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Runoff from our farms and cities is a major source of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) entering rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Acid rain and airborne pollutants generated by human activities also supply N to surface waters. These nutrient sources are called nonpoint because they involve widely dispersed activities. Nonpoint inputs are difficult to measure and regulate because of their dispersed origins and because they vary with the seasons and the weather. Yet nonpoint inputs are the major source of water pollution in the United States today, and their impacts are profound. In aquatic ecosystems, overenrichment with P and N causes a wide range of problems, including toxic algal blooms, loss of oxygen, fish kills, loss of seagrass beds and other aquatic vegetation, degradation of coral reefs, and loss of biodiversity including species important to commercial and sport fisheries and shellfish industries. Thus, nutrient fouling seriously degrades our marine and freshwater resources and impairs their use for industry, agriculture, recreation, drinking water, and other purposes. Inglés

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