Records 1-20 of 43
Contaminants in Chesapeake Bay Sediments 1984-1991
Publication date: 5/1/1996 | Type of document: Report
The primary objectives of this report are to describe the spatial patterns in the distribution of sediment chemical contaminants in Chesapeake Bay and to compare sediment chemical contaminant concentrations in Chesapeake Bay to sediment quality guidelines in order to identify areas where sediment chemical contaminants may adversely impact
Sediment in Chesapeake Bay and Management Issues: Tidal Erosion Processes
(232 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 5/1/2005 | Type of document: Report
Sediment is the third biggest pollutant to the Bay and its tributaries. Tidal sediment comprises approximately 57% of the sediment load to the Bay. Excess sediment is a key contributor to degraded water clarity and damages critical habitats (e.g. SAV beds and oyster bars) and living resources (shellfish, finfish and waterfowl). This report provides information on important tidal sediment processes and factors to consider before undertaking shoreline management actions to reduce tidal sediment loads. It provides maps and other general data to help target problem areas and identify valuable living resources where sediment reduction activities could help improve water clarity.
An Introduction to Sedimentsheds: Sediment and Its Relationship to Chesapeake Bay Water Clarity
(768 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 5/1/2007 | Type of document: Report
This report sets the foundation for developing sedimentsheds to help determine the source of sediment that is contributing to water clarity violations in a SAV grow zone to assist with the 2010 sediment reallocation process. The report details the history of the 2003 Sediment Cap Load Allocations, describes sediment sources and sinks, and presents an exploratory analysis of Chesapeake Bay wide water quality monitoring data with the purpose of prioritizing areas with poor water clarity and high inorganic solids (sediment) in the water column.
Tidal Sediment Yield Estimate Methodology in Virginia for the Chesapeake Bay Program Water Quality Model
(1.07 MB)
Publication date: 6/1/2009 | Type of document: Report
Water quality in Chesapeake Bay has degraded over the past 50 years with respect to oxygen depletion and reduced light attenuation. While the causes are numerous, sediment resuspension from wave and tidal action cloud the water column and reduce light attenuation thereby negatively affecting submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds. Sediments on the Bay bottom come from upland runoff and shoreline erosion, each of which has significant contributions to the loading of sediments into estuary. The purpose of this report is to assess the present methods used to calculate sediment loading from tidal shoreline erosion that is input to the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Model (WQM).
Best Management Practices for Sediment Control and Water Clarity Enhancement
(789 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 10/1/2006 | Type of document: Report
The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) hosted a workshop in Annapolis, Maryland on February 24-25, 2003, at which sediment experts shared information related to sediment best management practices (BMPs). The information presented on selected BMPs has been summarized in this document, and is intended to assist the CBPs Sediment Workgroup (SedWG) and others as they move to the next generation of sediment controls and other practices to improve water clarity in riverine, tidal and near shore areas. In order to provide a thorough summary of each BMP to the workgroup, experts from within the CBP community have contributed to the presenters information. Each final BMP summary has received the approval ...
A Pilot Study for Ambient Toxicity Testing in Chesapeake Bay, Year 4 Report
Publication date: 4/1/1997 | Type of document: Report
Designed to evaluate ambient toxicity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed using a battery of water column and sediment toxicity tests. Toxicity of ambient estuarine water and sediment was evaluated during the fall of 1994 at six stations in Baltimore Harbor (Patapsco River) and two stations each in the Sassafras, Magothy and Severn Rivers.