An Introduction
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64,000 square miles!
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Remember the 6 states it covers:
-VA
-MD
-West VA
-PA
-NY
-DE
 18
trillion!!

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Too much of these nutrients cause excessive
phytoplankton growth and decompostition.

This leads to anthropogenic eutrophication.

This drainage system covers the largest area of
the bay.

52% of the bay’s freshwater comes from this
river.

The major polluter of this river, thus the
Chesapeake Bay, is the Nuclear Power Station
located at the headwaters of the Susquehanna.

The movement of water transports plankton,
fish eggs, shellfish larvae, sediment, minerals,
nutrients and toxins throughout the bay.

The circulation also moves the oxygen around as
well as the freshwater coming into the estuary.

99% of the pollutants that enter the bay STAY in
the bay forever!

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
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
Industrial Wastes
Treated Sewage
Nutrients
Hydrocarbons
Chlorine

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
They are important for many reasons:
1. put oxygen into the water
2. provide habitats
3. provide food
4. hold sediment down
5. provide nursery grounds


They are considered the barometers of the
health of the bay.

They are the ROOT cause of all of the
problems in the bay.

There would be no pollution without
people.