Brian Barton
The Chesapeake Bay is a body of water that is partially made up of saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean and freshwater from the Susquehanna River. The three main pollutants of the Chesapeake Bay are nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. These pollutants enter the bay through agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution, and urban and suburban runoff. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus cause unnaturally high levels of algae growth, which blocks sunlight from reaching underwater plants and creates low-oxygen dead zones that suffocate marine life. Sediment includes loose particles of clay, silt, and sand that wash into the water, clouding it and smothering bottom-dwelling animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Pollutants | Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sediment |
| Nitrogen Sources | Soil, animal waste, plant material, the atmosphere, air pollution, agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, septic tank discharges, runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs |
| Phosphorus Sources | Soil, animal waste, plant material, manure, chemical fertilizers from farmland and animal operations, chemical fertilizers applied to lawns, golf courses, and other developed lands, human waste treated and discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants and wastewater discharged from industrial facilities |
| Sediment Sources | Loose particles of clay, silt, and sand, loose soil and fertilizer used throughout suburban and urban areas, soil, fertilizer, and eroding stream banks on agricultural property, human waste treated and discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants and wastewater discharged from industrial facilities |
| Other Pollutants | Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, metals, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, chromium, lead, naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene, zinc, antibiotics, medications, personal use products |
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What You'll Learn
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution from agricultural runoff
- Toxic chemicals from industrial sites, military bases, and agriculture
- Air pollution from vehicles, power plants, and other sources
- Sediment pollution from soil, fertilizer, and eroding stream banks
- Phosphorous pollution from manure, emissions, and chemical fertilizers
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution from agricultural runoff
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution are the three main pollutants of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program has been tracking sources of these pollutants annually to understand what is threatening the Bay.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment enter the Bay from three main sources: wastewater treatment plants, urban and suburban runoff, and agricultural runoff. The largest source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Bay is agricultural runoff, which contributes roughly 60% of the nitrogen and 45% of the phosphorus entering the Bay. Farms are a significant source of water pollution, but they also present a significant opportunity for improvement. Implementing conservation measures on farms is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce pollution in the Bay.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that fuel the growth of algae blooms in the water. While nutrients are essential for the growth of living organisms, excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus degrade the Bay's water quality. These algae blooms block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and grasses, which need sunlight to survive. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria, which consumes oxygen in the water, creating "'dead zones' with little to no oxygen that can suffocate marine life.
Sediment is made up of tiny particles of dirt, sand, silt, and clay that wash into the water. Sediment can also carry high concentrations of phosphorus and toxic chemicals. Similar to algae blooms, sediment makes the water cloudy, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants. As sediment settles at the bottom of the Bay, it can smother bottom-dwelling species such as oysters.
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Toxic chemicals from industrial sites, military bases, and agriculture
The Chesapeake Bay, a 200-mile-long estuary stretching from northern Maryland to southern Virginia, is known for its diverse ecosystem and renowned shellfish. However, toxic chemicals from industrial sites, military bases, and agriculture have significantly impacted the health of the bay.
Industrial Sites
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), highly toxic industrial compounds, were banned in 1977. However, they continue to persist in the bay's watershed due to accidental leaks, improper disposal, and legacy deposits. PCBs accumulate in fish and animal tissue, traveling up the food chain, and have been linked to various health issues in wildlife and humans, including cancer, birth defects, and hormonal imbalances.
Military Bases
The Chesapeake Bay is home to the US Naval Academy and over a dozen other military installations. Groundwater on these bases is contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals." PFAS compounds are used in various consumer products and are known for their persistence in the environment and ability to accumulate in organisms. They have been detected in high levels in striped bass, blue crabs, and oysters, which are then consumed by humans. The contamination has been attributed to firefighting foam used during training exercises.
Agriculture
Agricultural practices also contribute to the toxic chemical pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Pesticides, such as the herbicide atrazine, flow into the bay through polluted stormwater runoff from farms and private yards. Atrazine is a neurotoxic pesticide that has been linked to adverse health effects, including lower birth weight, reduced IQ, and attention disorders. It is banned in much of the world but remains the second most commonly used herbicide in the United States.
The presence of these toxic chemicals from various sources poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and human health in the Chesapeake Bay region. Efforts are needed to reduce and mitigate the impact of these pollutants to restore the bay's health and protect the surrounding communities.
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Air pollution from vehicles, power plants, and other sources
Air pollution is one of the major contributors to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay. It is caused by vehicles, power plants, and other sources, which release pollutants into the air that eventually find their way into the Bay and its waterways.
Vehicles
Vehicles, including cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, boats, airplanes, and construction equipment, are significant sources of air pollution in the Chesapeake Bay region. Vehicle emissions, particularly from heavy-duty vehicles, have been linked to adverse health effects, including respiratory problems and the aggravation of lung diseases. Additionally, recreational and commercial anglers have been impacted by airborne pollutants, as contaminants can accumulate in fish tissue.
Power Plants
Power plants are another major source of air pollution in the region. The burning of coal, oil, or wood in power plants releases pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and mercury into the air, which can then fall back to earth or be washed out of the air by rain. Mercury pollution, in particular, has been found in high levels in fish and shellfish in the Bay, leading to consumption advisories.
Other Sources
Other sources of air pollution in the Chesapeake Bay region include stationary sources such as manufacturing facilities, area sources like dry cleaners and gas stations, agricultural sources (farm operations), and natural sources such as lightning and dust storms. Wind and weather patterns can also carry airborne pollutants over long distances, affecting the Bay's airshed, which is approximately 570,000 square miles.
To address air pollution from these sources, efforts are being made to maintain and expand forests that absorb airborne pollutants, as well as enact regulations to reduce emissions from vehicles and power plants. New technologies are also being implemented to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the Chesapeake Bay region.
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Sediment pollution from soil, fertilizer, and eroding stream banks
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the United States' largest and most biologically diverse estuaries, spanning 64,000 square miles and encompassing rivers, streams, and tidal wetlands. Unfortunately, the bay is facing significant ecological threats, with sediment pollution from soil, fertilizer, and eroding stream banks being one of the three main contributors to its poor health.
Sediment pollution is caused by the accumulation of loose particles of clay, silt, and sand that wash into the water. These particles can come from various sources, including soil erosion, agricultural runoff, and construction activities. When excess sediment enters the bay, it reduces water clarity, impairing the amount of sunlight that can reach underwater plants and grasses. This, in turn, disrupts the aquatic ecosystem, as plants and grasses are a vital source of food and habitat for many organisms.
One of the significant sources of sediment pollution is soil erosion. When land is cleared of vegetation for agriculture or development, it becomes more susceptible to erosion by wind, water, or ice. This disruption of soil leads to the formation of sediment, which is then washed into the bay and its tributaries. Eroding stream banks, in particular, contribute significantly to the sediment load, as they directly feed into the water bodies.
Fertilizer use also plays a role in sediment pollution. Excessive or improper application of fertilizers on farmland, lawns, and golf courses can lead to nutrient runoff into the bay. While fertilizers are intended to enhance plant growth, when they enter water bodies in high concentrations, they contribute to the sediment load and fuel the growth of algae. This, in turn, creates "algae blooms," which further block sunlight and deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" that are detrimental to aquatic life.
Additionally, construction activities can be a source of sediment pollution. Construction sites can generate significant amounts of sediment, often 10 to 20 times more per acre than agricultural lands. This sediment can be washed into nearby waterways, increasing the sediment load in the bay. It is important to note that while natural sources contribute a significant amount of phosphorous to the bay, human activities, such as fertilizer use and wastewater discharge, significantly impact sediment pollution levels.
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![Status and trends of contaminant levels in biota and sediments of Tampa Bay A.Y. Cantillo, [et al.] 1999 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Phosphorous pollution from manure, emissions, and chemical fertilizers
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the United States' largest and most biologically diverse estuaries, but it is facing a lethal overdose of pollution. Phosphorus is one of the three main pollutants, along with nitrogen and sediment, that are causing the poor health of the bay.
Phosphorus pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has multiple sources, including manure, emissions, and chemical fertilizers. Animal manure is a significant source of phosphorus, and improper use can lead to environmental damage. For example, broiler litters are relatively high in phosphorus, and when mismanaged, can result in a buildup of phosphorus in soils, impacting surface water quality. Conservation methods such as buffer strips, riparian zones, and cover crops can help reduce phosphorus loss from manure-treated fields.
Emissions from power plants and vehicles also contribute to airborne phosphorus loads in the bay. By conserving energy and driving less, nutrient loads from these sources can be reduced.
Chemical fertilizers used on lawns and turf grass are another source of phosphorus pollution. Excess fertilizer nutrients can wash into nearby waters during precipitation events or seep directly into groundwater, harming the bay and local waterways. States like Minnesota have taken action by banning phosphorus in lawn fertilizers.
Overall, reducing phosphorus pollution in the Chesapeake Bay requires a combination of improved manure management practices, reduced emissions, and stricter regulations on fertilizer use. By addressing these sources of pollution, it is possible to improve the water quality and ecological health of the bay.
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Frequently asked questions
The three main pollutants of the Chesapeake Bay are nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment.
Excess nitrogen in the bay fuels the growth of algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and create low-oxygen "dead zones" that suffocate marine life.
Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay comes from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution, and urban and suburban runoff. Airborne nitrogen, which makes up about one-third of the nitrogen in the bay, comes from machines or processes powered by gas, coal, or oil, like cars or building heating.
