What is harmful to fish?

[Juxtaroberto]

I know that this is a very broad topic, but i need to do a project for my enviromental biology class. Basically what i need is a list of some things that people may dispose of that is harmful to an aquatic ecosystem, mainly fish.

I already know things like gasoline, oil, and i think i remember reading about cigarette butts. Any other input would be helpful. Thanks.

Overfertilizing. Ironically, this isn't a problem with farms, even huge commercial ones, because they are a business and make every cent count. It's a problem with regular households who fertilize their lawns with too much fertilizer, thinking it'll be better for the plants. Most of it runs off into the rivers which causes algae blooms.

Most natural water systems are oligotrophic, meaning they have very few nutrients in the water. Eutrophication is when excess nutrients enter the system and cause an algae bloom, which then creates anoxic conditions (no oxygen).

 

[DMasker]

Overfertilizing. Ironically, this isn't a problem with farms, even huge commercial ones, because they are a business and make every cent count. It's a problem with regular households who fertilize their lawns with too much fertilizer, thinking it'll be better for the plants. Most of it runs off into the rivers which causes algae blooms.

Most natural water systems are oligotrophic, meaning they have very few nutrients in the water. Eutrophication is when excess nutrients enter the system and cause an algae bloom, which then creates anoxic conditions (no oxygen).

Actually large farms DO contribute a lot to this. And the limiting factor is the phosphates with the ferts. Which is why there is a push to buy low phosphate ferts and detergents. My school did a big research project on this in the pine barrens led by a professor I have right now.

 

[Juxtaroberto]

Actually large farms DO contribute a lot to this. And the limiting factor is the phosphates with the ferts. Which is why there is a push to buy low phosphate ferts and detergents. My school did a big research project on this in the pine barrens led by a professor I have right now.

Oops, sorry. I attended a school in the LAUSD, though, so you can imagine the quality of the textbooks we got.

 

[TheRealAndyCook]

farm run off does effect rivers and lakes, alot, weather it be chemical or biological fertilization the nitrogen and phosphorus help produce algae (red algae) which will then reproduce quickly and eat up the oxygen in the water...killing off small bacterium that larger fish feed on, and will even cause the fish to asphyxiate.

Thus you have a "dead" zone...

 

[FishingOut]

Pesticides, Pesticides, Pesticides. There is your entire project. A bit of research and you will see its already reaked havoc on micro organisms and algaes which is some fish food supply which destroys the whole chain. Im not sure on how you can test this, unless you have an old gas cromatagraph sitting around.

 

[TheRealAndyCook]

you could study the water with Methylene blue tests and create a chart showing your results.

VS farms around (Talk to farmers, or talk to your local farm supply store and see what they sell the most, check whats in it)

VS pesticides used (Talk to your municipal road management and see what type, if any)

VS general life in the river...plants/fish

VS visible garbage, etc


Your teacher should have Methylene blue, and it'll provide a pretty tangible result.

 

[Hlee019]

I can imagine that prescription drugs flushed down the toilet can be added to this list. Although the concentration of prescription drugs found in natural waters can be minuscule, I can assure you that they can have a profound impact on the ecosystem. Remember guys never flush old prescription medications down the toilet. Make sure you properly dispose of them like batteries or motor oil.

 

[zpetrichko]

plastic bottles, the plastic from 6 packs.

 

[gt1009]

Hmm...fish hooks, sunken ships, nuclear missiles, BP, any one of those things could potentially harm fish.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Farts