Nutrient Runoff and Harmful Algal Blooms - Mission Earth

Nutrient runoff, primarily from agricultural fertilizers, lawn treatments, and wastewater, can lead to the excessive accumulation of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. This overload of nutrients often triggers harmful algal blooms (HABs), where algae grow rapidly and out of control. These blooms can produce toxins that are dangerous to aquatic life, pets, and even humans, and they often lead to oxygen-depleted zones, or “dead zones,” where marine life cannot survive. HABs can also impact drinking water quality, recreational activities, and local economies. Reducing nutrient runoff through better land management practices is essential to preventing these harmful environmental events.