Nutrient pollution of coastal rivers, bays, and seas

This article summarizes the ecological damage caused by nutrient pollution in coastal systems, discusses why N is of particular concern in these systems, and outlines the sources of N inputs to the coast. By highlighting the problem of nutrient pollution in coastal rivers, bays, and seas, this article builds upon two earlier volumes in the Issues in Ecology series: “Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Causes and Consequences” (1997) and “Nonpoint Pollution of Surface Waters with Phosphorus and Nitrogen” (1998). ; This manuscript is available athttp://www.esa.org/science_resources/issues_ecology.php and may be cited as: Howarth, R.,Anderson, D., Cloern, J., Elfring, C., Hopkinson, C., Lapointe, B., Malone, T., Marcus, N., McGlathery, K.,Sharpley, A., & Walker, D. (2000). Nutrient pollution of coastal rivers, bays, and seas. Issues in Ecology, 7(2), 1-15. ; Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution #1387.