What are the potential health risks associated with excess nutrient runoff?

The potential health risks associated with excess nutrient runoff are primarily linked to the contamination of drinking water sources and the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. When nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, wash into nearby water bodies, they can stimulate excessive growth of algae. This process can lead to algal blooms, some of which produce toxins harmful to human health and aquatic life. For instance, these toxins can contaminate drinking water supplies, posing serious health risks if the water is consumed without adequate treatment.

Moreover, harmful algal blooms can deplete oxygen in the water, leading to dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive, thereby disrupting entire ecosystems. The impact of such blooms on local water quality can further increase the risk of waterborne illnesses among communities relying on these sources. Therefore, understanding and managing nutrient runoff is crucial to safeguarding public health and maintaining ecosystem integrity.