What Types of Air Pollution Affect the Chesapeake Bay?
Nitrogen — a type of nutrient — and chemical contaminants are two pollutants that are emitted into the air and are of concern to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. These air pollutants can become water pollutants when they either fall onto the water itself or fall onto the land and are carried by stormwater runoff to the nearest waterway. Nitrogen Scientists estimate that approximately one-third of the nitrogen that reaches the Chesapeake Bay comes from air deposition. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia and organic nitrogen are three specific nitrogen compounds that are released into the air and can harm the Bay. • Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are primarily released into the air as a by-product of combustion (the burning of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal). NOx accounts for approximately 60 percent of the inorganic airborne nitrogen that winds up in the Bay. • Ammonia is primarily released into the air through evaporation and emissions from industry processes. Every living creature — including
