Toxic Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed (2012)

Description

For many years, scientists and resource managers have recognized that exposure to toxic contaminants can result in adverse effects on biological resources within the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. In 2010, the Chesapeake Bay Program reported that 72% of the Bay’s tidal water segments are fully or partially impaired as a result of the presence of toxic contaminants. In some areas of the Bay watershed, fish consumption advisories have been established as a result of concentrations of toxic contaminants. In recognition of these issues, the Chesapeake Bay Program developed the Toxics 2000 Strategy, in which commitments were made to prevent and reduce inputs of chemical contaminant and to eliminate toxic impacts on living resources that inhabit the Bay and its tributaries. Since 2000, new concerns, such as intersex conditions in fish, have arisen. Although the causes are undetermined, there is increasing evidence that contaminant exposures may play a role. In 2010, the President’s Chesapeake Bay Executive Order (EO 13508) Strategy directed federal agencies to prepare a report summarizing information on the extent and severity of occurrence of toxic contamination in the Bay and its watershed. Findings in this report will be used by the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership to consider whether to adopt new goals for reducing inputs of toxic contaminants entering the Bay. This report also identifies research and monitoring gaps that could be considered to improve the understanding of the extent and severity occurrence of toxic contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.