Lisa S. Alter
Soil erosion due to human activity is a major source of sediments and pollutants entering the Sound. This eroded sediment can remain in the water for a while, blocking out sunlight and reducing biological activity. Sediment can destroy spawning areas and choke out marine life and vegetation, thus adversely changing the ecosystem.
Construction puts 48,000 tons per square mile per year in runoff.
disturbed forest contributes 24,000 tons of sediment per year to the Sound.
Cropland contributes 4800 tons of sediment each year.
Grassland contributes 240 tons per year.
Undisturbed forces, 24 tons of sediment per year to the Sound.
(Atkin, Bangser, Jacobson, Smith, Wade, Backer, 1991)