How Human Activities Affect the Chesapeake Bay

Human activities significantly impact the Chesapeake Bay, both positively and negatively:

Negative Impacts

• Agriculture: Fertilizer/manure runoff causes nutrient pollution → algal blooms → oxygen depletion → dead zones
• Urbanization: Impervious surfaces increase stormwater runoff carrying sediment, nutrients, toxics
• Industry: Air/water emissions of heavy metals, chemicals harm aquatic life and human health
• Recreation: Boating/fishing can pollute and disturb habitats if unmanaged
• Climate Change: Rising temps, altered precipitation, intense storms affect water quality, sea levels, species distribution

Positive Actions

Sustainable practices—nutrient management, green infrastructure, pollution controls, habitat restoration—can mitigate damage and restore the Bay's health.