Chesapeake Pollution: Impacting The Health Of Residents

Chesapeake Bay is an important source of drinking water and supports the seafood industry, tourism, real estate, and shipping industries. However, pollution in the bay has had a detrimental effect on the health, economy, and way of life of the residents in the region. The forests in the watershed protect and filter drinking water for 75% of the watershed's residents, which is almost 13 million people. The Chesapeake Bay region is home to 18.4 million people, and each resident affects the bay by consuming resources, altering the landscape, and polluting the air and water.

Air pollution from vehicles, power plants and factories

Air pollution from vehicles, power plants, and factories is a significant issue in the Chesapeake Bay region. It is one of the four sources of air pollution in the region, along with agricultural and natural sources. The air pollution from these sources has adverse effects on the environment, the economy, and the health of residents.

Vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles, are a major contributor to air pollution in the region. They emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) when burning fuel, which leads to acid rain and excess nitrogen deposits. These emissions can irritate airways and pose risks to human health, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments. Additionally, SO2 can damage the growth of plants that sustain the Bay's ecosystem.

Power plants are another significant source of air pollution in the region. They release nitrogen oxides, mercury, and other pollutants into the air, which eventually find their way into the Bay and its tributaries. Mercury, a toxic metal released from burning coal, oil, or natural gas, can reach toxic levels in the tissue of fish and shellfish. As a result, anglers and communities relying on self-caught fish are warned to limit their consumption of certain species.

Factories and manufacturing facilities also contribute to air pollution in the region. They release chemical contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are toxic substances that can harm both humans and wildlife. These chemicals bind to sediment and enter the food chain, accumulating in the tissues of fish consumed by humans.

The impact of air pollution from these sources extends beyond just the air quality in the region. When pollutants fall back to the earth's surface, they can contaminate waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Scientists estimate that about one-third of the nitrogen in the Bay comes from the air through atmospheric deposition, leading to the growth of algae blooms, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses, and creating low-oxygen "dead zones" that suffocate marine life.

To address this issue, efforts are being made to reduce emissions from vehicles and power plants, and maintain forests that absorb airborne pollutants. Individual actions, such as driving less and using electric or manual lawn equipment, can also contribute to reducing air pollution in the region.

Water pollution from farms

Nitrogen and phosphorus from manure and chemical fertilizers, as well as improper storage and management of animal waste, contribute to water pollution. Farms are also a major source of sediment pollution, as physical processes such as frequent and intensive tilling increase sediment loads in waterways during rain storms and rapid snowmelt. While these pollutants are not inherently problematic in modest amounts, high concentrations can lead to water quality issues.

Nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" that can stress and suffocate aquatic life. Suspended sediment blocks light from reaching underwater grasses, smothering them and disrupting aquatic ecosystems. These issues have far-reaching consequences for the health and economy of the region.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed provides drinking water for 75% of its residents, approximately 13 million people. Water pollution from farms can contaminate private drinking wells, posing health risks to residents. Additionally, the commercial seafood industry in Maryland and Virginia contributes billions of dollars in sales, income, and jobs to the local economy. Water pollution puts this industry at risk, threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

To address water pollution from farms, organizations like the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service are working with farmers to implement conservation practices. These practices include improving pasture management, establishing streamside buffers, and adopting nutrient-absorbing cover crops. While progress has been made, reducing agricultural pollution remains a complex challenge, and more efforts are needed to protect the health and well-being of Chesapeake Bay residents.

Water pollution from urban and suburban areas

One of the main sources of water pollution from urban and suburban areas is stormwater runoff. When rainwater and snowmelt flow over impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops, they pick up various contaminants, including pet waste, pesticides, fertilizer, oil, and other pollutants. This polluted runoff then flows into local creeks, rivers, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Unlike natural areas, where a significant portion of rainwater is absorbed and filtered by the soil and plants, nearly 100% of rainwater on hardened surfaces becomes runoff, contributing to the pollution of the Bay.

The effects of this polluted runoff are extensive and long-lasting. It erodes waterways, kills fish and other aquatic life, contaminates drinking water sources, and floods homes and businesses. The pollutants carried by runoff, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, also fuel the growth of algae blooms. When these blooms die and decompose, they create "dead zones" with low oxygen levels that can suffocate underwater life.

In addition to affecting water quality, polluted runoff from urban and suburban areas also impacts recreation areas. Health departments in Virginia and Maryland advise residents to avoid swimming in waterways for 48 hours after heavy rainfall due to the risk of bacterial contamination, which has resulted in serious illnesses.

The growing pollution from urban and suburban areas is not effectively mitigated by manmade filtration systems, and states such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are struggling to reduce it. To address this issue, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation proposes the creation of "green infrastructure" to slow down and absorb polluted runoff. This includes implementing natural spaces, rain gardens, and pervious pavement, as well as planting native plants and trees.

The impact of water pollution from urban and suburban areas on the Chesapeake Bay is evident, and efforts to reduce and control runoff pollution are crucial to restoring and maintaining the health of the Bay and its surrounding ecosystems.

Invasive species

There are more than 200 known or possible invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay region. Some examples include blue and flathead catfish, which were introduced to the James, Rappahannock, and York rivers in the 1970s and 1980s as a recreational catch. Today, they can be found in almost every major tributary in the watershed, and their growing numbers have raised concerns about their potential impact on native species.

Mute swans, large white birds found in ponds, creeks, and other shallow waters across the region, were introduced to the watershed in 1962 when five birds escaped from an estate on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Mute swans can cause significant damage to underwater grass beds, pulling up plants by their roots to feed, and can also be protective of their nests, displacing native wildlife from their feeding and nesting grounds.

Nutria, large semi-aquatic rodents native to South America, were introduced to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in 1943 to establish an experimental fur station. Since then, they have destroyed more than 7,000 acres of marshland by digging up plants to feed on, creating "eat outs" that are susceptible to erosion.

Phragmites, also known as the common reed, is a tall perennial plant that colonizes marshes, wetlands, ditches, and roadsides. The introduction of a European strain has caused phragmites to aggressively expand its range, and it is now estimated to cover one-third of the tidal wetlands along the East Coast. Phragmites can crowd out native wetland plants, reducing the amount of food and shelter available to wildlife.

Purple loosestrife, a perennial plant native to Eurasia, was introduced to the region in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal reasons. It can establish itself rapidly in new areas, crowding out native wetland plants. In some wetland communities, purple loosestrife has displaced more than half of the native plant species, disrupting bank fishermen and boat traffic.

Climate change

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most vulnerable regions in the nation to the effects of climate change. The bay's coastal communities are a major economic engine for the region, supporting commercial and recreational fishing, desirable living areas, and recreational opportunities. However, climate change poses a significant threat to these communities and the aquatic life that inhabits the bay.

Rising Sea Levels

Sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay have been rising at twice the average global rate. This is due to the warming of the oceans and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Over the past century, bay waters have risen by about one foot and are predicted to rise by another 1.3 to 5.2 feet in the next 100 years. This rapid rise is due to the land around the bay sinking through a process called subsidence. As a result, coastal flooding and shoreline erosion will become more frequent, inundating marshes and wetlands with saltwater, leading to the loss of vital habitats for fish, shellfish, and birds.

Increasing Water Temperatures

Water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay have been increasing, with an average rise of 1 degree Celsius or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 30 years. Warmer waters negatively impact aquatic life, such as brook trout, which can only survive in cool waters. Additionally, warmer waters have a reduced capacity to hold dissolved oxygen, leading to the creation of dead zones that suffocate marine life. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), average temperatures across the northeastern United States rose by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit between 1895 and 2011, and further warming is projected for the coming decades.

Extreme Weather Events

Changes in Wildlife Abundance and Migration

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