EPISODE ONE: SHOW NOTES
Past the point of no return? Stories of impact & resilience
Featuring Dr. Marcus Beck (Tampa Bay Estuary Program) and Dr. Amy Zimmer-Faust (The Nature Conservancy)
LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ◦ Spotify ◦ YouTube
DESCRIPTION
Can ecosystems damaged from wastewater pollution bounce back? In this episode of The Nature Conservancy’s waste(d)water podcast, host Kassie Morton explores the ecological toll of untreated wastewater on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and coastal habitats—and the inspiring stories of recovery. Featuring insights from Drs. Amy Zimmer-Faust and Marcus Beck, the episode highlights how science, community collaboration, and conservation leadership are turning the tide. From Tampa Bay’s seagrass revival to wastewater reforms in Hawai‘i and Honduras, this episode reveals that with the right tools and partnerships, nature can heal. Tune in to discover why sustainable wastewater management is key to climate resilience and biodiversity protection.
KEY WORDS
coral reefs, wastewater pollution, marine ecosystems, conservation, ecosystem recovery, community engagement, climate change, water quality, biodiversity, sustainable solutions
AT A GLANCE
Marine ecosystems are severely threatened by wastewater pollution.
Over 100 million gallons of wastewater flow into oceans every hour, impacting marine life.
Wastewater introduces excess nutrients and pathogens, leading to algal blooms and coral degradation.
Climate change exacerbates the effects of wastewater pollution on marine ecosystems.
Conservation practitioners are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing wastewater pollution.
Successful recovery stories, like those in Kaneohe Bay and Tampa Bay, demonstrate nature's resilience.
Collaboration among conservation organizations, scientists, and communities is essential for effective solutions.
Innovative technologies and treatment solutions are emerging to combat wastewater pollution.
The conservation community plays a critical role in policy advocacy for ecosystem protection from wastewater impacts.
Open science and accessible data are crucial for informed decision-making in wastewater management.
GUEST BIOS
Dr. Marcus Beck is a senior scientist at Tampa Bay Estuary Program with deep expertise in water quality data analysis, ecosystem monitoring, and recovery strategies. He currently leads technical assessments and statistical interpretation of environmental monitoring data to support restoration efforts across Tampa Bay. With a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology, Dr. Beck has a strong background in open science and data visualization, Dr. Beck facilitates collaborative scientific initiatives. Dr. Beck’s academic research at the University of Minnesota, led to development of bioassessment tools and hydrodynamic models to evaluate ecosystem health in coastal and freshwater systems.
Dr. Amy Zimmer-Faust is a water quality scientist with a passion for translating science into action to protect both ecosystems and public health. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering and a Master’s in Environmental Health Sciences, she brings interdisciplinary expertise to the development and leadership of impactful environmental programs. Her work spans federal, local government, and nonprofit sectors, where she’s successfully secured funding, built strategic collaborations, and advanced conservation strategies. Dr. Zimmer-Faust is committed to innovative, locally driven solutions that connect partners and resources to achieve collective impact.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Vibrant World of Coral Reefs
03:06 The Impact of Wastewater on Marine Ecosystems
06:03 Understanding the Science of Wastewater Pollution
08:59 The Role of Conservation in Wastewater Management
11:50 Success Stories in Ecosystem Recovery
14:53 Building Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions
17:46 The Future of Wastewater Management
20:38 Conclusion and Call to Action
EPISODE RESOURCES
Wastewater Pollution Impacts on Estuarine and Marine Environments
Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, 2nd Edition – Chapter 6.13
Seagrass Assessment
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Wastewater Pollution: The Problem
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Wastewater: Turning Problem to Solution
UNEP Report, August 2023
Wastewater Pollution Toolkit & Online Course
Reef Resilience Network
Toolkit and Online Course
Coral Reefs Benefit from Reduced Land–Sea Impacts Under Ocean Warming
Nature, 2023
Coral Cover Indicator
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People
What Does a Healthy Coral Reef Look Like?
Wildlife in the Balance – Simon Mustoe
Wastewater Pollution on Coral Reefs: Supporting science synthesis
UNEP, 2019
How Wastewater is Harming Our Ocean
Ocean Sewage Alliance
Sick Water? The central role of wastewater management in sustainable development
Corcoran et al., UNEP, 2010
Sewage pollution, declining ecosystem health, and cross-sector collaboration
Wear et al., 2021
Mapping global inputs and impacts from of human sewage in coastal ecosystems
Tuholske et al., 2021
Sewage pollution: mitigation is key for coral reef stewardship
Wear & Vega Thurber, 2015
Human sewage identified as likely source of white pox disease of the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata
Sutherland et al., 2010
Nutrient Enrichment and Coral Decline
Bruno et al., 2003
Frequently asked questions in hypoxia research
Wenger et al., 2015
The unnatural history of Kāne‘ohe Bay: coral reef resilience in the face of centuries of anthropogenic impacts
Bahr et al., 2015
Read the studyPost-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.