8 The British Isles
R.L. FLETCHER
8.1 Introduction
Eutrophication of coastal waters by anthropogenic sources of nutrients is
a worldwide phenomenon which has important ecological and environmental implications. With its extensive coastline and the dramatic
increase in industrialization, urbanization and intense farming practices
that have taken place on its coastal plains from the latter part of the
19th century, it is perhaps not surprising that the coastal waters of the
British Isles have been subjected to increased loading of pollutants including nutrients. Certainly, there have been many reports of increased
nutrient levels in coastal regions associated with population increases.
These increased nutrient levels have been attributed to increased sewage
input and increased land fertilization rates (Hull 1987; Raffaelli et al.
1989). This has been particularly well documented for estuaries, such as
the Tyne (James and Head 1972) and the Thames (Graham 1938), which
are usually the primary pathway for the disposal of many wastes to the
sea in the British Isles (Edwards 1972). Very large quantities of sewage,
for example, are discharged directly through pipes into coastal waters
around the British Isles, often in close proximity to shores (Wood 1988).
Whilst this increased loading of nutrients into British coastal waters has
generally been considered beneficial by enhancing pelagic and benthic
productivity and improving fish catches, for example, James and Head
(1972) reported increased phytoplankton activity near the mouth of the
river Tyne, they can also be detrimental. In this respect, there is particular concern about their influence on marine benthic algal communities, notably the formation and accumulation of excessive growths
(termed "green tides") of a relatively small number of green macro algae.
The Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry
Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO 11 ODG, UK
Ecological Studies, Vol. 123
Schramm/Nienhuis (eds) Marine Benthic Vegetation
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996
R.L. FLETCHER
8.1 Introduction
Eutrophication of coastal waters by anthropogenic sources of nutrients is
a worldwide phenomenon which has important ecological and environmental implications. With its extensive coastline and the dramatic
increase in industrialization, urbanization and intense farming practices
that have taken place on its coastal plains from the latter part of the
19th century, it is perhaps not surprising that the coastal waters of the
British Isles have been subjected to increased loading of pollutants including nutrients. Certainly, there have been many reports of increased
nutrient levels in coastal regions associated with population increases.
These increased nutrient levels have been attributed to increased sewage
input and increased land fertilization rates (Hull 1987; Raffaelli et al.
1989). This has been particularly well documented for estuaries, such as
the Tyne (James and Head 1972) and the Thames (Graham 1938), which
are usually the primary pathway for the disposal of many wastes to the
sea in the British Isles (Edwards 1972). Very large quantities of sewage,
for example, are discharged directly through pipes into coastal waters
around the British Isles, often in close proximity to shores (Wood 1988).
Whilst this increased loading of nutrients into British coastal waters has
generally been considered beneficial by enhancing pelagic and benthic
productivity and improving fish catches, for example, James and Head
(1972) reported increased phytoplankton activity near the mouth of the
river Tyne, they can also be detrimental. In this respect, there is particular concern about their influence on marine benthic algal communities, notably the formation and accumulation of excessive growths
(termed "green tides") of a relatively small number of green macro algae.
The Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry
Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO 11 ODG, UK
Ecological Studies, Vol. 123
Schramm/Nienhuis (eds) Marine Benthic Vegetation
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996