." The decrease in coastal wetlands threatens coastal estuary protection and restoration efforts, as wetlands play a crucial role in flood control, storm surge buffering, and erosion control.
In addition to climate change, physical disturbances caused by human activities pose a significant threat to wetlands. Development activities such as drainage, damming, paving, and diverting water flow can alter the soil's hydrologic condition and impact the presence of water in the soil. If there is no water, there is no wetland. Human activities can also directly contribute to pollution in wetlands through the use of fertilizers and pesticides in intensive farming and the release of toxins from factories.
The combination of wetland disturbance from human activities and climate change can have a greater impact on wetland functions than either stressor alone. Protecting wetlands from these disturbances is crucial for their persistence in the face of a changing climate.
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Human activity and development
Agricultural practices, including the use of fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides, are a major source of wetland pollution. Excess nutrients from these chemicals can stimulate excessive plant, algae, and cyanobacteria growth in wetlands, leading to the production of toxic chemicals and the displacement of natural vegetation and wildlife. Additionally, the grazing of domestic animals and the introduction of invasive species can further degrade wetland vegetation and disrupt the native ecosystem.
Urbanisation and industrial development also play a role in wetland pollution. Human sewage, road salts, heavy metals, and air pollution from urban areas can contaminate wetlands. Industrial activities contribute pollutants such as toxins, mercury, and other heavy metals. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on the health and reproduction of plants and animals within the wetland ecosystem, reducing biodiversity.
Another consequence of human development is the alteration of water flow and drainage patterns. Wetlands are sensitive to changes in water levels, and activities such as damming, drainage, or diverting water flow can disrupt the natural hydrologic conditions. This can lead to the drying of wetlands, making them more vulnerable to fires and further degradation.
Furthermore, human development, including the conversion of land for agriculture, urban expansion, and infrastructure projects, has resulted in the direct loss of wetland habitats. In the lower 48 states of the US, over half of the original wetlands have been lost due to development, with similar trends observed in other parts of the world. This loss of habitat poses a significant threat to biodiversity, as many species depend on wetlands for their survival.
While human activity has undoubtedly contributed to wetland pollution and degradation, it is important to recognise that wetlands also play a crucial role in addressing pollution. They act as natural filters, trapping and removing pollutants from water, and can help improve water quality. However, the increasing threats posed by human development underscore the urgency of conservation efforts and the need for responsible human practices to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
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Agricultural and lawn fertilisers
Wetlands are susceptible to pollution due to their location at the lower reaches of watercourses, allowing them to "receive and collect" pollutants from a wide area. This pollution, including that from agricultural and lawn fertilisers, poses a significant threat to wetlands, impacting drinking water supplies and reducing biodiversity.
Agricultural fertilisers are a major source of nutrient pollution in water, particularly in coastal areas. Nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from agricultural fields contribute to "dead zones," where excessive nutrients deplete oxygen levels, creating stressful conditions for aquatic life. This nutrient overload, known as eutrophication, leads to uncontrolled algae growth, resulting in hypoxic or anoxic conditions that are detrimental to the health of aquatic ecosystems.
The use of fertilisers in agriculture and lawn care can have detrimental effects on wetlands. While fertilisers supply essential nutrients to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, their excessive application can result in runoff into nearby water bodies. This runoff carries excess nutrients, leading to eutrophication and the subsequent depletion of oxygen as the algae die off.
Lawn fertilisers contribute to this issue as well. Even organic fertilisers, such as manure, can cause algae blooms if overapplied. The excess nutrients from lawn fertilisers can runoff into streams and lakes, creating toxic conditions for aquatic life and even posing risks to people and their pets. While some states have banned phosphorus-containing lawn fertilisers, the impact of these regulations may be limited as most fertiliser companies have already voluntarily removed phosphorus from their products.
The impact of fertiliser pollution on wetlands is significant. Wetlands act as natural filters, helping to remove pollutants from water. However, when overloaded with nutrients from fertilisers, their ability to effectively filter and restore balance to the ecosystem is compromised. This pollution buildup can have a detrimental effect on the health of wetlands, threatening the plants and animals that depend on them and reducing biodiversity.
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Plastic pollution
Wetlands, which are often found in the lower reaches of watercourses, are particularly vulnerable to pollution. They can "receive and collect" pollution from a wide area, which then builds up and has a significant impact on their health. While human activity is the most prevalent cause of wetland destruction or degradation, wetlands are also threatened by natural forces such as droughts.
The impact of plastic pollution on wetlands has been the subject of several studies. It has been found to significantly increase soil organic matter and organic carbon while decreasing inorganic nutrient elements, bacterial diversity, and enzyme activities. This, in turn, limits plant growth and enhances greenhouse gas emissions. The concentration and exposure time of plastics play a crucial role in influencing the soil and plant properties in wetlands.
The findings on the effects of plastic pollution can help design further investigations and develop appropriate measures to mitigate plastic pollution in wetlands. While wetlands are vulnerable to pollution, they also play a crucial role in addressing it. Wetlands act as natural filters, helping to remove pollutants from the water.
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Invasive species
The complex relationships between living organisms in wetland environments are typically self-regulating, but invasive species can upset this balance. Proactive management is the most effective strategy for dealing with invasive species, as it is easier to prevent their introduction than to address an established problem. Routine professional inspections and wetland monitoring can help identify invasive species before they proliferate, and dedicated planting of hearty plant species can improve the stability of native plants and create competition that deters the growth of undesirable species.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of pollution in wetlands are human activities such as agriculture, drainage, development, and silviculture.
Human activities such as agriculture and lawn care can introduce pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals into wetlands. These pollutants can act as plant fertilizers, stimulating excessive plant, algae, and cyanobacteria growth, which can produce toxic chemicals and choke out natural vegetation and wildlife.
Pollution can build up in wetlands, threatening the drinking water supply for millions and reducing biodiversity. The accumulation of toxic metals and chemicals can kill plants, allowing moisture to escape and turning wetlands into tinderboxes that are susceptible to wildfires.
