[PDF] Effects Of Reducing Nutrient Loads To Surface Waters Within The Mississippi River Basin And The Gulf Of Mexico eBook

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 91 pages
File Size : 26,39 MB
Release : 2009-07-13
Category : Nature
ISBN : 0309141788

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A large area of coastal waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico experiences seasonal conditions of low levels of dissolved oxygen, a condition known as hypoxia. Excess discharge of nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers causes nutrient overenrichment in the gulf's coastal waters and stimulates the growth of large algae blooms. When these algae die, the process of decomposition depletes dissolved oxygen from the water column and creates hypoxic conditions. In considering how to implement provisions of the Clean Water Act to strengthen nutrient reduction objectives across the Mississippi River basin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested advice from the National Research Council. This book represents the results of the committee's investigations and deliberations, and recommends that the EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture should jointly establish a Nutrient Control Implementation Initiative to learn more about the effectiveness of actions meant to improve water quality throughout the Mississippi River basin and into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Other recommendations include how to move forward on the larger process of allocating nutrient loading caps-which entails delegating responsibilities for reducing nutrient pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus-across the basin.

Author : National Research Council
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 422 pages
File Size : 47,78 MB
Release : 2000-08-17
Category : Science
ISBN : 0309069483

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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.

Author :
Publisher :
Page : pages
File Size : 43,48 MB
Release : 1999
Category : Marine eutrophication
ISBN :

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Collection of six papers prepared by the Hypoxia Work Group of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR), in accordance with Section 604a of Public Law 105-383 to prepare an assessment of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The papers are in pdf format. Contents: 1) Characterization of hypoxia -- 2) Ecological and economic consequences of hypoxia -- 3) Flux and sources of nutrients in the Mississippi-Achafalaya River Basin -- 4) Effects of reducing nutrient loads to surface waters within the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico -- 5) Reducing nutrient loads, especially nitrate-nitrogen, to surface water, groundwater, and the Gulf of Mexico -- 6) Evaluation of economic costs and benefits of methods for reducing nutrient loads to the Gulf of Mexico. The papers are in PDF format.