Lincoln Chafee: “in 1994, the EPA awarded the University of Rhode Island's Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory a $1.4 million grant to…”

“in 1994, the EPA awarded the University of Rhode Island's Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory a $1.4 million grant to examine the degree to which coastal marine areas of the United States are degraded by elevated concentrations of waterborne nitrogen. Why should this matter be studied? Why do we care if elevated concentrations of nitrogen exist in estuaries and bays? Let me provide just a few reasons. Nitrogen concentrations stimulate the growth of marine plants such as phytoplankton and seaweed. Excessive growth of these plants often shade out and thus kill off natural sea grasses that form fish habitat, as in Chesapeake Bay. In some instances these plants sink to the bottom and decompose, thus consuming all oxygen and leading to widespread fish kills, as in Long Island Sound, Mobile Bay, and elsewhere. Elevated nitrogen levels are also believed to be responsible for altering the species composition and biodiversity of indigenous plants, thus dramatically altering marine food chains. Some suspect links between nitrogen enrichment and toxic algal blooms and fish disease. The project undertaken in 1994 at the University of Rhode Island is designed to help scientists and policymakers better understand how coastal marine systems respond to nitrogen enrichment. Regrettably, only two-thirds of the agreed upon project has been completed.”