Chesapeake Bay Water Pollution And Restoration

Chesapeake Bay Water Pollution And Restoration

Chesapeake Bay Water Pollution and Restoration Outline
(1,750 to 2,100 words)

    I. Detailed description of the problem

        Water pollution makes most people think of factories and industries dumping toxic chemicals and other contaminants into the Chesapeake Bay.   In reality, the main pollutants are excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous.   These nutrients enter our waterways from a variety of sources and cause an explosion of algae growth and sediment.   Airborne nitrogen reaches the land through air deposition and chemical contaminants.   An overabundance of suspended sediment from erosion is the main factor for water stress and poor aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

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Image courtesy of Ben Longstaff/IAN, UMCES

    II. Nonliving and living factors that contribute to or are affected by the problem

        a. Nutrients

          Nutrients are chemicals (nitrogen and phosphorous) that plants and animals need to grow and survive.   They come from human sources, such as seven identifiable wastewater treatment plants throughout the bay area and agricultural runoff from the land, as well as a number of natural sources, including plant, agricultural runoff, wild animal waste and the atmosphere. Nutrients have always been part of the ecosystem, but with human habitation, and the replacement of wetlands and natural forest vegetation with farms and housing developments, excessive amounts of nutrients have created harmful conditions to marine life.

        b. Sediments

          Land and stream bank erosion are watershed sources of sediment.   This occurs when land is cleared for agriculture and development purposes.   Shoreline erosion is the result of tidal sources of sediment and occurs when shoreline vegetation is removed leaving nothing to soften the wave action against the shoreline.   Loose particles of clay, silt and sand make up sediment and are created from the weathering of rocks and soil...