When I started working at WAC, I didn't understand that soil = water pollution. I've learned a lot in the past year and half. Now when I see a scene like this one along the Batavia Kill in Windham, NY, I know the sediment (another word for soil particles) entering the river from the non-forested side is hurting water quality in many ways :sick: :
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency lists sediment as the most common freshwater pollutant and 70% of it is created by people.
For a nice overview of Soil = Pollution, check out this short pamphlet:
- Sediment in the water absorbs heat and raises the water temp, which reduces dissolved oxygen and harms aquatic life.
- Nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorous) stick to soil particles and increase algae growth, which harms other lifeforms.
- Cloudy water blocks sunlight to underwater plants and makes it harder for fish to see - and catch! - their food.
- Sediment gets stuck in animals' gills and clogs up the nooks and crannies in stream beds where aquatic creatures live and reproduce.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency lists sediment as the most common freshwater pollutant and 70% of it is created by people.
For a nice overview of Soil = Pollution, check out this short pamphlet:
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