Cloudy Waters
posted 6:09 pm Mon November 19, 2007 - Charleston
Some of the Lowcountry's most pristine property sits along tidal creeks and rivers, but that view could soon be clouded by pollution.
Consider the fish and crabs trying to live there, as those waterways become severely polluted, it will become harder for marine organisms to survive.
“When you put down impervious surfaces your houses, roads, and parking lots, what you're doing is you're not allowing water to naturally percolate into the soil,” said Denise Sanger, Assistant Director for Research and Planning at the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium.
There are many types of pollutants making their way into the creeks and streams due to runoff of rain water, even the car you drive could pose a threat.
“If someone actually does have a leaking oil tank that can cause pollutants to land on the surfaces which then get run off during a rain event,” said Sanger.
Sanger has also found increased levels of fertilizers and pesticides in creeks and streams as development continues.
“Don't apply before you expect a rain event to occur, and that's a biggie, because you want whatever you're putting on the surface to actually get into the surface before it just gets washed off into your creek system,” said Sanger
Tidal creeks and streams are important to the young of many fish species, but is human development having an impact on their habitat?
“We have actually seen reduced abundances of penean shrimp, the edible shrimp, the white, the pink, and the brown in tidal creeks as development has increased,” said Sanger.
There are also high priced properties, valued so highly because of their proximity to water.
“There is the potential to reduce property values if you start seeing impacts on water quality,” said Sanger.
That won't sit easy with homeowners, so take the proper steps now, and avoid the negative consequences later.
“Folks want to live in South Carolina but in order to keep the quality of life and of the place we live is probably where we need to consider minimizing some of the impacts,” said Sanger.
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