The phrase "surrounding waters" refers to the bodies of water that are located nearby or around a specific area or place. It typically includes lakes, rivers, seas, or oceans that are in close proximity to a certain region. Full definition
They discovered that tiny organisms from algae to bacteria thrive on plastic debris, transforming it into rich «microbial reefs» that are distinct from communities in surrounding water. (treehugger.com)
Heated water from such events rises vertically and mixes with ambient waters much like a smoke stack in winter until they reach equilibrium density with surrounding water masses at which they spread out horizontally. (dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com)
Right below it there are people who are suffering from all the many different issues that surround water as a whole. (treehugger.com)