ARS | Publication request: CLEAN COASTAL WATERS: UNDERSTANDING AND REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF NUTRIENT POLLUTION

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: October 20, 2000
Publication Date: December 20, 2000
Citation: Howarth, R.W., Anderson, D.M., Church, T.M., Greening, H., Hopkinson, C.S., Huber, W.C., Marcus, N., Naiman, R.J., Segerson, K., Sharpley, A.N. 2000. Clean coastal waters: understanding and reducing the effects of nutrient pollution. National Academy Press. 405 p.

Technical Abstract: In an effort to provide advice to federal, state, and local government agencies charged with addressing the growing problems associated with nutrient over-enrichment, the National Research Council created the Committee on the Causes and Management of Coastal Eutrophication. Through the efforts of this committee and other volunteers, the NRC published this book; "Clean Coastal Waters: Understanding and Reducing the Effects of Nutrient Pollution." In the book it is shown that nutrient pollution is currently the largest pollution problem in the coastal rivers and bays of the United States and is likely to increase globally as human use of inorganic fertilizers and fossil fuels - the two dominant sources of nutrients - continues to intensify, at least on a global basis. Much remains to be learned about the geographic extent and severity of eutrophication, the relative susceptibility of different coastal ecosystems, and the most effective nutrient control strategies. There is also a great need to better translate scientific knowledge into effective policy and management strategies, which requires an understanding of the complex oceanic, estuarine, and watershed processes that contribute to eutrophication. With this better understanding, more effective techniques can be developed for reducing and preventing nutrient pollution, eutrophication, and associated impacts.