The bays and estuarine environments of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, receive more nitrogen than what the waters can naturally assimilate. This excess nitrogen has led to eutrophication and degraded water habitats, resulting in the loss of eel-grass beds and shellfish growing areas. Nitrogen loading to Cape Cod’s watersheds must be reduced in order to restore ecological health.
However, making decisions about what to do and how much money to spend to address overnutrition in the water is a difficult task. As with much public decision-making processes, this challenge starts with education. This practica worked with Scott Horsley to evaluate these water sanitation issues in the cape and will develop an appropriate product.