Bronte Wells
The Great Bay has been facing pollution due to various factors, including population growth, inadequate planning, and environmental degradation. The pollution in the bay is mainly caused by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to excessive algae growth, reduced oxygen levels, and the destruction of aquatic life. Human activities such as sewage treatment, industrial waste, and fertilizer runoff have contributed to the pollution. Additionally, the development of forests and farmland has impacted the watershed's ability to filter pollutants. Efforts are being made to restore the bay, but challenges remain in addressing issues like polluted runoff, lost wetlands, and invasive species. Some locations, including beaches in California, Hawaii, and Florida, have been identified as having high bacteria levels and impaired water quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lower Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Pollution Sources | Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Sediment, Septic Tanks, Sewage Treatment Plants, Industrial Wastes |
| Environmental Impact | Reduced Oxygen Levels, Algal Blooms, Loss of Aquatic Life and Habitats |
| Action Taken | EPA Pollution Limits, Clean-up Efforts, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution
The majority of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Chesapeake Bay comes from sewage treatment plants, animal feed lots, and polluted runoff from crop land, urban, and suburban areas. Agricultural runoff is the largest source, contributing approximately 60% of the nitrogen and 45% of the phosphorus entering the bay. Air pollution, including vehicle exhaust and industrial sources such as power plants, also contributes significantly to nitrogen pollution, accounting for about one-third of the total.
Sediment pollution, caused by tiny particles of dirt, sand, and clay floating in the water, can also contribute to the poor health of waterways. Excessive sediment turns the water cloudy, blocking sunlight from reaching aquatic grasses and smothering bottom-dwelling species when it settles.
To address these issues, the Chesapeake Bay Program has set goals to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution by 2025. As of 2023, practices put in place have achieved 57% of the nitrogen reductions and 67% of the phosphorus reduction needed. The agricultural sector has played a significant role in these reductions, accounting for 43% of nitrogen reductions and 26% of phosphorus reductions. Additionally, states like Maryland and West Virginia have made substantial progress towards their reduction goals, with West Virginia achieving 100% of its reduction targets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment.
Implementing conservation measures on farms, upgrading stormwater systems and sewage treatment plants, improving septic system operations, and reducing fertilizer use are all strategies that can help reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution in waterways. Protecting and restoring natural filters such as forests, oysters, wetlands, and underwater grasses is also crucial for improving water quality.
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Sewage and septic tanks
Septic tanks and sewage systems are a major source of pollution in the Great South Bay. The bay's main issue is water quality, which is affected by excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. Scientists claim that 69% of the excess nitrogen in the bay is from septic systems. During heavy rains, cesspools and septic tanks fail, and fertilizers and pesticides wash off lawns into the bay.
The problem of leaky and failing septic tanks is not new in Miami, with the area's geography and geology making them a risky proposition. As sea levels rise, there are concerns about waste from septic tanks running into waterways and polluting Biscayne Bay. Residents in neighbourhoods around Miami have reported problems with toilets backing up, sewage-tainted water flooding their properties, and worries about their waste running through the streets.
In the Chesapeake Bay, sewage plants have made significant progress in reducing pollution, but this has not been matched in suburban and rural areas where onsite septic systems are used to treat human waste. Backyard septic systems are responsible for a large portion of household waste in many counties in the Bay region. Efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution from septic systems are lagging, with these systems releasing about 7.8 million pounds a year, an increase of over 200,000 pounds since 2010.
To improve water quality, it is recommended that septic systems undergo regular maintenance, such as annual inspections and pumping every three to five years. Additionally, conserving water can reduce the strain on septic systems and prevent backups. Implementing native plantings that do not require fertilizer, pesticides, or extra water can also help mitigate pollution from stormwater runoff.
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Poor water quality
The Great South Bay has been facing issues with poor water quality due to the rapid population growth of Long Island, which quadrupled in the last 50 years. This has resulted in the destruction of marsh and woodland habitats, the pollution of groundwater with nitrogenous waste, and the over-harvesting of clams, which are essential for maintaining the bay's water quality.
The bay's pollution is further exacerbated by the lack of proper sewage and runoff infrastructure, with hundreds of thousands of septic tanks, sewage treatment facilities, and large-scale septic tanks polluting the groundwater. The Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant is also contributing to the ecological disaster. Additionally, there are more than 2000 outfall pipes pouring polluted runoff into the lakes and streams, which eventually flow into the bay.
The increase in nitrogenous waste has triggered massive annual algal blooms, known as brown tides, which destroy eelgrass habitats and make the water murky, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater. This has led to a significant decline in the population of hard-shell clams and fin fish, which depend on the eelgrass habitat.
To address these issues, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative aims to reduce runoff pollution and improve the habitat in the bay. Clean-up efforts are also underway in the Fox River, which has a history of untreated sewage and industrial waste being dumped directly into the river, contaminating the sediments. However, challenges remain in restoring the fishable, swimmable waters of the region.
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High bacteria levels
The Great South Bay has been suffering from high levels of pollution due to the rapid population growth of Long Island, which quadrupled in the last 50 years. Marsh and woodland habitats were destroyed, and homes were built in flood-prone areas. The sewage infrastructure is either antiquated or non-existent, with 2000 outfall pipes pouring polluted runoff into the streams and bays. There are also 100 dams and spillways that cut off inland waterways from the bays. The Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant and hundreds of thousands of septic tanks buried in Long Island's sandy, porous soil are polluting the groundwater with nitrogenous waste. This has led to massive annual algal blooms, which destroy the habitats of hard-shell clams and fin fish.
Similarly, Lower Green Bay and the Fox River in Wisconsin have been listed as Great Lakes Areas of Concern due to environmental degradation. The river was used as a dumping ground for untreated sewage and industrial waste before the 1970s, and contaminated sediments remain an issue. While clean-up efforts are underway, challenges remain in addressing polluted runoff, lost wetlands, and non-native plant and animal invasions.
In California, Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, a popular tourist destination, has been identified as having some of the highest bacteria levels in the country. Nearly three out of four samples from the beach showed high bacteria levels. The Surfrider Foundation is working to identify the sources of contamination, which could be from human sewage or animals such as dogs or horses.
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Algal blooms
While I could not find specific information about Great Bay, algal blooms are a common problem in many bays and lakes. Algal blooms are caused by high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, which fuel unnaturally high levels of algae growth. These high levels of nutrients can come from fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs. When there is an excess of algae, it blocks sunlight from reaching underwater grasses, which provide food and habitat for aquatic life. As the algae die off, they are decomposed by bacteria, which consume the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to reduced oxygen levels.
Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding rivers and streams, for example, have been impacted by pollution, including high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to algal blooms. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, aiming to improve water quality and reduce pollution.
Similarly, Lake Erie has faced issues with algal blooms, which have been linked to nutrient-rich water from greenhouse farms and runoff from agricultural fields using manure as fertilizer. Environmentalists have criticized plans to address the problem in Lake Erie for not holding agriculture accountable for their contribution to the issue.
In Michigan, Ford Lake and its downstream neighbor, Belleville Lake, turn bright green every summer due to harmful algal blooms. The state had planned to reduce phosphorus levels by 2025 but is now uncertain if this goal will be met.
Overall, algal blooms are a significant issue affecting many water bodies, including bays and lakes. They are caused by high levels of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which fuel excessive algae growth, leading to negative ecological consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Great Bay is polluted. The pollution is caused by untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is working to reduce runoff pollution and improve the habitat in the bay. Clean-up efforts are also underway to address the contaminated sediment and lost wetlands.
The pollution has led to a decrease in biodiversity, with species such as fish and wildlife being impacted. The water quality has also been affected, with high bacteria levels making it unsafe for human recreation.
The pollution in Great Bay has impacted the region's economy, as the bay has long fueled the region's development and economy as a source of water, food, jobs, and recreation.
