Kiera Jefferson
Chesapeake Bay has been on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) dirty waters list for decades due to pollution from agricultural operations, urban and suburban stormwater, wastewater, and airborne contaminants. While voluntary efforts to clean up the bay have been ongoing for the last 26 years, pollution in the bay can be traced back to the early 19th century, according to a study by researchers at the University of Alabama. The study, which used oyster shells from archeological sites to measure the environmental impact of waste input, showed that increasing deforestation and industrialization around the Bay led to water quality issues before the Civil War.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when pollution started | Early 19th century |
| Causes | Deforestation, Industrialization |
| Pollutants | Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sediment |
| Sources of pollutants | Fertilizers, Wastewater, Septic tank discharges, Air pollution, Farm/City/Suburban runoff |
| Effects | Reduced levels of oxygen, Algae blooms, Blocked sunlight, Low populations of fish and shellfish |
| Cleanup efforts | Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint |
| Goals | 25% reduction in nitrogen, 24% reduction in phosphorus, 20% reduction in sediment |
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What You'll Learn
- Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay dates back to the early 19th century
- Deforestation and industrialisation led to water quality issues
- Nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment are major contributors to poor health
- The Clean Water Act requires states to identify and address polluted waterways
- The EPA has established pollution reduction goals and deadlines
Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay dates back to the early 19th century
The Chesapeake Bay has been on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "`dirty waters` list" for decades, with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution. These pollutants come from fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs. The excess nutrients and sediment lead to murky water and algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching and sustaining underwater bay grasses, creating low levels of dissolved oxygen, which is critical for aquatic life such as fish, crabs, and oysters.
In 2010, under an Executive Order from President Obama, the EPA set limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution for the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. The states are accountable for creating and implementing plans to achieve these limits by 2025. These plans aim to restore the Bay's water quality, sustainable fisheries, vital habitats, stewardship, and climate resiliency.
The Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are also actively working to improve the Bay's health. The Foundation's State of the Bay Report highlights the need for continued support and donations to restore the Bay, rivers, and streams for future generations. Additionally, volunteers can contribute by growing oysters, planting trees, or advocating for a clean Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay TMDL, established by the EPA in 2010, is a comprehensive "pollution diet" that aims to reduce nutrient pollution and sediment in the Bay. It includes pollutant loads and water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, water clarity, underwater bay grasses, and algae levels. Both Phase I and Phase II WIPs outline actions and controls to be implemented by 2025 to achieve applicable water quality standards. The Bay jurisdictions have been working towards restoring the Bay since the establishment of the TMDL, with the goal of improving water quality and removing it from the "dirty waters" list.
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Deforestation and industrialisation led to water quality issues
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, and before European settlement, it was a thriving ecosystem. The arrival of European settlers in the 1600s marked the beginning of significant changes to the Bay's ecosystem due to deforestation and industrialisation, which led to water quality issues.
Deforestation and the construction of towns and ports led to increased sedimentation in the Bay. Soil erosion from construction sites and cleared forests clouded the Bay's waters, smothering aquatic vegetation and blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses.
Farming and agriculture also contributed to water quality issues. As agriculture expanded, runoff from farms carrying nitrogen and phosphorus began to degrade water quality. Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs fuel algae blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the Bay.
Industrialisation and urbanisation along the Bay's shores further intensified water quality issues. Factories and wastewater treatment plants discharged untreated or poorly treated waste into the Bay, contaminating the water with industrial chemicals and pesticides that posed risks to both wildlife and humans.
The Clean Water Act was enacted to address these issues, requiring states to identify polluted waterways and set limits on pollutants. Restoration efforts, such as stormwater management practices and the adoption of best management practices in agriculture, aim to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into the Bay and improve water quality.
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Nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment are major contributors to poor health
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment are the three major contributors to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay. While these elements are essential for the growth of all living organisms in the Bay, excessive amounts degrade the water quality. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus cause unnaturally high levels of algae growth in the water, which blocks sunlight from reaching underwater grasses that serve as food and habitats for many species. When the algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria that consume the oxygen in the water, leading to reduced oxygen levels that can kill off fish, crabs, oysters, and other aquatic life. This process has resulted in the Chesapeake Bay and many of its rivers and streams being listed as "impaired" under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
Nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has multiple sources, with agricultural runoff contributing approximately 60% and polluted runoff being the fastest-growing source. About one-third of nitrogen pollution comes from the air, originating from power plants and vehicle emissions. To reduce nitrogen loads, energy conservation and reduced vehicle usage are important strategies. Additionally, natural filters such as forests, oysters, wetlands, and underwater grasses play a crucial role in mitigating nitrogen levels and need protection and restoration.
Phosphorus, similarly, enters the Bay primarily through agricultural runoff, accounting for about 45% of the total phosphorus pollution. Implementing conservation measures on farms, such as nutrient management plans and installing buffer strips along farm fields, are effective ways to reduce phosphorus levels in the Bay.
Sediment, the third major contributor to the poor health of the Chesapeake Bay, consists of tiny particles of dirt, sand, and clay floating in the water. Excessive sediment turns the water cloudy, blocking sunlight from reaching aquatic grasses. When the sediment settles, it can smother oysters and other bottom-dwelling species. Sediment enters the Bay through various sources, including agricultural runoff, wastewater, septic tank discharges, and air pollution.
The poor health of the Chesapeake Bay is a pressing issue, and efforts are being made to address it. In 2010, under an Executive Order from President Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set scientifically derived limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution for the entire 64,000-square-mile watershed. States are now working on creating and implementing plans to achieve these limits by 2025, aiming to restore the Bay, rivers, and streams for future generations.
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The Clean Water Act requires states to identify and address polluted waterways
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal statute regulating the protection of the nation's waterways in the United States. The CWA requires states to identify polluted waterways and officially list them as "impaired". The Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams are listed as impaired waters due to reduced oxygen levels and pollution that harm aquatic life.
The CWA establishes the framework for regulating pollutant discharges into US waters and sets quality standards for surface waters. It aims to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with implementing pollution control programs and setting wastewater standards for industries under the CWA.
The Act also includes the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which manages permits for point source discharges, such as pipes, ditches, and sewers. The NPDES program requires permit holders to maintain records and report on the amount and nature of discharged waste. It also includes a stormwater program to reduce or eliminate contaminated stormwater discharges.
The CWA identifies three broad categories of pollutants: conventional, toxic, and non-conventional. Conventional pollutants include sanitary wastes from households, businesses, and industries, such as fecal coliform and oils. The Act sets technology-based effluent guidelines for discharge standards and provides funding for the construction of sewage treatment plants.
The Chesapeake Bay has been facing pollution issues for decades, with nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment being the major contributors. These pollutants lead to excessive algae growth, reducing sunlight penetration and oxygen levels in the water, ultimately harming aquatic life and habitats. The CWA plays a crucial role in addressing this pollution and developing plans for restoration.
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The EPA has established pollution reduction goals and deadlines
The degradation of the Chesapeake Bay was identified in a Congressionally funded study in the late 1970s, which was published in the early 1980s. The study found that excess nutrient pollution was the main source of the Bay's degradation. This led to the formation of the Chesapeake Bay Program, which has been working to reduce pollution and restore the ecosystem since 1983.
The Chesapeake Bay Agreement, signed in 1987, set the first numeric goals to reduce pollution and restore the bay ecosystem. The agreement aimed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus entering the bay by 40% by 2000.
In 2010, the EPA established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a federal "pollution diet" that sets limits on the amount of nutrients and sediment that can enter the bay and its tidal rivers. The TMDL is based on scientifically derived limits on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution for the entire 64,000 square miles of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Each of the seven bay jurisdictions has created a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) that outlines specific steps to meet the pollution reduction goals by 2025. These plans will guide local and state bay restoration efforts through the next decade and beyond. The states are accountable for creating and implementing these plans to achieve the pollution limits set by the EPA.
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, signed in 2014 and amended in 2020, established 10 goals and 31 outcomes to restore the bay, its tributaries, and surrounding lands. This agreement further demonstrates the ongoing commitment to reducing pollution and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
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Frequently asked questions
Humans began to negatively impact water quality in the Chesapeake Bay in the first half of the 19th century.
Deforestation and industrialization around the Bay led to water quality issues. Sources of pollutants include agricultural operations, urban and suburban stormwater, wastewater, and airborne contaminants.
Excess nutrients and sediment in the water lead to murky water and algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching and sustaining underwater Bay grasses. This also results in low levels of dissolved oxygen, which is critical for aquatic life such as fish, crabs, and oysters.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a comprehensive "pollution diet" to reduce nutrient pollution to the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and other organizations are also working towards restoring the Bay and its waterways.
