Sediment runoff to a waterway can result in which of the following environmental issues?

Sediment runoff to a waterway can lead to excessive algae growth because sediment often carries with it nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. When these nutrients are introduced into the water bodies attached to soil particles, they provide a ready food source for algae. This nutrient enrichment can result in algal blooms, which can indeed deplete oxygen levels in the water as the algae die and decompose. The decomposition process consumes a significant amount of dissolved oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions that can be detrimental to aquatic life. Therefore, this answer accurately reflects the environmental issue of sediment runoff by linking nutrient loading to biological consequences in aquatic ecosystems.