IV-367 



species in the community and stimulate excessive populations 

 of individual species to nuisance conditions. 



The entire ecosystem may be stressed by thermal pollution. The 

 amount of damage is dependent on the resulting temperature of the 

 environment and the species composition of the biotic community. 

 The total range of detriments should be carefully considered on an 

 individual case basis before heat is released to the environment. 



SEDIMENTATION 



The estuarine zone serves as a repository for the suspended material 

 carried by the Nation's rivers. From a pure mass standpoint, a 

 significant percentage of these materials is comprised of the sediment 

 load which is measured in billions of tons annually. For example, a 

 conservative estimate of the sediment carried by the Mississippi 

 River through its delta complex is five hundred million tons annually. 



Man's activities may purposely or inadvertently upset the natural 

 balance of inflow, deposition, and outflow. If upstream erosion is 

 increased due to poor land management practices, the load carried in 

 suspension will increase. Conversely activities along the coast can 

 result in increased shore erosion, removing more sediment than is 

 contributed. The primary pollutional problem from sediment, however, 

 results from increased influx and accelerated deposition. 



