Recent data reveals fluctuating levels of hypoxia, or low-oxygen waters, in the Chesapeake Bay during the 2024 monitoring season. The joint monitoring effort between Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, in collaboration with Old Dominion University, has recorded these variations in oxygen levels through May to late July.
The collected data indicates an initial surge in hypoxic conditions in early June, with oxygen concentrations falling below 2 milligrams per liter. This surge was higher than the historical 39-year average for the region. However, by late June, these levels had improved, showing a decrease in hypoxic volume below the average from previous years.
Here are the summarized findings from the 2024 monitoring cruises across the Chesapeake Bay mainstem, which includes both Maryland and Virginia:
- May: Hypoxia was recorded at 0.42 cubic kilometers, compared to an average of 0.18, marking it as the 35th most hypoxic year out of 40.
- Early June: Hypoxia peaked at 1.03 cubic kilometers, significantly above the average of 0.90, ranking it 24th out of 36.
- Late June: The volume dropped to 0.76 cubic kilometers, well below the 1.27 average, and the 9th least hypoxic in 34 years.
- Early July: Hypoxia rose slightly to 1.20 cubic kilometers, still below the average of 1.59, making it the 11th least out of 39 years.
- Late July: Continued improvements were noted with a hypoxia volume of 0.82 cubic kilometers, compared to an average of 1.62, ranking 5th out of 39 years.
These results are particularly noteworthy as they challenge the seasonal forecast released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program and allied research groups, which had predicted a 4% increase in hypoxic volume over the 39-year average due to higher nitrogen loads from increased river flows.
Hypoxia in bodies of water like the Chesapeake Bay can significantly impact marine life, including crabs, fish, and oysters, which all require sufficient oxygen to survive. Understanding the fluctuations in oxygen levels is crucial for assessing potential impacts on the bay's ecosystem.
Efforts to mitigate this issue include reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which are primary contributors to algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen levels when they decompose. These efforts are part of ongoing environmental management strategies implemented by local departments and supported by data collection from state programs and federal initiatives.
The monitoring for hypoxia will continue through October, with updates to be provided on the Eyes on the Bay website, which also hosts detailed methodology for hypoxic volume calculations and additional water quality data from Maryland.
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