Bronte Wells
The bay is affected by a variety of pollutants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and mercury. These pollutants can come from a range of sources, such as fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and construction sites. Stormwater runoff is the single largest source of bay pollution, carrying trash, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants directly into local waterways. Air pollution, such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants and vehicles, can also have a significant impact on the bay, contributing to acid rain and algal blooms that harm the aquatic ecosystem. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algae growth, blocking sunlight and oxygen from reaching underwater grasses and other organisms. These pollutants ultimately diminish oxygen levels in the water, creating dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.
Stormwater runoff
The impact of stormwater runoff on bays is significant and far-reaching. Firstly, it contributes to the growth of algae blooms by carrying excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, into the water. These algae blooms block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and create low-oxygen dead zones that suffocate marine life, including fish, oysters, and other aquatic organisms.
Secondly, stormwater runoff causes sedimentation issues. The runoff picks up and carries excess sediment, which clouds the water and further blocks sunlight. When this sediment eventually settles, it can smother bottom-dwelling species such as oysters.
Additionally, stormwater runoff is a vector for chemical contaminants, including pesticides, leaking fuel, motor oil, and toxic metals. These contaminants can have detrimental effects on both human and wildlife health. They can contaminate drinking water sources, making treatment more challenging and expensive, and endanger aquatic life.
Moreover, stormwater runoff contributes to the litter problem in bays and waterways. Items like plastic bags, cigarette butts, and beverage bottles are carried by stormwater into sewer systems and waterways. This litter detracts from the natural beauty of the area, smothers aquatic plants and organisms, adds toxic contaminants to the water, and poses health risks to animals.
The increase in impervious surfaces due to urban and suburban development exacerbates the problem of stormwater runoff. These surfaces, including roads, rooftops, sidewalks, and parking lots, prevent water from soaking into the ground and increase the amount and speed of runoff. This, in turn, alters natural stream flow and further pollutes aquatic habitats.
To mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, it is essential to reduce the amount of precipitation that can run off properties and impervious surfaces. This can be achieved by implementing green infrastructure solutions, such as installing green roofs, rain gardens, or rain barrels, using porous surfaces, and redirecting home downspouts towards grass or gravel areas.
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Air pollution
One of the primary concerns regarding air pollution in the bay area is the high levels of nitrogen oxide pollution, often referred to as NOx. NOx is released into the air when fuel is burned, particularly in regions with a high density of fuel-burning vehicles and power plants. The impact of NOx pollution is twofold: it contributes to acid rain and leads to excess nitrogen deposits, both of which are detrimental to the bay's ecosystem. According to estimates, about one-third of the bay's total yearly load of nitrogen pollution comes from the air. This excess nitrogen fuels the growth of algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and create "dead zones" where marine life suffocates due to a lack of oxygen.
Additionally, air pollution in the bay area also includes sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, which occur when vehicles and heavy equipment burn fuel with high sulfur content. SO2 not only contributes to damaging acid rain but also impairs the growth of plants that are essential for sustaining the bay's ecosystem. Mercury pollution is another critical issue, as the burning of coal, oil, or wood, as well as the incineration of medical waste, releases mercury into the air. This toxic metal eventually finds its way into the bay's waterways, reaching harmful levels, particularly in the tissue of fish and shellfish. As a result, anglers are advised to limit their consumption of certain fish species to avoid potential health risks.
The impact of air pollution on human health in the bay area is also profound. NOx emissions irritate the airways and pose risks to vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments. They also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter, which are associated with serious health risks. Ozone can cause constriction of the muscles in the airways, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing, and headaches. Long-term exposure to ozone is a likely cause of asthma and may contribute to permanent lung damage, especially in children.
Furthermore, air pollution in the bay area disproportionately affects communities of color. According to a study, neighborhoods with higher percentages of residents of color experienced double the rate of asthma from traffic-related air pollution compared to predominantly white neighborhoods. This disparity is a result of decades of discriminatory housing and planning policies, which have led to higher air pollution levels in these communities.
To address air pollution in the bay area, a combination of approaches is necessary. This includes transitioning to alternative and renewable energy sources, adopting low-emission vehicles, implementing smart land-use planning, and exploring innovative means of transportation. Additionally, maintaining and protecting forests is crucial, as they act as natural absorbers of airborne pollutants, reducing the amount of nitrogen and other pollutants in the air.
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Sediment pollution
Watershed sources of sediment are the dominant contributors to the Chesapeake Bay, with agricultural lands and construction sites being the most significant. The removal of vegetation for agriculture and development exposes the land, making it more susceptible to erosion. Construction sites, in particular, can produce up to 20 times more sediment per acre than agricultural lands. This sediment enters nearby waterways, leading to increased sediment loads in bays and their tributaries.
Tidal sources of sediment, on the other hand, result from eroding shorelines and nearshore areas, as well as the resuspension of already-eroded sediments. While tidal erosion is a natural process that contributes to the creation and maintenance of beaches and tidal wetlands, human activities can disrupt this balance. The construction of hardened shorelines, lined with rocks, wood, or concrete, can impede the natural formation of wetland habitats and deprive beaches of new sediment. This, in turn, can lead to increased erosion in the shallow areas directly in front of these man-made shores, further elevating sediment levels in the water.
The consequences of sediment pollution are far-reaching. Elevated sediment levels in bay areas can have a detrimental effect on water quality and aquatic life. The sediment clouds the water, reducing water clarity and blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants and grasses. This lack of sunlight leads to the death of these plants, which serve as food and habitat for young fish and shellfish. Additionally, sediment can smother oysters and other bottom-dwelling species when it settles to the bottom.
Moreover, sediment pollution can facilitate the spread of contaminants. Nutrients and chemical pollutants can bind to sediment particles, allowing them to travel through the bay and its waterways. This contamination can extend to fish and shellfish, triggering consumption advisories in affected areas. The accumulation of sediment can also have economic implications, clogging ports and channels essential for commercial shipping and recreational boating.
Addressing sediment pollution requires a comprehensive approach. Implementing erosion control measures, such as mulching or planting buffers of trees and shrubs, can help reduce sediment runoff from eroding lands. Additionally, adopting more sustainable land and shoreline management practices can minimize the disruption of natural processes, allowing for the maintenance of healthy bay ecosystems.
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Mercury contamination
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that collects in the aquatic food chain and harms fish, birds, marine mammals, and humans. Mercury in the environment is often converted by bacteria into a more toxic form called methylmercury, which is a potent neurotoxin that remains in the environment and bioaccumulates in the ecosystem. Methylmercury in the food chain is linked to neurological, developmental, immunological, reproductive, and cardiovascular problems in wildlife and people exposed to it by eating contaminated fish.
Sources of Mercury in the Bay
Mercury enters the bay from various sources, including:
- Legacy mining operations throughout the watershed
- Contaminated sediment in the Central Valley
- Stormwater pollution from city streets
- Industrial wastewater and air pollution
- Sewage treatment plants
- Oil refineries
- Cement kilns
- Coal-burning power plants in China
However, the biggest source of mercury in the bay is linked to California's history of gold mining. During the Gold Rush in the 19th century, mercury was used to separate gold from crushed rock. The legacy of this era has left a significant amount of mercury in the bay, with approximately 2,000 pounds entering the bay each year.
Efforts to Reduce Mercury Pollution
San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental group, has been working to reduce mercury contamination in the bay. They have advocated for stronger measures to protect communities that rely on fish from the bay as a food source and have pushed for the implementation and enforcement of mercury cleanup plans. Their efforts have led to a reduction of nearly 40% of the mercury reaching the bay annually.
Other efforts to address mercury pollution in the bay include:
- Tracking and regulating airborne mercury pollution from refineries and other air polluters
- Cleaning up legacy mercury pollution from old gold mines, such as the Empire Mine in Grass Valley
- Developing a cleanup plan for methylmercury in the Delta region
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Algal blooms
The consequences of algal blooms are far-reaching and detrimental. They can directly harm aquatic life through the production of toxins, which are detrimental to fish and other animals, and even impact humans who consume poisoned fish or shellfish. These toxins can move up the food chain, affecting larger animals and birds. Even non-toxic algal blooms can cause harm by blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants and grasses, which are a critical source of food and habitat for many organisms. As the algae decompose, they also consume oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" or hypoxic areas where aquatic life cannot survive due to the lack of oxygen.
The frequency and duration of algal blooms have been increasing, and climate change is expected to exacerbate this problem. Warmer water temperatures provide a competitive advantage for certain types of bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, which can trigger a feedback loop where thicker blooms absorb more sunlight, leading to even warmer water temperatures. Additionally, climate change-induced droughts can lead to decreased water flow, creating stagnant conditions that further promote algal growth.
The impact of algal blooms extends beyond the ecological to the economic and social spheres. They can reduce tourism, recreation, and commercial fishing, affecting local economies. For instance, a persistent algal bloom in an Ohio lake resulted in a loss of $47 million in tourism revenue over a two-year period. Algal blooms also pose risks to drinking water supplies, with an estimated 30-48 million Americans relying on lakes and reservoirs that could be contaminated by algal toxins.
To address the issue of algal blooms, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes implementing better farming practices that reduce nutrient runoff, adopting green infrastructure in cities to capture rainwater, and protecting and restoring natural wetlands that act as filters and improve water quality. By curbing climate change and reducing nutrient pollution, we can mitigate the negative impacts of algal blooms on our ecosystems, economy, and public health.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of pollution that affect the bay are nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. These pollutants can come from fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, suburbs, and construction sites.
High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fuel unnaturally high levels of algae growth in the water, causing algal blooms that block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and other aquatic life. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria that consume the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive.
Air pollution, such as nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx) and sulfur dioxide pollution (SO2), can contribute to acid rain and deposits of excess nitrogen and sulfur in the bay. These pollutants can harm the bay's ecosystem by damaging the growth of plants and causing algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water.
Pollution in the bay can have direct and indirect impacts on human health. For example, NOx emissions can irritate airways and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can cause respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and headaches. Additionally, the consumption of fish from the bay may be unsafe due to high levels of mercury contamination, which can accumulate in the tissue of fish and shellfish.
