Multimedia

Host Intros/Outros for Nitrogen Series

listed in the order they will air

INTRO: Today we begin our series ‘A Choking Coast – Nitrogen in Coastal Waters’. Ever been wading along the coastline and felt a cold spot at your feet? That was fresh groundwater seeping up into the ocean. Over the past several decades, population growth has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of nutrients, primarily nitrogen, present in that groundwater. Though not dangerous to human health, nitrogen loading is a major problem for bays and estuaries across the Cape, Islands, and the South Coast. It causes a general decline in the marine ecosystem from murky water to eelgrass die-off to fish kills. Here’s series reporter Elizabeth Saito.

OUTRO: The series ‘A Choking Coast’ will continue this week, with stories taking a deeper look at different aspects of the nitrogen problem.

INTRO: Today we continue our series ‘A Choking Coast: Nitrogen in Coastal Waters’. In 2003 a tanker from Bouchard Oil ran aground in Buzzard’s Bay. The company was found criminally negligent and ordered to pay $9 million dollars in penalties. Since then, the Coalition for Buzzard’s Bay has been using that money to conserve land in the Bay’s watershed. Land conservation is important for mitigating the effects of nitrogen loading, a phenomenon where excess nitrogen from septic systems, lawn fertilizers, and road run-off flows into coastal waters and causes an overgrowth of algae. Though not harmful to human health, the algae blooms deplete oxygen and block out sunlight, killing off bottom plants like eelgrass. Series reporter Elizabeth Saito has the story.

OUTRO: To see pictures from this story, or listen to any of the other stories in this series, go to our website, capeandislands.org.

INTRO: Today we continue our series ‘A Choking Coast’. Over the past several decades, population growth on the Cape has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of nutrients, primarily nitrates, present in the groundwater. The nitrogen comes mostly from septic systems. Although not harmful to human health, the nitrogen-rich groundwater eventually makes its way to the coast where it over-fertilizes the marine ecosystem, causing mucky waters and fish kills. Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole think they’ve devised a scheme for intercepting that nitrogen at the coast: a permeable reactive barrier. And they’re testing one out at the Waquoit Bay research center in Falmouth. Series reporter Elizabeth Saito has the story.

OUTRO: To see pictures from the this report, or hear any of the other stories in this series, go to our website, capeandislands.org.

INTRO: Today we continue our series ‘A Choking Coast’. Coastal ponds across the Cape and Islands are suffering from a process called eutrophication. That’s when too much nitrogen gets into the water causing algae blooms that cut off sunlight and deplete oxygen, killing off fish and native plant life. The nitrogen comes from a variety of sources: septic systems, storm water runoff, and fertilizers. Today series reporter Elizabeth Saito brings us to Martha’s Vineyard to look at different lawn care aesthetics, and their consequences for the environment.

OUTRO: To see pictures from this reports, or hear any of the stories in this series, go to our website, capeandislands.org

INTRO: Today we continue our series ‘A Choking Coast. Excess nitrogen from septic systems and other sources is making its way into our coastal waters. Though not harmful to human health, the nitrogen can wreak havoc on the marine ecosystem, fueling an excess growth of phytoplankton and algae, which cuts off sunlight and oxygen, smothering existing vegetation. Shellfish often don’t survive these inhospitable conditions. But as series reporter Elizabeth Saito found out, cultivating shellfish can also help reverse the damage done by nitrogen loading.

OUTRO: Since that story was produced last fall, the residents of Mill Pond are pleased to announce that most of the oysters have survived and are thriving, To see pictures from this reports, or hear any of the stories in this series, go to our website, capeandislands.org

INTRO: Today we conclude our series ‘A Choking Coast – Nitrogen in Coastal Waters’. Less than 10% of the Cape is currently sewered, with the majority of homes disposing of their wastewater using septic systems. What we’ve come to discover is that the nitrogen that’s contained in human waste, mostly in the urine, is flowing from septic systems into coastal embayments. Though not harmful to human health, the nitrogen causes a general deterioration in the marine ecosystem, from algae blooms to fish kills. Large-scale sewering would fix the problem, but comes with a daunting price tag. Cape Representative Matt Patrick thinks he’s found a cheaper solution. Our reporter Elizabeth Saito has the story.

OUTRO: To see a picture of a urine separation toilet, or listen to any of the other stories in this series, go to our website, capeandislands.org.