Latest Eutrophication Stories

Most polluted or damaged ecosystems worldwide can recover within a lifetime if societies commit to their cleanup or restoration, according to an analysis of 240 independent studies by researchers at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Their findings will appear in the June edition of the journal PLoS ONE.The Yale researchers found that forest ecosystems recovered in 42 years on average, while ocean bottoms recovered in less than 10 years. When examined by disturbance...

A U.S. scientist urges that equal attention be given to phosphorus and nitrogen produced by human activity that are degrading water quality and aquatic life. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Professor Hans Paerl notes the priority has historically been given to controlling phosphorus. But Paerl argues nitrogen imbalance is equally damaging and a dual nutrient strategy is necessary to manage the problem effectively. The combination of human population growth, urbanization and...

New study argues need for dual nutrient strategy to improve aquatic ecosystemsExcess phosphorus and nitrogen produced by human activities on neighboring land is making its way into our coastal waters and degrading both water quality and aquatic life. Although historically the priority has been to control phosphorus, Professor Hans Paerl, from the University of North Carolina in the US, argues that nitrogen imbalance is equally damaging. He adds that a dual nutrient strategy "“ tackling both...

The origin of the massive green tide of algae that nearly wrecked the Beijing Olympics sailing regatta has been discovered by scientists, BBC news reported Wednesday.  Satellite images divulge evidence that swift development of farmed seaweed nearly 200km down the coast is the cause for the colossal algal bloom. As the green tide drifted closer to the regatta city of Qingdao, it multiplied in size, so much so that it is regarded the largest ever recorded in the entire world.  It was...

Protecting drinking water and preventing harmful coastal "dead zones", as well as eutrophication in many lakes, will require reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Because streams and rivers are conduits to the sea, management strategies should be implemented along the land-to-ocean continuum. In most cases, strategies that focus only on one nutrient will fail.These policy recommendations were put forth by a team of distinguished scientists in the recent issue of Science,...

An international group of scientists is renewing calls for policymakers to reduce both nitrogen and phosphorus when attempting to alleviate eutrophication "“ or nutrient pollution problems "“ in fresh and coastal waters. In the February 20 edition of Science, the researchers argue that dual-nutrient reduction strategies are likely to be more successful due to complex interactions between nitrogen and phosphorus in fresh and coastal water ecosystems."If the overall goal of nutrient...

So far environmental protection of the Baltic Sea has not been successful, even though a wealth of research information exists to support such protection. The joint European Baltic Sea research program (BONUS) is aiming to study which social factors influence the success of protective measures. Particular attention is being paid to the prevention of the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea."The background to this research project is the idea that social factors rather than a lack of scientific...

Scientists have found lichens can give insight into nitrogen air pollution effects on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems, and protecting them provides safeguards for less sensitive species.Their findings are presented this month in the international journal Environmental Pollution and are significant because nitrogen from air pollution causes detrimental chemical and biological effects to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Other harmful effects include elevated nitrate...

By Yan, Changzhou Lu, Xin; Zhao, Xiaolin Key words: Lake Erhai basin, water resources, eutrophication, ecological protection, sustainable utilisation, counter measures SUMMARY Lake Erhai is the main water source for Dali City and the surrounding area. Economic development and population growth have caused serious environmental problems in the Lake Erhai basin. The annual water shortage in the basin and surrounding areas is about 324.95 million m^sup 3^. It is estimated that, by 2020, water...

By SEAN PATRICK NORRIS Staff Writer EDITOR'S NOTE: The Maryland Gazette spent months probing the reasons behind decades of chronic pollution in Furnace, Marley and Rock creeks. In today's conclusion of two-part story, we explore the possibility of a cure. --- The grim truth about local creeks closed by dangerously high levels of bacteria is that there is no easy solution. Decades of pollution in Furnace, Marley and Rock creeks have many sources, failing septic tanks, stormwater runoff...