1. Air pollution is the presence of substances- such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, lead and sulfur dioxide- in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of living beings, or damaging to the climate or other materials. Some causes of air pollution are burning of Fossil Fuels, aricultural Activities and waste in landfills
2. Air pollution from from power plants, vehicle exhaust, and other man-made causes have caused great affects to Chesapeake bay. Firstly, nitrogen from the air enters the Bay via the rain, which contribute to algal blooms. These algal blooms absorb oxygen from the water and create dead zones that cannot sustain marine animal or plant life.
Secondly, pollution from the power plants in the area- consisting mainly of the toxic chemical mercury- pose risk to anglers in the area. These contaminants can bind to sediment and enter bodies of small, bottom-dwelling organisms like worms, clams or crustaceans. Through a process known as bioaccumulation, fish that consume contaminated organisms can accumulate these toxins in their own tissue. Anglers are warned to limit their consumption of certain fish from the Bay due to potentially harmful levels of the chemical.
Lastly, exposure to air pollution will affect those living in, and visiting, the Bay. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, as well as long-term health effects including heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs
3. The Chesapeake Bay is arguably the most studied large body of water on earth. Forty years of intense scientific investigation by leading estuarine scientists have identified why the Chesapeake is degraded and how to fix it. No other water body in the world can boast this level of scientific understanding.
The first action being taken to protect the bay from air pollution is by planting more plant life in the area. Through a process called attenuation, forests can reduce the amount of pollutants in the air. The plants roots and leaves and forest soils absorb and trap airborne pollutants. They can capture more than 85 percent of the nitrogen that falls onto them from the air, keeping it out of the bay.
Secondly people are changing the way they travel around and near the Bay. To lower air pollution people consider learning how to drive the Bay-friendly way; walk bike, take public transport and carpool when possible. They also try to use electric or manual lawn mowers and yard tools instead of gas-powered machines.
Thirdly, the Environmental protection agency developed the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load in 2010 (TMDL). It set limits on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment that can enter the Bay and its tidal rivers to meet water quality goals. Ever since, the EPA has kept track on the progress of the Chesapeake Bays health.
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In planting more trees and plants near the Chesapeake Bay area, it will prevent some sediment and pollutants entering the water. The plants roots and leaves and forest soils absorb and trap airborne pollutants. They can capture more than 85 percent of the nitrogen that falls onto them from the air, keeping it out of the bay through attenuation.
Secondly by reducing the amount of pollutants entering the air via petrol powered machines and cars, the amount of pollutants entering the waters will decrease. Each year, more than 85 million pounds of nitrogen pollution—about one-third of the Bay's total yearly load—comes from air pollution, and with 18 million people living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, you can imagine how much difference cutting down on transport generated pollution would make.
Finally setting the TMDL will aid in preventing the amount of pollutants in the water reaching a high concentration and hopefully reduce the amount of algal blooms and dead zones within the bay.
5. The bay provides habitat for many organisms. Amongst forests, rivers and streams, shallow waters, beaches and tidal flats, aquatic reefs, wetlands and waters- the bay supports life such as crabs, fish, birds, worms, molluscs, corals, aquatic plants, trees and shrubbery and amphibians.
6. There are many opportunities for recreation in Chesapeake Bay. For example hiking, bike riding, hunting, bird watching, boating, fossil hunting, fishing and golfing.
7. The Chesapeake Bay provides job opportunities for scientists in terms of studying the waters and the ecosystems existing within it, those wishing to attract tourists through the marketing of outdoor activities, those who work in the nearby native American or maritime museums and those selling seafood such as fishermen
