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Chesapeake Bay

Explore the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the US, known for its fishing industry, blue crabs, oysters, clams, and striped bass. However, the bay is facing challenges with excess nutrients causing algal blooms and a decrease in oxygen levels. Discover the causes, consequences, and efforts to restore the bay's health.

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Chesapeake Bay

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  1. Chesapeake Bay

  2. Largest estuary in the United States

  3. Widely Known • Fishing Industry of • Blue Crab • Oysters • Clams • Striped Bass • No other American estuary has a higher yield

  4. The Bay Is Not Healthy • Notice the green throughout the bay.

  5. Causes of algal blooms • Excess nutrients in the water leads to an explosion of algae • the availability of nitrogen is no longer a limiting factor holding their growth in check.

  6. What causes the excess nutrients? • Rivers and tributaries are bringing the nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay. • Farming • Fertilizers • Animal waste – 650 million lbs of chicken manure each year in just MD. • Sewage

  7. The problem of excess nutrients and algae Fish kill caused by nutrient build-up, Nanticoke River, Chesapeake Bay, 1992 • Algae die  detritus • Detritus decomposed by microbes • Microbes explode • They have a lot of detritus to eat • Microbes use oxygen • Use up the oxygen in the water. (Now low dissolved oxygen) • Less oxygen  kills fish and other organisms that need the oxygen to live • Dead zone

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