\"Saving the bay\" was the title of an article that appeared in Daily Press, our
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Question
"Saving the bay" was the title of an article that appeared in Daily Press, our local paper, a couple of years ago. Another article titled "What's Killing the Chesapeake Bay?" appeared in the Washington Post also a few years ago. Both of these articles were referring to the many years of pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. Considering that the Chesapeake Bay watershed covers a wide geographical area (from New York to Virginia), provide a detailed discussion of the nature (source) of the Bay pollution problem. Include in your discussion "point source" and "non-point source" pollution.Explanation / Answer
The gray funnel of Chesapeake Bay:
The landscape in Chesapeake Bay is not a natural filter. The domestic and automobile waste enters the v shaped gutter and makes it way through the nearby streams and ultimately polluting the water and therby reducing the water quality. If the water is not treated properly it amy adversely affect people and other organisms.
Nutrient pollution in Chesapeake Bay:
As forests and wetlands has been replaced by settlements to adjust with the growing population, the nitrogen and phosphorus content the bay area has been incresed widely. These formation of excess nitrogen and phosphorus was because of 13,6 million people's activities.This excess nutrients is not stable and affects the aquatic life in streams and other water bodies.
Point sources of pollution:
Nitrogen and phosphorus are the main point sources of pollution which are entering the chesapeake bay. The sources are from polluted run offs. The phosphorus and nitrogen contents in the pollution are 40 and 50 % repectively.
Non- Point sources of pollution:
Pathogens caused due to the polluted runoffs affects the water quality and spreads diseases.Toxic substances present in the runoffs affects organism's health. The toxic substances are metals, pesticides, household chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, battery acid, roadway salt and other pollutants.
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