Helena Joyce
The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, is facing serious environmental threats due to human activities. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment are the three primary contributors to the poor health of the bay. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus cause excessive algae growth, which blocks sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and creates dead zones when the algae decompose and deplete oxygen levels. Sediment, composed of sand, silt, and clay, can smother bottom-dwelling species and cloud the water, further blocking sunlight. These pollutants enter the bay through stormwater runoff, agricultural activities, air pollution, and wastewater. Addressing these sources of pollution is crucial for restoring the bay's health and protecting its diverse aquatic life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Major Pollutants | Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sediment |
| Nitrogen Sources | Air pollution, fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs |
| Phosphorus Sources | Fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs |
| Sediment Sources | Dirt, sand, and clay |
| Air Pollution Sources | Cars, trucks, power plants, lawn tools, and other sources |
| Water Pollution Sources | Stormwater runoff, over-fertilization, animal wastes, chemical contaminants, pharmaceuticals, metals, pesticides, and other chemicals |
| Climate Change Effects | Sea level rise, warming water temperatures, prolonged extreme weather, invasive species |
| Human Activities | Deforestation, development, overfishing, pollution from cities and suburbs |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment
Nitrogen oxides have historically been a significant contributor to air pollution in the Chesapeake Bay region. In 2000, they accounted for three-quarters of the airborne nitrogen polluting the Bay, also contributing to ground-level ozone pollution. While emissions of airborne pollutants are decreasing, further reductions are necessary to meet pollution-reduction goals. By 2017, nitrogen oxides accounted for half of airborne nitrogen pollution, with ammonia making up the other half. Air sources contribute about one-third of the total nitrogen loads in the Bay by depositing onto the tidal surface waters.
Phosphorus enters the Chesapeake Bay watershed through polluted stormwater runoff, over-fertilization, and pollution from animal wastes. When nutrient-rich algae blooms form and then decompose, they create "dead zones" of low-oxygen water that can suffocate underwater life and reduce available habitats.
Sediment is a natural part of the Chesapeake Bay, but excess amounts can cloud the waters, harming aquatic life. The Conowingo Dam has long captured sediment flowing downstream, but its effectiveness as a "pollution gate" has recently come into question. Stormwater runoff is a growing source of sediment pollution in the watershed.
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Air pollution
There are four sources of air pollution in the Chesapeake Bay region: stationary and area sources, mobile sources, agricultural sources, and natural sources. Stationary sources include power plants, which emit nitrogen oxide pollution (NOx) when burning fuel. NOx is a group of highly reactive gases that are also found in vehicle exhaust. In 2000, nitrogen oxides accounted for three-quarters of the airborne nitrogen that was polluting the Bay, and they were a significant contributor to ground-level ozone pollution. By 2017, nitrogen oxides accounted for half of the airborne nitrogen pollution, with ammonia making up the other half.
Agricultural sources of air pollution include runoff from farms, which can carry excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus into the Bay. Atmospheric deposition is another source of nitrogen pollution, and the Chesapeake Bay Program aims to reduce this through its 2025 Watershed Implementation Plans. To lower air pollution in the Bay watershed, individuals can consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation when possible, as well as using electric or manual lawn mowers and yard tools instead of gas-powered machines.
In addition to nitrogen and phosphorus, air pollution also contributes to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay through the deposition of sediment. Erosion and construction sites can carry excessive amounts of sediment into the Bay, and the development of forests and farmland can rob the watershed of its natural ability to filter these pollutants. To clean up the Chesapeake Bay, it is essential to address both airborne and waterborne sources of pollution and work towards reducing emissions and improving land management practices.
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Stormwater runoff
The Chesapeake Bay region faces the challenge of polluted stormwater runoff due to a combination of human activities and natural factors. One of the leading causes is over-fertilization, where excess fertilizer from agricultural, urban, and suburban areas is washed into the Bay during storms or irrigation. This contributes to the growth of nutrient-fueled algae blooms, which, upon dying and decomposing, create "dead zones" with low oxygen levels that can suffocate underwater life and reduce available habitats.
Another significant source of stormwater runoff pollution is animal waste. As precipitation washes across surfaces contaminated with pet waste or animal waste from agricultural operations, it carries these pollutants into the Bay. Additionally, the Chesapeake Bay region experiences pollution from wetland destruction and deforestation caused by development projects. As forests and wetlands act as natural filters and buffers against stormwater runoff, their loss exacerbates the problem.
Climate change also plays a role in the increased stormwater runoff pollution. Rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, can overwhelm the natural filtration systems and infrastructure designed to manage stormwater. As a result, larger volumes of polluted stormwater make their way into the Bay. Furthermore, climate change-induced warming of water temperatures can have adverse effects on the Bay's ecosystem, including the signature crustacean, the blue crab.
To address the issue of polluted stormwater runoff, various initiatives are being undertaken. The Chesapeake Bay Program aims to reduce nitrogen pollution from sources such as atmospheric deposition through its 2025 Watershed Implementation Plans. The National Wildlife Federation is also actively involved in advocating for clean water policies and supporting the implementation of state clean water blueprints and pollution limits. Additionally, the Community Wildlife Habitat™ program is creating sustainable communities and greening projects around the Chesapeake Bay to improve water quality and the quality of life for residents.
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Invasive species
The Chesapeake Bay is polluted by a variety of factors, one of which is invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals, or insects that are not native to their current habitat and can cause harm to the local environment. They are often introduced through human activities and pose a serious risk to the delicate balance of the Bay's ecosystem. There are 200 known invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including blue catfish, nutria, emerald ash borer, and phragmites, and 280 invasive plants in the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
In 2012, the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team adopted an Invasive Catfish Policy statement, which aims to control the effects of nonnative catfish in the Bay. The Program is also committed to reducing the number of invasive blue catfish in the Bay through its Invasive Catfish Workgroup.
In addition to catfish and beetles, invasive crayfish species, dressenid mussels, and carp have been identified as priorities for management by multiple partner groups and agencies. These species pose a threat to the Bay's watershed and neighboring regions.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently revising its Chesapeake Bay-based science plan to align with recent science priorities, including providing an integrated understanding of the factors affecting fish habitat, fish health, and landscape conditions in the Bay and its watershed. This plan will help address the informational gap regarding aquatic invasive species (AIS) science and further develop the AIS management program.
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Climate change
One of the key ways climate change affects the Bay is by increasing the frequency and intensity of storms. Stronger storms stir up more sediment, clouding the water and reducing visibility for aquatic life. Sediment can also smother underwater plants and habitats, further degrading the ecosystem. In addition, the increased nutrient runoff from farmland during storms washes fertilizer and manure into the Bay and its tributaries, leading to excessive nutrient levels in the water. This, in turn, contributes to the growth of algae blooms, which, upon dying and decomposing, create "dead zones" with low oxygen levels that can suffocate underwater life.
Warming water temperatures also directly affect the Bay's ecosystems. Warmer water contains less oxygen, making survival more challenging for species that depend on it. This compounds the problem of "dead zones" created by algae blooms. Additionally, warming waters can disrupt the habitats and behaviours of various species, including important commercial and recreational fish species.
To address these challenges, various organizations are advocating for emission reductions and the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar power. By reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and methane, it is possible to curb the impacts of climate change and improve water quality. Additionally, initiatives such as the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint aim to reduce pollution and help communities adapt to the changing climate.
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Frequently asked questions
The three major contributors to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay are nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment.
Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution include fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs. Sediment is a natural part of the Chesapeake Bay, but excess amounts can harm underwater life.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus fuel unnaturally high levels of algae growth in the water, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria that consume oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" that suffocate marine life.
The Chesapeake Bay Program, Watershed Model 5.3.2, and the Choose Clean Water Coalition are some initiatives working to address pollution in the bay. The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to identify polluted waterways and set limits on pollutants. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
