title: Agrochemical and nutrient impacts on estuaries and other aquatic systems.
abstract: This paper summarizes the "Agrochemical and Nutrient Impacts on Estuaries" symposium held at the 220th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. The focus of the symposium was to highlight ongoing research efforts to understand estuarine function and pollutant fate in these important ecosystems. Expanding urbanization and agricultural activity can result in increased particulate and chemical loads, resulting in decreased light penetration and degraded aquatic habitats. Legislative and regulatory protections, such as the Clean Water Act and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), are considered here. Measurement of nutrient and pesticide loads and their ecotoxicological impacts are explored, as well as potential mitigation practices. The complexity and high visibility of estuarine ecosystem health will require continued examination to develop more effective agricultural and land management strategies and sound science-based regulations.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Quality Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. hapemanc@ba.ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Cathleen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hapeman
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Zimba
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: McConnell
mesh_terms: D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D010575:Pesticides; D014873:Water Pollutants