Impact of Ocean Acidification, Eutrophication, and Poor Water Quality on Minority Groups

Abstract

As environmental justice keeps gaining more attention, researchers are concerned that air pollution and natural disasters disproportionately affect minority groups in America. This disparity partly arises from conscious design or institutional neglect that exposes many areas predominantly composed of people of color to more environmental issues than other communities. One of the environmental issues inherent in this disparity is water-based pollution. This paper reviews the impact of ocean acidification, eutrophication, and poor water quality on minority groups in the United States. All three of these water-based issues exhibit a disproportionate effect on people of colour. This research has only highlighted three water-based issues and future studies can focus on other issues which can also effect the minority group.