Final answer:
Waterborne threats include pollution from various sources, biological invasions from international shipping, and environmental hazards like extreme weather events, all of which pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discussing waterborne threats encompasses a range of issues from environmental hazards to human activities that impact aquatic systems. It is important to consider the broad spectrum of these threats, which include:
- Pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, which introduces harmful chemicals into water systems.
- Biological invasions through international shipping, which are often facilitated by ballast water management and hull biofouling, leading to nonindigenous species (NIS) disrupting local ecosystems.
- Environmental hazards such as extreme weather events, which can exacerbate conditions leading to water contamination and degradation of aquatic habitats.
According to Gallup polls, Americans have placed a significant emphasis on concerns related to water pollution and water supply over other environmental issues, indicating the critical importance of addressing these waterborne threats.