How Nitrogen Enters the Chesapeake Bay

Nitrogen reaches the Chesapeake Bay through three primary pathways:

Agricultural Runoff

• Excess nitrogen fertilizers wash off fields before crops absorb them.
• Poorly managed livestock manure contaminates surface and groundwater.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharge

• Human sewage contains ammonia and urea; inadequately treated effluent releases nitrogen.

Atmospheric Deposition

• Nitrogen oxides from vehicles, power plants, and industry travel on wind and deposit on land and water.