Kiera Jefferson
Underwater grasses are critical to the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for wildlife, add oxygen to the water, and help trap sediment and absorb nutrient pollution. However, they are sensitive to pollution, and their health is a direct indicator of the cleanliness of the waters they inhabit. When underwater grasses are sick or dying, it is usually due to pollution that reduces water quality. In this paragraph, we will explore the effects of pollution on underwater grasses and the steps being taken to mitigate these impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effect of pollution on underwater grasses | Hinders the growth of underwater grasses by clouding the water, blocking sunlight from reaching the plants |
| Types of pollutants | Excess nutrients, suspended particles of sand, silt and sediment |
| Impact of nutrient pollution | Overfertilize the water, creating huge blooms of algae that deplete oxygen and produce "dead zones" that cannot support fish or plant life |
| Impact of sediment pollution | Blocks light from reaching underwater grasses, smothers them directly as it settles |
| Impact of pollution on wildlife | Loss of underwater grasses can lead to a reduced number of juvenile blue crabs, who rely on underwater grass beds for habitat and protection from predators |
| Impact of extreme weather | Extreme weather, such as high temperatures or excess rainfall, can harm underwater grasses |
| Impact of temperature on underwater grasses | Some species, like eelgrass, cannot grow in water that is too warm |
| Impact of rainfall on underwater grasses | Higher than average rainfall can push nutrient and sediment pollution into the bay, altering salinity levels and threatening underwater grasses |
| Impact of development | Pollution and development can degrade water quality, negatively impacting underwater grasses |
| Impact of agriculture | Agricultural practices can contribute to nutrient and sediment pollution, which can smother underwater grasses |
What You'll Learn
Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for the growth of all living organisms in bodies of water like the Chesapeake Bay. However, too much of these nutrients can degrade water quality. Nitrogen and phosphorus feed algal blooms that block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses, and deplete oxygen levels when they die and decompose. These "dead zones" of low or no oxygen can stress and kill fish and shellfish.
The majority of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution comes from sewage treatment plants, animal feedlots, and polluted runoff from cropland, urban, and suburban areas. Air pollution from vehicle exhaust and industrial sources like power plants also contribute significantly to nitrogen pollution.
Reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution is crucial for the health of underwater grasses and the ecosystem as a whole. In the Chesapeake Bay, cutting discharges of these nutrients has led to the largest resurgence of underwater grasses ever recorded, demonstrating the resilience of coastal ecosystems and the effectiveness of concerted efforts to reduce nutrient pollution.
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Stormwater runoff
Urbanisation has led to an increase in impermeable surfaces, such as concrete and roofs, which means that rainwater cannot penetrate the soil. This results in greater volumes of stormwater runoff, which picks up and carries pollutants, including fertilizers, pesticides, oil, dirt, and chemicals, into nearby water systems.
To mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, various control measures can be implemented. These include public education, land use controls, erosion control solutions, and the implementation of green infrastructure systems.
By targeting stormwater runoff at its source and utilizing these control measures, we can protect water resources, local communities, and the environment from the harmful effects of this type of pollution.
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Algal blooms
Most freshwater algal blooms in the United States are produced by cyanobacteria, which are bacteria that perform photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria blooms are the most common type of harmful algal blooms in lakes, ponds, and other freshwater systems. They can produce dangerous cyanotoxins, which can cause neurological damage, serious liver damage, and skin irritations and respiratory issues.
The potential for algal blooms comes from nutrient pollution, specifically an overabundance of the essential plant nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus. These elements enter waterways from various sources, including industrial and wastewater treatment plant discharges, septic tanks, stormwater runoff from urban and rural areas, and nutrient-enriched rainfall.
To reduce algal blooms, it is important to address nutrient pollution. This can be achieved through better farming practices, such as adopting regenerative practices that improve soil health and reduce nutrient-packed runoff. Green infrastructure in cities, such as green roofs and rain-absorbing plants, can also help capture rainwater and reduce stormwater runoff.
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Water clarity
Pollution is a significant contributor to reduced water clarity. Excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as suspended particles of sand, silt, and sediment, can cloud the water and block sunlight from reaching the underwater grasses. This is what happened in the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s, when pollution and development degraded water quality and led to a sharp decline in underwater grasses.
However, the story of the Chesapeake Bay also shows that reducing pollution can lead to a resurgence of underwater grasses. Since 1984, the quantity of nitrogen entering the bay has decreased by 23%, and phosphorus has fallen by 8%. This has resulted in a significant increase in underwater grasses, with some species reappearing in locations where they had not been seen for decades.
The impact of pollution on water clarity and, consequently, on the health of underwater grasses, is a delicate balance. While some pollutants can cloud the water and block sunlight, other pollutants, such as algae blooms, can deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" that cannot support plant life.
Overall, maintaining water clarity is crucial for the growth and survival of underwater grasses, and reducing pollution plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining this clarity.
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Climate change
Underwater grasses, also known as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), are a critical part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for many species, including juvenile crabs and fish, and migratory waterfowl. They also play an essential role in maintaining water quality by absorbing nutrients, trapping sediments, and reducing erosion. However, they are sensitive to changes in water quality and climate variability, which poses significant challenges to their survival.
The loss of underwater grasses has far-reaching consequences for the ecosystem. It not only affects the species that rely on them for food and shelter but also impacts water quality. Underwater grasses help improve water clarity by trapping sediments and reducing erosion. Their presence contributes to the overall health and resilience of the Chesapeake Bay.
Additionally, climate change-induced ocean warming, acidification, and low oxygen levels can combine to create extreme marine events such as marine heatwaves, dead zones, and coral bleaching. These events can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems, as seen in the 2014 marine heatwave that led to the death of many sea lions.
To protect underwater grasses and mitigate the impacts of climate change, it is crucial to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This includes implementing measures to improve water clarity, planting and protecting underwater grasses, and enhancing education and outreach efforts. By addressing these issues, we can help restore and conserve underwater grasses, supporting the vibrant ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and the species that call it home.
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Frequently asked questions
Underwater grasses are extremely sensitive to pollution. Nutrient and sediment pollution can block sunlight from reaching the plants, hindering their growth.
Underwater grasses, also known as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), are flowering plants that grow in shallow waters. They are a critical part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Underwater grasses need sunlight to grow, so improving water clarity is crucial for their restoration. They also absorb nutrients, trap sediments, and produce oxygen during photosynthesis.
Underwater grasses provide food and habitat for many species, including juvenile crabs, fish, and migratory waterfowl. Their loss can contribute to a decline in these populations, affecting the overall health of the ecosystem.
