The Effects of Chemical Contaminants on Aquatic Organisms in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed
Jordan V. Oliver
Richmond Community High School
Class of 2017
In Partial Fulfillment of the Environmental Research Requirement
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2
Thesis Statement
The deposit of metals, pesticides, personal care products, and other chemicals into the
Chesapeake Bay has been shown to cause reproductive and behavioural changes in aquatic organisms. CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS 3
Outline:
The Effects of Chemical Contaminants on Aquatic Organisms in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed
Thesis Statement: The deposit of metals, pesticides, personal care products, and other chemicals into the Chesapeake Bay has been shown to cause reproductive and behavioural changes in aquatic organisms.
I. Chesapeake’s way of life has been neglected and its pollutants endanger all life. A.3/4 of the bay's water is polluted from various sources.
1. Air pollution, agricultural runoff, stormwater, and wastewater.
a. The sources contribute to the determination of the species
(1) All Pollutants builds up and affects water quality.
II. Any poisonous chemicals will have a detrimental effect on the species. A. These pollutants have the potential to wipe out an entire species.
1. Populations of aquatic animals have become scarcer.
a. Exposure leads to an inability to reproduce.
(1) Eggs are failing to hatch as well.
III. Cleanup efforts have proved moderately successful. A. President Obama issues an executive order for maintenance of the bay.
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS 4
1. EPA was forced to set regulations to Decrease sediments and chemicals.
a. Initiation of the cleanup plan seeks 60% restoration by 2017.
(1) The goal is to resolve 100% by 2025.
IV. Waste and fertilization have created dead zones within the bay A. Dead zones are areas in which nothing survives.
1. Algae decomposes and consumes available oxygen in the water.
a. Cloudiness in the water results in psychological effects among life.
(1) Fish travel outside of native habitats for food and risk death.
V. Humans must restore the habitats of the bay. A. Cleanup efforts are seeking the point sources of the bay.
1 New technology is being implemented to combat the pollutants.
a. Regulations of the bay are becoming stricter to help
