Bronte Wells
The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, is facing serious environmental threats due to human activities. With a vast watershed covering six states and the District of Columbia, the bay is impacted by a range of pollutants from various sources. These include excess nutrients, sediment runoff, agricultural pollution, urban stormwater runoff, and air pollution. The consequences of these pollutants are reduced oxygen levels, harmful algal blooms, and the invasion of sediment into the water, all of which contribute to the degradation of aquatic life and the overall health of the bay. As a result, the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waterways have been listed as “impaired” under the federal Clean Water Act, prompting states to develop plans to address these issues by 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes of pollution | Excess nutrients, sediment, and agricultural pollution |
| Specific pollutants | Nitrogen, phosphorus, chemicals, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, metals |
| Sources of pollution | Farms, cities, suburbs, runoff from roads, streets, rooftops, and sidewalks, air pollution |
| Effects of pollution | Reduced levels of oxygen, "dead zones", invasive species, loss of native plants and animals, climate change |
| Action taken | EPA set limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution, upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, planting cover crops, planting gardens in cities |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for the growth of all living organisms in the bay. However, excessive amounts of these nutrients can degrade water quality and fuel the growth of algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses. When the algae die, they decompose and consume oxygen in the water, creating ""dead zones" that can stress or kill fish and shellfish.
Sediment, such as sand, silt, and clay, is a natural part of the Chesapeake Bay. However, in excess amounts, it can turn the water cloudy, also blocking sunlight from reaching aquatic grasses. Sediment can also smother oysters and other bottom-dwelling species when it settles to the bottom.
The Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint outlines the maximum amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution that can enter the bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program has been working to reduce pollution and has seen a decrease in overall nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment entering the bay.
To combat nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution, best management practices can be implemented in backyards, cities, and farms to reduce the flow of these pollutants into waterways. Additionally, upgrading stormwater systems and sewage treatment plants, improving septic systems, and reducing fertilizer use can help address these issues.
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Stormwater runoff
Agricultural runoff from farms is also a significant contributor to stormwater pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Farms are the largest source of nutrient and sediment pollution entering the bay. Fertilizers and animal manure carried by runoff water from farms pollute rivers and streams, causing excess algal growth. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria, which consume the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" that can suffocate underwater life.
Urban and suburban areas are another major source of stormwater runoff. As rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, parking lots, lawns, and other hardened surfaces, they pick up pollutants and wash them into storm drains, rivers, and streams. Increased development across the Chesapeake Bay watershed has exacerbated this problem, with more impervious surfaces causing higher volumes of runoff.
To reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff, individuals can install green roofs, rain gardens, or rain barrels to capture and absorb rainwater. Porous surfaces, such as gravel or pavers, can be used instead of asphalt or concrete to reduce runoff. Redirecting downspouts towards grass or gravel instead of paved surfaces can also help lessen the amount of runoff.
On a larger scale, local, state, and federal governments play a crucial role in reducing stormwater pollution. The Chesapeake Bay Program has developed Watershed Implementation Plans, targeting a reduction in sediment and nutrient pollution from various sources, including stormwater, by 2025. Additionally, enforcing stormwater laws and protecting natural areas, such as forests and vegetated buffers around streams, during new development projects can help mitigate the problem.
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Invasive species
There are as many as 200 invasive species present in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including blue catfish, nutria, emerald ash borer, phragmites, bamboo, garlic mustard, Japanese honeysuckle, zebra mussels, and mute swans. Blue catfish, for example, have a wide range of diets and consume several native Chesapeake species, including menhaden, stripers, eel, shad, river herring, and blue crabs. They can consume up to one-and-a-half blue crabs per day, posing a significant threat to this economically valuable species.
Mute swans, which were introduced to the watershed in 1962, can cause damage to underwater grass beds by pulling up plants by their roots to feed, reducing food and shelter for native wildlife. On land, they can be protective of their nests, chasing away perceived intruders. Nutria is another example of an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been working to remove nutria from the region through the Chesapeake Bay Nutria Eradication Project.
Invasive plants, such as phragmites, a type of reed, can aggressively expand their range and dominate mid-Atlantic marshlands, threatening the health of local ecosystems. Other invasive plants include bamboo, garlic mustard, and Japanese honeysuckle. The seeds of invasive plants are well-adapted to spreading and can easily hitchhike to new environments, making prevention and control challenging.
The Chesapeake Bay Program has recognized the need to control the effects of invasive catfish, and the Chesapeake Bay fishery managers and the sport fishing community are working to limit the impact of these invasive species on native fish populations.
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Climate change
The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers 64,000 square miles and is home to over 18 million people. It is the nation's largest estuary, supporting an incredibly diverse ecosystem with thousands of species of plants and animals. The bay is also a major economic driver, producing about 500 million pounds of seafood each year and supporting jobs in commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, and boating.
However, climate change is already causing rising sea levels, warming water temperatures, and more frequent and intense storms in the region. Sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay have risen by about one foot in the past century and are predicted to rise another 1.3 to 5.2 feet in the next 100 years. This rise in sea levels has already led to the submersion of several islands in the bay, including Sharp's Island and Holland's Island, and the loss of dozens of acres of pine forest on the property of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Warming water temperatures have been recorded in more than 92% of the bay's waters, and this increase in temperature reduces the amount of oxygen the water can hold. This, in turn, leads to the creation of "dead zones" that suffocate marine life. Warmer waters also stress vital eelgrass, which is already struggling with higher-than-average water temperatures. In 2005, a large-scale loss of eelgrass occurred in Tangier Sound due to warm water temperatures. The loss of eelgrass affects fish, crabs, and waterfowl that depend on grass beds for food and shelter.
The increase in intense storms has also led to more frequent flooding, which not only poses risks to life and property but also threatens water quality as stormwater runoff carries pollutants into the bay. Climate change is adding new challenges to an ecosystem already stressed by pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.
To combat these impacts, organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are working to reduce the effects of climate change through projects focused on climate adaptation, climate monitoring, and assessment. These projects aim to protect communities and aquatic ecosystems from the impacts of coastal erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise, as well as monitor and assess the trends and potential consequences of changing climatic conditions.
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Air pollution
Nitrogen deposited onto the tidal surface waters of the bay and its watershed comprises 6 to 8 percent of the total nitrogen load. Nitrogen deposited onto the land surface of the watershed and subsequently transported to the bay makes up approximately 25 to 28 percent of the total load. This nitrogen, along with phosphorus, fuels unnaturally high levels of algae growth in the water. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria, which consume the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" that suffocate underwater life.
Excessive amounts of nitrogen come from various sources, including air pollution, fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs. The agricultural sector is a major contributor to air pollution, with Pennsylvania alone supplying about half of the bay's freshwater flow and the largest share of its agricultural pollution.
To address these issues, various initiatives are being undertaken. For example, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is working with farmers, industry, and government agencies to develop science-based solutions for reducing pollutants. Additionally, the National Wildlife Federation is supporting the implementation of state clean water blueprints and pollution limits. These collective efforts aim to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waterways.
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, encompassing six states and affecting approximately 17 million people. The efforts to reduce air pollution and improve water quality are crucial not only for the environment but also for the millions of people who depend on the bay for jobs, recreation, and food.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of pollution in Chesapeake Bay are excess nutrients, sediment runoff, and agricultural pollution.
Excess nutrients cause high levels of algae growth, which blocks sunlight from reaching underwater vegetation and creates low-oxygen conditions, known as "dead zones", when the algae die and decompose.
Sediment runoff refers to tiny particles of dirt, sand, and clay that cloud the water, blocking sunlight and smothering underwater life when it settles at the bottom.
Various initiatives are being implemented to reduce pollution in Chesapeake Bay, including the Clean Water Act, the Choose Clean Water Coalition, and the Community Wildlife Habitat program. In addition, Penn State is working with farmers to develop science-based solutions, and the state of Pennsylvania is crafting strategies to involve farmers in cleaning up its waterways.
