What is a negative effect that urbanization has on natural filtration?

Urbanization typically involves increased development, such as buildings, roads, and other impermeable surfaces. These changes significantly impact the natural environment, particularly in terms of water management and filtration processes.

When urban areas expand, natural landscapes that previously facilitated the absorption and filtration of rainfall into the soil are replaced or covered by concrete and asphalt. This alteration disrupts the natural hydrological cycle, leading to increased surface runoff. As rainwater cannot easily infiltrate into the ground, the natural filtration systems that would normally cleanse the water as it percolates through the soil are diminished. Consequently, the capacity for natural filtration is often drastically reduced, leading to potential issues such as water quality deterioration and increased flooding risks.

This concept emphasizes the importance of managing urban growth in ways that integrate and prioritize natural filtration systems to maintain water quality and environmental health in urban settings.