The status of Long Island groundwater, its biggest threats and contaminants, and the resulting problems.
Long Island is especially venerable to groundwater contamination because Long Island’s aquifers are resident’s only water source. Development and agricultural use of the island have greatly contributed to contamination.
The two main contaminators are:
• Nitrogen (as nitrates)
• Pesticides
Pesticides are known to cause health problems, and legislation has banned those that have persistently been detected in groundwater
High nitrogen and nitrates can cause problems for some adults and all infants, as well as aquatic ecosystems whose sealife populations are seriously diminished from various problems caused by excessive nitrogen. Fishermen and Long Island’s economy are hurt because they cannot bring in as good …show more content…
Contaminants, such as nitrogen as focus upon in this report, have already risen to levels that can harm and even devastate local marine ecosystems, and according to tests done by Suffolk County Water Authority and other organizations, show the concentration levels in the groundwater are continuing to rise, and could pose more serious problems to us in the coming decades. As more agricultural products are produced to meet demands, and more development and modern processes take place, so will contamination and its risks.
After reading about the new county restrictions and about higher oxygen in Long Island Sound, it is apparent we are heading in the right direction to work on our groundwater issues.
Although groundwater may contain these contaminants, treated public supply for tap water is still very potable, at least for the present time. However, those on Long Island who may be using private wells should be more cautious.
We should work to reduce contaminates at their
Long Island is especially venerable to groundwater contamination because Long Island’s aquifers are resident’s only water source. Development and agricultural use of the island have greatly contributed to contamination.
The two main contaminators are:
• Nitrogen (as nitrates)
• Pesticides
Pesticides are known to cause health problems, and legislation has banned those that have persistently been detected in groundwater
High nitrogen and nitrates can cause problems for some adults and all infants, as well as aquatic ecosystems whose sealife populations are seriously diminished from various problems caused by excessive nitrogen. Fishermen and Long Island’s economy are hurt because they cannot bring in as good …show more content…
Contaminants, such as nitrogen as focus upon in this report, have already risen to levels that can harm and even devastate local marine ecosystems, and according to tests done by Suffolk County Water Authority and other organizations, show the concentration levels in the groundwater are continuing to rise, and could pose more serious problems to us in the coming decades. As more agricultural products are produced to meet demands, and more development and modern processes take place, so will contamination and its risks.
After reading about the new county restrictions and about higher oxygen in Long Island Sound, it is apparent we are heading in the right direction to work on our groundwater issues.
Although groundwater may contain these contaminants, treated public supply for tap water is still very potable, at least for the present time. However, those on Long Island who may be using private wells should be more cautious.
We should work to reduce contaminates at their