What are the main sources of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay?

Hi Jasmine,

About half of the water in the Chesapeake Bay is salt water, coming from the Atlantic Ocean. The other half is fresh water -- half of that fresh water comes from the Susquehanna River, the Bay's largest tributary. For more facts and figures about the Bay, please visit our website: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/facts

Thanks,
Rachel

From which source does most of our water in the watershed come from?
(chesapeake bay watershed)

Hi Margaret,

The three biggest pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay are nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. There are a variety of reasons why these pollutants enter the Bay, including agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution and urban and suburban runoff (e.g. stormwater). Agricultural runoff is the number one source of pollution into the Bay. For more information, please visit our Learn the Issues page on Nutrients (https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/nutrients) or you can view specific charts with this information on ChesapeakeProgress (http://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/clean-water/watershed-implementation-plans).

Thanks,
Rachel

What are the 2 major pollutants causing issues in the Bay?, What is the major source of these sources?

Great, thanks. One more question how do these pollutants harm the dwellers of the bay (plants and animals)? Thanks.