Skip to main content

Toxins as a measure of ecological function

Toxins as a measure of ecological function

What are toxins?

Algae below outfall pipe along seawall illustrating toxins as an ecological function
Toxins are substances that can be harmful or cause death to plants, animals and humans, usually in an increased amount. There are naturally occurring toxins in the environment: metals such as copper, lead, zinc mercury, cadmium and nickel. Toxic metals are naturally in relatively low concentrations in the Puget Sound lowland streams and lakes.

There are also human-produced toxins such as manufactured herbicides and pesticides and vehicle emissions like gasoline and oil. Other human products, such as antibiotics and artificial hormones, are proving to have toxic effects in aquatic water bodies, as well.

What increases toxins in our environment?

Agriculture, urban development sewage outfalls and internal combustion motor boats can increase concentrations of toxins. Impervious surface and population concentrations contributes to the rate at which toxins move into an aquatic ecosystem.

Toxins come from the application of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals. Others are associated with motorized vehicles (toxins from internal combustion engines, brake pads, oil leaks, and other vehicles emissions). Sewer outfalls and combined sewer overflows (CSO) also contribute toxins by transporting toxins not treated by sewage plants or collected through stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as roads and driveways.

How are toxins naturally prevented from entering our water?

Wetlands slow down water allowing plants to absorb many of the toxins found in aquatic ecosystems. When wetlands are lost, that ability to remove toxins from the system is taken away. (See information about detention ponds under phosphorus.)

References: Stanley et al. 2005.

expand_less