Effects

When excessive nutrients from fertilizers infiltrate an enclosed water source, it can increase plant and algae growth. As a result, the amount of oxygen in the body of water increases, which then encourages more growth, creating a snowball effect. As algae blocks off light from the surface and uses more of the ecosystem's nutrients, other organisms living underneath begin to die out, creating a dead zone. This process is called eutrophication. In addition, the toxins from pesticides, herbicides, and antifreeze can directly harm aquatic organisms. Large pieces of trash can be mistaken for food by animals, or they could physically damage them. Microplastics can't be seen in the water, but they are extremely prevalent, and as a result are consumed by humans and animals alike.