Editing Cape Cod Bay (section)

== Threats to Cape Cod Bay ==

=== Pollution and water quality ===
Per the Cape Cod Commission, the bay is experiencing water problems. Although nutrients like nitrogen are an important aspect of aquatic ecosystems, excessive amounts can damage water systems. Cape Cod's estuaries are vulnerable to the effects of excess nitrogen due to a number of factors. Nitrogen is poisoning the saltwater barrier that has characterized the peninsula. On Cape Cod, centralized wastewater treatment plants are not extensively employed due to the expense and challenges associated with widely spread housing, as well as huge seasonal fluctuations in population due to summer tourists. Typical backyard sewage systems, which are not aimed at eliminating nitrogen, are responsible for an estimated 80% percent nitrogen dumping on Cape Cod Bay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reducing Excess Nutrients Research Pilot |date=28 December 2020 |url=https://www.epa.gov/water-research/reducing-excess-nutrients-research-pilot |access-date=4 May 2022 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503205857/https://www.epa.gov/water-research/reducing-excess-nutrients-research-pilot |url-status=live }}</ref> The circumstances it generates devastate animal habitat and frequently violate water quality requirements, resulting in fish kills and decreased shellfisheries, among other things. The consequences of this pollution must be carefully managed. Another big issue affecting our coastal waters is polluted runoff. Contaminants collected up in precipitation and melting snow are eventually dumped into the bay, resulting in this sort of pollution. Fertilizers and other lawn and garden chemicals, pet waste, salt from streets, and oil and gasoline leaking from autos are all possible contaminants picked up in runoff.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=Threats to the Bay and Sound {{!}} Center for Coastal Studies |url=https://coastalstudies.org/cape-cod-bay-monitoring-program/threats-to-the-bay/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=coastalstudies.org |archive-date=2022-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209061015/https://coastalstudies.org/cape-cod-bay-monitoring-program/threats-to-the-bay/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Harmful Algal and Cyanobacteria blooms ===
Pollution's effects have already been seen in our coastal waters. Excess nutrient input from both point and non-point sources leads to high levels of plant growth, in addition to the direct, harmful impacts of pollution. This process, known as eutrophication, is taking place in Cape Cod Bay to some extent. In the bay, excess nutrients originate mainly from human sources and activities, such as waste systems for example.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why we need clean water |url=https://capecodwaters.org/overview/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |archive-date=2022-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525110400/https://capecodwaters.org/overview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With the harmful increase of these nutrients comes an increase in algae and bacteria. [[Phaeocystis]] blooms are common in Cape Cod Bay during the spring.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> A bloom of this phytoplankton has far-reaching consequences, including out-competing other beneficial phytoplankton species, impacting zooplankton growth and productivity, and killing off fish species. [[Alexandrium catenella|Alexandrium]], another species found in Cape Cod Bay, is responsible for red tides, which bring in harmful toxins, and has been the cause of death for fish, birds, mammals, and sometimes humans as a result.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Shellfish that consume toxic phytoplankton become hazardous themselves, posing a risk to humans who consume infected shellfish and wreaking havoc on the shellfishing business. It is important to control HAB's and bacterial communities. Algal blooms deplete oxygen in the water, release toxins, and produce a terrible taste and odor. Algae will continue to grow if not treated, disturbing an ecosystem's natural equilibrium, and can severely deplete water quality, potentially causing illness in our biological communities and humans.