The Problem
Nutrient overload is the major ecological threat to water quality within the Three Bays System, primarily via the ecological degradation which results when loading exceeds the assimilative capacity (also called critical nutrient threshold) of the system for new nutrient inputs. Of the various forms of pollution that threaten coastal waters (nutrients, pathogens and toxics), nutrient inputs are the most insidious and difficult to control. This is especially true for nutrients originating from non-point sources, such as nitrogen transported in the groundwater from on-site septic treatment systems (the primary mechanism for waste disposal within the Three Bays watershed). Identifying, understanding and predicting the potential impact of these nutrients is required for management of the Three Bays Estuary, but important to this is state-of-the-art scientific analysis and modeling. While these higher level studies are developing, ongoing watershed management decisions can be made based on the incoming monitoring data and existing watershed loading analysis and we can begin to develop suitable management strategies for protection of these valuable coastal environments. However, comprehensive restoration efforts must await the results of the quantitative system-wide program.
Monitoring Day Kris Clark
