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NRMRL'S NUTRIENT-RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Citation:
O'Shea*, M L. NRMRL'S NUTRIENT-RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH. Presented at Western States TMDl Practitioners Workshop: Building Bridges and Finding Solutions, San Diego, CA, 11/13-16/00.
Description:
Anthropogenic loadings of nutrients into our Nation's atmosphere, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems have increased dramatically within the past few decades. Environmental impairments associated with this over fertilization include aquatic habitat loss due to low dissolved oxygen conditions associated with eutrophication; ammonia and nitrite toxicity of aquatic organisms; loss of important nursery habitats such as seagrass beds and coral communities due to nutrient toxicity, reduced water column transparency, and competition from outperforming species; species shifts within phytoplankton communities, often toward nuisance or human-health-impcting (e.g., "red tide") species; the acidification of high elevation lakes and streams; and, the loss of terrestrial biodiversity. Human health risks associated with nutrients include an increase in the frequency, severity, and area affected by harmful algal blooms; nitrate contamination of aquifers and other potable water supplies; increasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation ssociated with the atmospheric emission of the greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide; and increasing incidences of respiratory illnesses associated with nitrogen oxides emitted from automobiles, power plants, and other combustion processes. Challenges to managint the risk posed by nutrients to the aquatic ecosystem include determining which nutrient to control and by how much, understanding the relative importance of sources and how their boavailability and loadings vary spatially and seasonally, determining where and when controls are needed, and the choice of potential control(s) to employ. The poster presentation will outline research, both ongoing and planned, by the USEPA's NRMRL that addresses many of the outstanding needs associated with the effective and economic management of nutrient pollution.