Helena Joyce
Nutrient pollution is a form of water pollution caused by an excessive amount of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering a body of water. This can occur due to land development, agriculture, aquaculture, and atmospheric nutrient deposition. Sources of nutrient pollution include surface runoff from farms, waste from septic tanks and feedlots, emissions from burning fuels, and raw sewage. This phenomenon is also known as eutrophication, which causes an excessive growth of algae, also known as algal blooms, which can be toxic to marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Excess nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering water bodies |
| Other Names | Eutrophic pollution, eutrophication |
| Sources | Agriculture, sewage, urban and industrial runoff, atmospheric nutrient deposition, fossil fuels, manure, synthetic fertilizers, septic tanks, animal waste |
| Impact | Algal blooms, oxygen depletion, dead zones, environmental toxicity, climate change |
| Affected Areas | Lakes, rivers, coastal waters, oceans |
| Prevention | Nutrient trading, water quality trading, regulations, reduced fertilizer use |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen and phosphorus
The sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution are diverse and varied. Agriculture is a primary contributor, with the run-off of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilisers. On average, around 20% of nitrogen fertiliser is lost through surface runoff or leaching into groundwater, and a portion of the 60% that vaporises can also end up in the ocean. Urban sources, such as stormwater runoff from cities, are also significant factors. Additionally, non-agricultural sources include wastewater, fossil fuel burning, aquaculture, and domestic waste. The burning of fossil fuels has been shown to account for 25% of nitrogen input in the Baltic Sea and 30% in the Chesapeake Bay.
The impact of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution on marine ecosystems is severe. When dense algal blooms die off, their decomposition depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms struggle to survive. This, in turn, impacts fisheries and tourism. One of the world's largest dead zones occurs every summer in the Gulf of Mexico due to nutrient pollution from the Mississippi River watershed.
The increase in global fertiliser use, combined with the rising production of nitrogen and phosphorus, has led to a tenfold increase in nitrogen discharges from rivers into the sea since the mid-20th century. This has resulted in regional variations, with agriculture being the leading source of nutrient pollution in some regions, while urban wastewater is the primary source in others. The growing human population intensifies food production and wastewater discharge, further contributing to the problem.
Research into nitrogen and phosphorus in oceanography has been extensive and has played a crucial role in advancing knowledge in the field. The stable isotope-based tracking of these nutrients, marine food webs, and biogeochemical processes have become prominent research topics. Climate change and ocean acidification are also emerging as research areas, with links to nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry.
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Eutrophication
The term "eutrophication" comes from the Greek word "eutrophos," meaning "well-nourished." However, in the context of aquatic ecosystems, eutrophication has negative connotations. It disrupts the natural balance of these ecosystems by favouring the growth of simple plant life, reducing biodiversity, and deteriorating water quality.
One of the primary human-induced causes of eutrophication is the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. When fertilizers are introduced to an aquatic ecosystem, they supply plentiful nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, to algae and plankton, resulting in their rapid growth and bloom. This phenomenon is known as a ""harmful algal bloom (HAB)" or ""cyanobacterial HAB."
The increase in nutrient flow from industrial, urban, and agricultural activities accelerates eutrophication in lakes, streams, and coastal waters. The timing, amount, and proportions of nutrients are critical factors contributing to the proliferation of HABs. Additionally, climate change and environmental conditions due to human activities further fuel the growth and spread of algae.
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Agriculture and urban runoff
Nutrient pollution occurs when excessive amounts of nutrients, predominantly nitrogen and phosphorus, are introduced into bodies of water. This process, known as eutrophication, causes fertiliser-like effects, leading to excessive growth of algae. While nutrient pollution has various sources, agriculture and urban runoff are significant contributors.
Agriculture Runoff
Agriculture is a primary source of nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, through the runoff of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilisers. Large-scale concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) produce substantial amounts of waste that often exceed the land's capacity to absorb it. The storage and disposal of this waste can lead to spills and leaks, especially during heavy rains, causing runoff that contaminates surface and groundwater with nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants.
Agricultural practices, such as inefficient irrigation methods, can also contribute to excessive runoff. When irrigation systems are used or during rainfall, water flows over farms and fields, picking up pollutants along the way. This water, known as agricultural runoff, carries pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, and excess nutrients into nearby water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and oceans.
The impact of agricultural runoff is evident in the Gulf of Mexico dead zone, where nutrient pollution from agricultural activities has led to oxygen depletion, creating deadly conditions for marine life. Additionally, the Great Barrier Reef has suffered extensive damage from agricultural runoff, with pesticides, herbicides, and excess nutrients flowing into the marine environment.
Urban Runoff
Urban runoff is another significant contributor to nutrient pollution. Rain and snow runoff from roofs, roads, and pavements carry nitrogen and phosphorus from urban landscapes, such as fertilisers, detergents, and plant debris, into local waterways. Urban stormwater, combined with the concentration of pollutants, impairs urban watersheds physically, chemically, and biologically.
The impact of urban runoff is well illustrated in the Chesapeake Bay, where heavy rainfall led to increased runoff, resulting in eutrophication and low oxygen levels in the water. Urban development and construction also contribute to marine pollution, with plastics and untreated sewage being discharged into the ocean.
Combined Effects
Both agriculture and urban runoff have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The excessive nutrients from these sources alter food webs and disrupt the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the decomposition of organic matter in manure and algae contributes to increased biological oxygen demand (BOD), leading to low oxygen levels that can be detrimental to marine life.
To address these issues, comprehensive plans and partnerships are being developed to reduce nutrient loading and improve watershed health. These include restoration projects, best management practices, and modelling tools to mitigate agricultural, municipal, and urban stormwater runoff.
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Chemical pollutants
Nutrient pollution is mainly caused by nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilisers, causing excessive growth of algae. However, chemical pollutants are also a significant form of oceanic and coastal pollution. These pollutants come from a variety of sources, including crude oil and other petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and heavy metals. Urban areas and agricultural activities are major contributors to chemical pollution, with pollutants entering the ocean through sewage leaks and ineffective water treatment.
One of the most well-known sources of chemical pollution in the ocean is crude oil and other petroleum products. Oil spills have long been recognised as a major threat to marine life, and while they are becoming less frequent due to improved technologies and policies, they still occur and have devastating consequences for marine ecosystems. In addition, oil discharge and shipping activities also contribute to the presence of petroleum products in the ocean.
Pesticides are another significant chemical pollutant. These chemicals are used in agriculture and urban areas to control pests and can enter water systems through runoff or atmospheric deposition. While pesticides can be effective in pest control, their presence in the ocean can have detrimental effects on marine life. Similarly, herbicides, which are used to control unwanted vegetation, can also find their way into water bodies and contribute to chemical pollution.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are also increasingly being recognised as marine pollutants. These products, which include medications, health and beauty products, and cleaning supplies, can enter the ocean through sewage systems and ineffective water treatment processes. Many of these products contain chemicals that can have unknown ecological effects, and their continuous release into the ocean is cause for concern.
Heavy metals are another type of chemical pollutant that can have severe impacts on marine life. These metals can come from a variety of sources, such as industrial discharge and runoff from urban areas. They can accumulate in marine organisms, leading to health issues and even death.
Chemical pollution in the ocean is a complex issue that requires immediate attention. These pollutants have far-reaching consequences, impacting marine life and ecosystems. While some progress has been made in reducing certain sources of chemical pollution, such as oil spills, it is clear that more comprehensive efforts are needed to address the various forms of chemical pollutants and their persistent effects on the ocean.
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Algal blooms
Nutrient pollution is the process where an overabundance of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to bodies of water. These nutrients act as fertilisers, causing excessive growth of algae, also known as algal blooms. Algal blooms can be dramatic and are a result of excess nutrients from fertilisers, wastewater, and stormwater runoff, coinciding with lots of sunlight, warm temperatures, and shallow, slow-flowing water.
Algae is a broad term for organisms with varying sizes, growth rates, and nutrient requirements. Thus, there is no scientific consensus on a threshold for defining an algal bloom. However, blooms can be described and quantified through various measurements, such as new algal biomass, the concentration of photosynthetic pigment, or the relative concentration of algae in the microbial community.
There are three major categories for managing algal blooms: mitigation, prevention, and control. Mitigation involves routine monitoring of toxins in shellfish and overall surveillance to monitor and quantify harmful algal blooms. Prevention focuses on reducing surface runoff carrying excess nutrients by increasing permeable surfaces and vegetation to absorb and slow down the pollution. Control includes moving fish pens away from algal blooms and implementing restrictions to keep contaminated shellfish off the food market.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are accelerated by nutrient pollution from human activities, particularly in coastal areas near estuaries. Agriculture is a primary source of nitrogen and phosphorus through the runoff of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilisers. Urban sources, such as stormwater runoff from cities, are also significant contributors. The growing human population intensifies food production and wastewater discharge, increasing the nutrient load in water bodies.
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Frequently asked questions
Nutrient pollution is a form of water pollution caused by an excess of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering bodies of water.
Nutrient pollution is caused by human activities such as the use of synthetic fertilizers, the burning of fossil fuels, agricultural animal production, and industrial, urban, and agricultural activities.
Nutrient pollution causes eutrophication, which leads to excessive growth of algae, known as algal blooms. These algal blooms can be toxic and deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water when they die off, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms cannot survive.
