Anthropogenic impacts

Abstract

A wide array of anthropogenic factors contributes to estuarine degradation. Chief among these are (1) nutrient loading and eutrophication; (2) sewage and organic wastes; (3) habitat loss and alteration, shoreline hardening, and erosion; (4) chemical contaminants; (5) human-induced sediment/particulate inputs; (6) overfishing; (7) intensive aquaculture; (8) introduced/invasive species; (9) human-altered hydrological regimes; (10) climate change; (11) coastal subsidence; and (12) floatables/debris. Pathogens coupled to human waste discharges and wildlife are also significant since they adversely affect water quality. Anthropogenic stressors can be categorized into those that degrade water quality and are primarily chemical and biological in nature (e.g., nutrient enrichment, chemical contaminants, and pathogens), impact habitat and are mainly physical factors (e.g., shoreline hardening, lagoon construction, dredging and dredged-material disposal), and alter biotic communities and are effectively driven by multiple stressors (e.g., overfishing, introduced/ invasive species, human-altered hydrological regimes, and climate change). Human activities can significantly impact the structure, function, and ecological health of estuaries.