Impact of Cruise Ships on Water Quality in Key West, Florida

SOURCE www.npr.org
Large cruise ships in Key West, Florida stir up excessive sediment that damages the marine environment, causing concern for water quality and impacting marine life such as coral reefs, bonefish, and tarpon. Despite concerns, the city's agreement with a local school for water quality testing was not renewed, leading to a search for a new organization to conduct testing.

Key Points

  • Turbidity caused by cruise ships stirring up sediment is a significant concern
  • Water quality testing has shown instances of turbidity exceeding EPA standards
  • Local officials are facing challenges in renewing water quality testing agreements

Pros

  • Increased awareness of the negative impact of cruise ships on water quality
  • Efforts to monitor and address water quality issues in Key West

Cons

  • Excessive sediment stirred up by cruise ships exceeding EPA standards
  • Potential negative impact on marine life such as coral reefs, bonefish, and tarpon