Lagoons

Group members: Tiona

Smith, Elouise Mitchell-
Gooding Levette St.
Louis, Iana St. Bernard,
Desha Roberts
 Explain the
impact of
human activity
on lagoons

Discuss strategies
to alleviate The List the economic
benefits of
problems list objective lagoons on small
reasons for these s are: island states
practices

Assess the
importance of a
named wetland
in the Caribbean
 Lagoon
/ləˈɡo͞on/

A lagoon is defined as a shallow body of

water that may have an opening to a larger
body of water but is also protected from it by
a sandbar or coral reef. Coastal lagoons are
water ecosystems situated at the interface
between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
They occur along 13 % of the coastlines
worldwide.
 There are two
types of
Lagoons

Atoll Lagoons
They form when an island
completely subsides beneath the
water, leaving a ring of coral that
continues to grow upwards. At the
center of the ring, is a body of water
that is often deep. The combination
of coral growth and water creates a
lagoon
Coastal Lagoons
They form along gently
sloping coasts. They are
generally shallower than atoll
lagoons and tend to be
separated from the ocean by
an island, reef, or sand bank.
 Importance of a named Lagoon in the Caribbean
Lagoons provide food, storm protection, nutrient cycling, water purification,
recreation, and climate regulation, as well as promote biodiversity by supporting,
mangroves, seagrass beds, marshes, and many other ecosystems. These ecosystems
are used as nursery grounds and shelter for a variety of aquatic organisms such as
shrimps, lobsters, turtles, and a wide variety of fish species. Mangroves further
provide an essential habitat for birds such as the Green Heron, the Black-winged Stilt
and plovers which aid in the attraction of tourists. An example of a lagoon in the
Caribbean is the Simpson Bay lagoon located on the island of Saint Maarten. [Within
the Lagoon lies the Mullet Pond, which is internationally recognized by the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.] This wetland contributes a
large percentage of income to Saint Maarten's tourism industry; thus, many people
depend on it for employment. The lagoon is surrounded by many houses, hotels,
restaurants, and other infrastructure, as well as many marinas. Several businesses also
provide recreational activities on the Lagoon such as kayaking, sailing and jet skiing.
 Importance of Lagoons cont’d
Proceedings made from this tourist site can be later used for habitat restoration and
protection of aquatic ecosystems much like it. Many residents in St. Maarten
depend on the services provided by this ecosystem. This is shown is the choice
experiment carried out in April to May 2019. In this experiment, 219 local citizens
were asked their willingness-to-pay for the lagoon which was then used to estimate
the economic value of ecosystem services. The findings of the choice experiment
reveal that the Simpson Bay Lagoon in its current environmental state is worth
US$12.1 million per year to the citizens. This ecosystem, however, is currently
suffering from coastal development, wastewater pollution and overexploitation,
making it susceptible to climate change-induced temperature and sea level rise.
Despite treating wastewater, sewage inflow is also frequent in the lagoon due to
lacking sewage treatment facilities. The bad water quality of the Lagoon resulting
from human activities also has detrimental impacts on the nearby coral reefs,
which are of high ecological and economic value. These effects have severely
degraded its ecological integrity, causing significant environmental impact.
The Simpson Bay
Lagoon
The economic benefit of Lagoons on
small island states
Coastal lagoons are among the most vulnerable and economically important
ecosystems on Earth. Tidal channels are crucial for their functioning since they
allow the exchange of water and pollutants with the open sea. The lagoons are used
to purify wastewater and aids in storm protection. The tourism industry thrives in
the coastal lagoons. Besides fishing, visitors also enjoy boating and recreational
activities such as water skiing and parasailing; and when these foreigners or citizens
come in contact with these recreational activities, they would want to try them out.
As a result, the small island state gains recognition attracting more tourists thus
ensuing economic gain. They also provide jobs for persons to work on these
activities and food because of its clean waters there are many shellfish and fishes in
the water. So, fishermen also take the opportunity to get these marine animals for
economic use. These are some of the ways lagoons bring in income for small island
states.
 The impact of pollution on lagoons
Most lagoons are polluted, mainly from anthropogenic waste input, because they lack proper watershed
management strategies. Among the major pollutants recorded in different lagoons around the world are
heavy metals. Heavy metals are very harmful, due to their toxicity, persistence, and deleterious impact
on aquatic life and human health . Currently there are no well-established mechanisms to remove and
eliminate heavy metals from the human body. The presence of heavy metals in aquatic systems such as
lagoons, therefore, calls for greater concern. Unbiodegradable garbage (such as plastic bottles) also
heavily pollutes our lagoons making it unsanitary and unappealing. This has a negative effect on our
tourism industry leaving a bad impression on travelers. When raw sewage from sewage tanks and pit
latrines get into the water, it not only leaves a bad odor but also makes it unsafe to drink and exposes a
myriad of chemicals into it. Oil from motorboats and cruise ships also pollutes the ecosystem forming a
slick on the ocean which is overall harmful to the aquatic organisms. Detergents from drains
consequently kills organisms in the water with harsh chemicals.
 The impact of tourism on Lagoons
Depletion Of Natural Resources:
Tourism development can put pressure on natural resources when it increases
consumption in areas where resources are already scarce. Water Resources: Water, and
especially fresh water, is one of the most critical natural resources. The tourism industry
overuses water resources for hotels, swimming pools, golf courses and personal use of
water by tourists. This can result in water shortages and degradation of water supplies,
as well as generating a greater volume of wastewater. In dry and hot regions like the
Mediterranean, the issue of water scarcity is of particular concern.
Local Resources: Tourism can create great pressure on local resources like energy, food,
and other raw materials that may already be in short supply.
Land Degradation: Important land resources include minerals, fossil fuels, fertile soil,
forests, wetland and wildlife.
Increased construction of tourism and recreational facilities has increased pressure on
these resources and on scenic landscapes
Tourism has both negative and positive effects as proceedings can also be used to restore
and preserve our wetlands and important ecosystems.
The impact of overfishing on Lagoons

Lagoons are under constant threat from overfishing by outside communities

that are not complying with the local fishing regulations as well as tourists
who take leisure in fishing. In turn, overfishing causes a decline in
populations of the reef fish that depend on lagoons as nurseries for their
young. When too many fish are removed, it creates an imbalance that can
erode the food web and lead to a loss of other important marine life,
including vulnerable species like sea turtles and corals. Moreover, there are
several communities around the world that rely on fish as their primary
resource for food. The growth of overfishing has caused a serious threat to
these communities, which are often located in developing countries. Without
the ability to catch their food, their populations are threatened.
 The impact of Agricultural practices on
Lagoons

Sediments can occur in water bodies naturally, but they are also produced in large amounts as a result
of land-use change and agriculture. Activities such as farming, clearing forests, building roads,
ploughing and mining can put too much soil and particulate matter in rivers. This sediment can harm
plants and animals by carrying toxic chemicals into the water, smothering fish eggs and small
organisms used by fish as food, raising water temperature, and reducing the amount of sunlight
penetrating the water. Sediment can also reduce the capacity of reservoirs and make it difficult for
ships to navigate in waterways. It can also damage equipment used in water supply installations and
hydroelectric plants, thus increasing their maintenance costs. Harmful chemicals in fertilizer and
pesticides can also runoff into the lagoons and cause eutrophication- the excessive richness of a body
of water. This will further lead to oxygen depletion and the death or migration of many aquatic species
 Impact of industrial activity on
lagoons
Atmospheric contamination from industrial plants and vehicle emissions leads to dry and wet
deposition. This causes acidic conditions to develop in surface water and groundwater sources and
at the same time leads to the destruction of ecosystems. Acid deposition impairs the water quality
of lakes and streams by lowering pH levels (i.e., increasing acidity), decreasing acid-neutralizing
capacity, and increasing aluminum concentrations. High concentrations of aluminum and increased
acidity reduce species diversity and the abundance of aquatic life in lagoons. Warm water from
local power stations and nuclear power stations raises the temperature of the water, allows bacteria
to multiply quickly and results in death of many aquatic species.
 The impact of human activity on
lagoons
Humans can have a major impact on freshwater systems, such as lagoons through water
overuse. The same waterways that support wildlife and plants also provide municipal water
for cities and towns, and when consumption outstrips the natural regeneration of these
waterways, it can negatively affect the ecosystem. Reducing the amount of water puts
pressure on aquatic populations, reducing the amount of living space available, and in some
cases, it dries entirely. Despite their relevance for conservation, coastal lagoons are seriously
threatened by eutrophication, pollution, urbanization, and diverse forms of modification in
their watersheds, caused by human activity in the coastal zones of all continents. Coastal
lagoons are highly productive ecosystems. They contribute to the overall productivity of
coastal waters by supporting a variety of habitats, including salt marshes, seagrasses, and
mangroves. They also provide essential habitat for many fish and shellfish species. Human
activity hampers lagoons from fulfilling their importance to the world as a whole.
Strategies to alleviate problems conserve
and restore these wetlands
o Do not use sunscreen when you want to swim in the lagoon. Even the biodegradable
sunscreen provides nutrients that accelerate eutrophication.
o Do not use the lagoon as a toilet.
o Do not use motorboats. Choose eco-friendly activities like catamaran, kayak or
paddle board instead of boat tours.
o Practice sustainable fishing to prevent overfishing
o Get rid of the algae
o Bacterial treatment
o Dispose of your trash
o Dispose of pet waste in the trash
 o Using eco-friendly sunscreen - Research has found that chemicals from sunscreen are
leached into the waters are proven harmful to the water systems. By using eco-friendly
sunscreen, the chemicals will not be able to: impair growth and photosynthesis in
green algae, decrease the fertility in female fish, disrupt food chains and damage the
ecosystem.
o Not using lagoons as a toilet: By not urinating in lagoons, many nutrients that urine
contains will not be able to cause dangerous algal blooms which releases harmful
toxins that pollute drinking water and can be detrimental to humans and animals.
o Not using motorboats: Motorboats churn up the lake bottom in shallow areas. This
action increases erosion rates and stirs up the lake sediment, re-suspending nutrients
like phosphorus that are at the lake's bottom. Eutrophication will then start to take
affect, leading to an increase in algal blooms and a decrease in oxygen. Soon many
aquatic life forms will start to leave or die out in these lagoons which will then cause
the water to because murky and green.
o Practicing sustainable fishing to prevent overfishing: the importance of not
overfishing in smaller habitats like lagoons is because it creates an imbalance in food
Reasons for webs. By taking away these fish, their predators will not have any food which results
in the loss of many aquatic animals higher up the food chain.

these practices
 o Get rid of the algae- Too much algae contributes to eutrophication. Algae uses a lot of
oxygen and because of this, if it continues to spread the oxygen level in the water will
start to decrease. In return aquatic animals will start to die out or leave their habitat.
The algae will start to die out after the lack of oxygen which will then trigger
decomposition to occur. Decomposition uses oxygen as well and this will further
reduce the oxygen levels, making the water become anoxic. The decomposed plants
and animals then release more nutrients and starts the cycle all over again.
o Bacterial treatment -Disease causing bacteria enter water bodies like lagoons from
sewers, untreated surface runoff and septic tanks. These bacteria are called coliform
bacteria. They enter intestinal tracts of animals from eating raw meat or contaminated
food. This then causes them to contract diseases.
o Dispose of your trash -Litter can potentially choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life
like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds. It also decreases oxygen levels in the water when it
decays and transports chemical pollutants.
o Dispose of pet waste in the trash -Pet waste contains pathogenic bacteria and parasites
that can affect human health. When pet waste is washed into our waterways it decays
in the water, which impacts oxygen levels that can be harmful to fish and other aquatic
Reasons for wildlife. It also contains nutrients that increase weed and algae growth

these practices
 Resources
o
Duijndam, Sem, et al. “Valuing a Caribbean Coastal Lagoon Using the Choice Experiment Method: The
Case of the Simpson Bay Lagoon, Saint Martin.” Journal for Nature Conservation, Urban & Fischer, 20
May 2020, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1617138120300911.
oEPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/classification-and-types-wetlands
o“Ecology and Society.” Ecology and Society, https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/.
oUS Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is a Lagoon?”
NOAA's National Ocean Service, 6 May 2018,
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lagoon.html#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20types%20of
%20lagoons%3A%20atoll%20and%20coastal.
o Admin. “Why You Should Use Biodegradable Sunscreen - Transfer Cancun.” Cancun Tips, 6 Dec. 2017,
https://transfercancun-airport.com/en/blog/biodegradable-sunscreen-vs-regular-sunscreen/
#:~:text=Biodegradable%20sunscreens%20don%27t%20contain,way%20that%20is%20not%20harmful.
o Pet Waste Pollution | City of Corpus Christi, https://www.cctexas.com/services/utilities/storm-water-
pollution-prevention/pet-waste-pollution#:~:text=Pet%20waste%20contains%20pathogenic
%20bacteria,increase%20weed%20and%20algae%20growth.
 Resources
o “Water Quality Essay.docx - 1 Water Quality Essay Chantel m Hurtubise Grand Canyon University
Bio 220 Environmental Science Kristin Norris Jan 9, 2021, 2: Course Hero.” Water Quality
Essay.docx - 1 Water Quality Essay Chantel M Hurtubise Grand Canyon University Bio 220
Environmental Science Kristin Norris Jan 9, 2021, 2 | Course Hero,
https://www.coursehero.com/file/125448115/Water-Quality-essaydocx/.
o “Bacteria and E. Coli in Water Completed.” Bacteria and E. Coli in Water | U.S. Geological Survey,
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/bacteria-and-e-coli-water.
o “Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Boating and Marinas.” EPA, Environmental Protection
Agency, 22 Aug. 2012, https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/html/point9.html.
o About RinkeshA true environmentalist by heart. Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of
providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in
Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another h , et al. “Causes, Effects and Solutions to Overfishing
(Depletion of Fish Stocks).” Conserve Energy Future, 15 July 2020, https://www.conserve-energy-
future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-overfishing.php.
Thank you for listening to our
presentation, we hope it was
informative!