Chesapeake Bay Program - A Watershed Partnership

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Air and Water Pollution

When many of us think of pollution, we envision toxic chemicals being dumped by factories and industries into a local waterway. In reality, excess amounts of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus are the main pollutants affecting the Bay and its tributaries. Nutrients enter the Bay from a variety of human and natural sources, worsening water quality by fueling the growth of algae blooms. Air deposition is a major pathway for airborne nitrogen to reach the land and the water. Chemical contaminants and excess suspended sediment from erosion are also contributors to poor water quality and stress on aquatic life.

Sections

Nutrients

When too many nutrients make their way into local rivers, streams and the Bay, they can create conditions that are harmful for blue crabs, bay grasses and other underwater life. Excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, two types of nutrients, are the main cause of the Bay's poor health.

Sediments

Sediment is made up of loose particles of clay, silt and sand. In excess, sediment clouds the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Learn where sediment comes from and why too much of it is bad for the Bay's fish, oysters and bay grasses.

Chemical Contaminants

Chemical contaminants are chemicals or compounds that can potentially harm humans, wildlife and aquatic life. Learn what types of toxic chemicals are found in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and how toxins get into our water and move through the food web.

Air Pollution

Air pollution affects not only the quality of the air we breathe, but also the land and the water. In particular, airborne nitrogen is a major contributor to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Learn how air pollution can become water pollution.