Chesapeake Bay anoxia: origin, development, and significance

Journal Article · Fri Jan 06 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.223.4631.22· OSTI ID:6106037

Biggs, R B; Taft, J L; Cronin, L E; Tyler, M A; Boynton, W R

Anoxia occurs annually in deeper waters of the central portion of the Chesapeake Bay and presently extends from Baltimore to the mouth of the Potomac estuary. This condition, which encompasses some 5 billion cubic meters of water and lasts from May to September, is the result of increased stratification of the water column in early spring, with consequent curtailment of reoxygenation of the bottom waters across the halocline, and benthic decay of organic detritus accumulated from plankton blooms of the previous summer and fall. The Chesapeake Bay anoxia appears to have had significant ecological effects on many marine species, including several of economic importance. 43 references, 7 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6106037
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 223; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANOXIA
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BAYS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
DETRITUS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ELEMENTS
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC MATTER
OXYGEN
PLANKTON
SEAS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
STRATIFICATION
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS