"How is human activity affecting our surface water resources? -- some recent advances in process-based aquatic research"

by Sebastian Interlandi, Ph.D.

Cultural eutrophication of lakes and rivers by sewage effluent and agricultural run-off has been the major issue associated with human impacts on aquatic resources for centuries. This issue has generally been addressed by modern societies, through improved wastewater treatment and agricultural practices which have minimized sources of phosphorous. A number of more subtle impacts of human development on surface water resources are yet to be addressed by resource management. These generally more complex issues include the effects of estrogen-like compounds on the reproduction of aquatic biota, and the effects of atmospheric deposition on lake water chemistry. In this lecture, these complex issues will be outlined, and several examples will be described in detail. Specific examples of human impacts on aquatic systems will include an assessment of the effects of urban sprawl on the Schuylkill River, and the effects of reservoir development on aquatic carbon cycling, and the global carbon cycle.