Estuarine Nutrient Loads Still a Problem.A report on the nutrient-associated problems affecting U.S. coastal waters has yielded some alarming statistics. Released in May 2000 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Noun 1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - an agency in the Department of Commerce that maps the oceans and conserves their living resources; predicts changes to the earth's environment; provides weather reports and forecasts floods and hurricanes and (NOAA NOAA abbr. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Noun 1. NOAA - an agency in the Department of Commerce that maps the oceans and conserves their living resources; predicts changes to the earth's environment; ), National Estuarine es·tu·a·rine adj. 1. Of, relating to, or found in an estuary. 2. Geology Formed or deposited in an estuary. Adj. 1. estuarine - of or relating to or found in estuaries estuarial Eutrophication eutrophication (y  trō'fĭkā`shən), aging of a lake by biological enrichment of its water. In a young lake the water is cold and clear, supporting little life. Assessment: Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation's Estuaries states that since 1970 nutrient-related water quality problems have worsened in 48 of 138 estuaries studied, and only 14 have improved. Predictions for the future say that conditions in 86 estuaries are expected to worsen by 2020 if coastal population growth and development are not managed properly. Compiled over a seven-year period, the study looked at water quality parameters associated with nutrient enrichment and eutrophication. The coastal water problems stemming from excess nutrients include excessive algal blooms  This article only describes one highly specialized aspect of its associated subject.Please help [ improve this article] by adding more general information. , low concentrations of dissolved oxygen, losses of submerged aquatic vegetation, and occurrences of nuisance and toxic algal blooms. The Gulf of Mexico Noun 1. Gulf of Mexico - an arm of the Atlantic to the south of the United States and to the east of Mexico Golfo de Mexico Atlantic, Atlantic Ocean - the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east and the mid-Atlantic regional estuaries are experiencing the greatest percentage of these problems, says the report. These conditions have been shown by other studies to alter the uses of the estuaries, at times closing shell-fishing beds, causing human health risks, destroying habitat for fisheries fisheries. From earliest times and in practically all countries, fisheries have been of industrial and commercial importance. In the large N Atlantic fishing grounds off Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, European and North American fishing fleets have long , and leading to loss of tourism. The report pinpoints the majority of eutrophication problems to be related to human activities. Coastal areas are presently the most developed areas in the nation, and development continues at an excessive rate. Coastal populations are expected to increase by more than 13% by 2010, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the report. The report also recognizes data gaps and identifies research needs related to more clearly understanding estuarine eutrophication, such as defining the relationship between nutrient inputs and toxic algal blooms, quantifying the effects of seasonal population, and better characterizing basic circulation patterns and the effects of climate change and weather patterns. Overall, process-oriented research is needed to improve the understanding of the mechanisms that cause progressive development of eutrophication. The report stated that there are inadequate data for completing assessments for 48 estuaries. Finally, the report suggests that a national strategy be developed that considers the results of its assessment and focuses on management, monitoring, and research. The strategy should be able to be effectively integrated with regional, state, and local programs. "These results can be used to more effectively focus management of this problem and specifically to develop a national response strategy," says NOAA physical scientist Suzanne Bricker, lead author of the report. She says action priorities should be based on the condition of a particular estuary estuary (ĕs`ch  ĕr'ē), partially enclosed coastal body of water, having an open connection with the ocean, where freshwater from inland is mixed with saltwater from the sea. , with, for instance, an example of a strategy for an estuary in poor condition possibly being to reduce levels of incoming nutrients, while the strategy for a healthier estuary might be to focus on monitoring and prevention of future degradation.
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