Eutrophication, primary production and vertical export

Abstract

Introduction. The effects of global and local changes are most prominent at the land-sea margins where presently population growth is greatest. For example, the population of coastal counties of the USA has roughly doubled since 1960 (Eos, 1992). This gives rise to increased pressure on natural resources and a large number of disturbances to coastal regions. Presently, eutrophication of coastal waters is probably the most important environmental effect (Gesamp, 1991). The effects of nutrient enrichment thoroughly change coastal ecosystems and occur virtually worldwide. Nutrients move across the land-sea margins at such high rates that coastal waters and estuaries are the most fertilized ecosystems on earth (Figure 9.1).