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One of the main sources of chemical pollution currently harming salt marshes are
agricultural chemicals. The states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina,
all of which have tremendous impact on salt marshes as demonstrated previously, are
also big agricultural states. Widespread agriculture means widespread use of
fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals readily make their way into the watersheds
of the eight southeastern rivers which affect salt marshes and contribute greatly to
salt marsh degradation. Unfathomable amounts of industrial chemicals also make their
way into these watersheds, further contributing to the demise of many costal salt
marshes. Aside from chemical effects, overuse of groundwater as well as unnatural
diversions of water flow can interrupt natural cycles that salt marshes depend on.
(graphic: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/biomed/wetlands/gif/tbfinmed.gif )
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