1. Air Pollutants and the Chesapeake Bay
Note to speaker: These are the speakers notes for the presentation. Each slide has a separate speaking notes page. Users may, and are encouraged to modify the presentation for specific presentations. Two other presentations "The Chesapeake Bay: How is it Doing?" and "Environmental Indicators: Measuring Our Progress", are also available through the Bay Program Office. These presentations also come with speaker's notes, and the slides can be combined with this presentation to create a customized presentation. These presentations can be viewed and downloaded at the Bay Program website,
The speaker is encouraged to contact the Bay Program Office for additional information and/or materials for distribution to audience members.
This presentation is a product of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office.
For information contact:
EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office 410 Severn Ave, Suite 109
Annapolis, MD or call YOUR BAY
Please Introduce yourself: your name and organization.
Idea: Begin presentation with “Everyone take a deep breath” “Easy enough to do, right?”
But for millions of Americans breathing is a challenge, every day. Why? Because of air pollution and it’s effects on human health. This is not the only reason why we should care about air quality and air pollution...

2. TODAY’S MESSAGE Therefore
The air pollution we create also pollutes our land and water.
Therefore
The message of this presentation is…
The air pollution we create also pollutes our land and water, therefore in order to clean up our water, we must also clean up our air!
I am going to talk to you about air pollution, not about its affects on air quality BUT about its affects on water quality.
Just as we understand that what we do on the land and to the land affects the Bay, what we put into the air ALSO can affect the Bay’s water quality.
By the end of this presentation I hope that you will understand enough information to explain its importance and educate others.
In order to clean up our water, we must also clean up our air!

3. Why are we concerned about air pollution?
Air quality effects- air pollution can contribute to human health problems and degrade visibility.
Land effects- nitrogen deposition saturates systems and overloads vegetation
Water quality effects- eutrophication caused by the over-fertilization of coastal/fresh waters and acidification of streams and lakes.
There are 3 primary reason why we should be concerned about air pollution, it affects the quality of our air, our land, and our water.
Air pollution
affects air quality. For example, certain pollutants can be inhaled in to the lungs which can lead to respiratory problems.
affects land - for example plants can absorb airborne nitrogen -they need it to grow- but humans are producing more nitrogen than plants can absorb. We are saturating the system and overloading vegetation with nitrogen and chemicals.
affects water quality - for example about 1/3 of the nitrogen that enters the bay comes from air. This contributes to the over fertilization of the bay, causing algae blooms, that block sunlight for underwater Bay grasses and also lead to low or no oxygen conditions and dead zones.

4. Organization of the presentation (in case all of this air talk goes to your head)
Vocabulary for Airheads
Air Pollutants of “Water Quality” Concern
Where air pollutants come from and their impacts
What Has Been Done to Date
The main points I will be covering today include the following:
Vocabulary for airheads (that’s what we call people who work on air quality issues). Includes terms used by people in the air quality profession.
Air pollutants of “Water quality”concern are pollutants found in the water that are known to be emitted into the air.
Where air pollutants come from and their impacts.
What has been done to date by the Chesapeake Bay Program and on a Federal level.
What still needs to be done, including how you/your organization can help.
What Still Needs to be Done

5. Vocabulary for Airheads
Volatilization: to pass off in vapor.
Emissions: pollution being released into the air from sources.
Particulate matter: includes dust, soot and bits of solid materials released into and move around in the air.
Atmospheric Transport: air pollutants traveling short or long distances.
Here are a few words that you will hear during this presentation:
Volatilization: to pass off in vapor, which is similar to evaporation.
Emissions: the release of a substance (usually a gas) into the atmosphere.
Particulate matter: includes dust, soot and other tiny bits of solid materials that are released into and move around in the air.
Atmospheric transport: the movement of pollutants through the air. The distance pollutants travel from the source may be short a long, before they settle on to the earth’s surface.

6. Vocabulary for Airheads
Atmospheric Deposition: the process whereby airborne particles and gases settle to the Earth's surface.
- Wet Deposition: pollutants deposited in rain, fog, and snow).
- Dry Deposition: pollutants deposited with out rain, fog or snow but in the form of airborne particles.
Atmospheric load: total amount of an air pollutant that a water body receives.
Atmospheric deposition, the process whereby airborne particles and gases settle to the Earth’s surface.
The two primary forms are wet and dry, Wet deposition, being deposition in the form of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet) and Dry deposition, is deposition in the form of airborne particles (dust, pollen). Think of dust accumulating on a table.
Atmospheric load is the estimated amount of an air pollutant that enters a water body. It can be expressed as a total load per year or as a rate in pounds per year.
In the next few slides I will explain these words with visuals.

7. Air Pollutants of “Water Quality” Concern
Nitrogen is a nutrient which all things need to grow. However, human activities contribute more nitrogen than an ecosystem needs.
Nitrogen Compounds
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Ammonia/Ammonium (NH3/NH4)
Organic Nitrogen (Org-N)
Even though there are many air pollutants, today I am focusing on two groups of air pollutants that are of concern to thewater quality of the Bay. The first is nitrogen.
Nitrogen is needed for all things to grow. However, human activities contribute more nitrogen than an ecosystem needs, thus creating problems such as aquatic algae blooms. Airborne nitrogen contributes to this OVER fertilization of the Bay.
Examples of nitrogen compounds include
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are released into the air, primarily as a by-product of combustion - the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas.
Ammonia (NH3) is primarily released into the air by volatilization and emissions from industry processes. Every creature including humans, releases wastes which include ammonia. Even sweat releases ammonia.
Organic nitrogen- is released through nitrogen compounds containing carbon. These are organic. Pollen , urea, nicotine and caffeine are examples of organic nitrogen substances.

8. Air Pollutants of “Water Quality” Concern continued...
Chemical contaminants are natural or manmade compounds that have the potential to become toxic:
Chemical contaminants
Metals (lead, cadmium, copper)
Mercury
Organic Contaminants
(pesticides, PCBs, PAHs)
Chemical contaminants are released by human activities but also exist in nature. When they enter Bay waters they can be detrimental to fish, shellfish, and even humans.
Examples include:
Metals such as lead(as found in gasoline before it was removed hence unleaded gas), cadmium, copper, nickel, arsenic, chromium.
Mercury is a metal, but is separated out because it is extensively “human” emitted, it is found in many forms, and there are many sources of it. Including: burning of coal, oil, wood, or natural gas; it’s released when cars are scrapped and melted down, it’s found in light switches, certain light bulbs, & thermometers.
Organic contaminants include pesticides used on crops and landscapes, PCB- polychlorinated biphenyls, for example are used in fire retardant in electrical equipment , and PAH- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a by- product of fossil fuel combustion.
Note: Although PCBs have been banned, they persist in the environment.

9. Where Air Pollutants Come From
What goes up
Stationary and area sources
Mobile sources
Agricultural sources
Natural sources
(With only title slide up:)
Now that I have explained which air pollutants are of water quality concern, we can look at where they come from.
As I discuss this, keep in mind the law of gravity (click), if it goes up , (click)it’s going to come down somewhere.
Air pollution, where does it come from? (click)
Here we break down the sources of air pollution:
stationary and area, mobile, agricultural and natural sources.
must come down

10. Stationary Sources Stationary Source Stationary Sources: do not move
are thought of as large point sources
release relatively consistent quantities of pollutants.
Stationary sources do not move, they have a fixed location. This term generally refers to large emitters such as power plants, chemical & manufacturing facilities, which release relatively consistent quantities of pollutants. Often thought of as smokestack industries. The term point source can be used interchangeably with stationary source.
Stationary Source

11. Area Sources Area sources: smaller clustered stationary sources
individual emissions may be low
collective emissions can be significant.
Area sources also have a fixed location and do not move. The term describes many smaller stationary sources- when clustered together their collective emissions can be significant.
Examples of area sources are dry cleaners, gas stations and other small emitters are typically clustered in urban and suburban areas.
Area Source

12. Mobile Sources Mobile sources: are capable of moving.
can be an “on-road” category.
can be “non-road” or “off-road” category.
Mobile sources move. Although this is a photo of cars, mobile sources include any source capable of moving on the road or off the road. Generally they are thought of as on-road transportation. Some “off-road” sources include gas-powered lawn tools and mowers, farm & construction equipment, recreational vehicles, such as jet skis, snow mobiles, as well as boats, planes & trains. Collectively, mobile sources have a significant contribution to air pollution.
On Road Mobile Sources

13. Agricultural Sources
Agricultural operations can generate emissions of gases, particulate matter, and chemical compounds.
These emissions come from:
animal housing
storage of animal waste
land-applied animal waste
crop production
Crops
Agricultural operations can generate emissions of gases, particulate matter, and chemical compounds. The odor you smell when driving past a chicken farm on the eastern shore is part of the air pollution problem. For example, in confined animal operations, large amounts of ammonia gas, a form of nitrogen, are emitted from the manure produced in animal houses and stored in holding areas. Ammonia also volatilizes from manure after it is land-applied. Additionally, in crop production, the misapplication of fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides can potentially result in aerial drift, from wind..
Livestock

14. Natural Sources Natural sources of air pollutants include: lightning
erupting volcano
weather-caused forest & prairie fires
unconfined wild animals
Natural sources are not caused by people or human related activities. Natural sources include lightning which generates ozone, erupting volcanoes which emit particulate matter and gases; forest and prairie fires which can emit large quantities of pollutants; plants and trees which emit hydrocarbons; and dust storms which can create large amounts of particulate matter. Wild animals in their natural habitat are also considered natural sources of pollution.
Nature

15. Atmospheric Deposition
This is a simplified diagram of atmospheric transport and deposition process.
Air transport is the term used to describe the mechanism by which air pollution moves from an emissions source,here on the left. The sources, those we just discussed, release emissions into the air as gas or particulate matter. The pollutants are influenced by the type and height of the source, the weather conditions, and the presence of other chemicals in the air.
The wind transports the pollutants. If the wind carries the plume of pollution high enough in the air, it may travel for hundreds of miles before being brought to earth. This is known as long-range or long-distance transport.
The air pollutants are deposited by wet or dry deposition to(use pointer on right side of screen) surface waters, or the ground in the watershed, and then move through groundwater or runoff into the Bay.

16. IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Nitrogen
Acid rain
Smog (ozone and visibility)
Eutrophication
Accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems and in drinking water
So far we have discussed air pollutants of water quality concern, where they come from and how they get from the source into the water. I am going to explain some of the effects these pollutants can have on the environment.
The effects of airborne nitrogen can be seen in
Acid Rain (acid deposition)-nitrogen oxides (NOx) are one of the key air pollutants that cause acid deposition, and result in adverse effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Acid deposition increases the acidity of water and soils. Increases in water acidity can impair the ability of certain fish and aquatic life to grow, reproduce, and survive. Increases in soil acidity can impair the ability of some types of trees to grow and resist disease.
Smog- is a catchall term for a collection of pollutants; it is ozone formed by NOx, VOCs, particulate matter, and humidity, all mixed together. Smog reduces how far and how clearly we can see through the air, an effect called visibility reduction or regional haze. General atmospheric conditions are that haze and ozone generally occur at the same time and the mix of the two is called smog.
Eutrophication- is when excess nitrogen and phosphorous cause accelerated growth of algae. The algae then blocks sunlight, needed for submerged aquatic vegetation to grow. Additionally, when the algae die they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process which depletes the water of oxygen.
Accumulation- nitrogen can filter down through the ground into drinking water sources. These nitrates can contaminant the water we drink.

17. IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Chemical Contaminants
Bioaccumulate
Persist
Bind to sediments
Affect biological processes
Chemical contaminants can be toxic to living resources, depending on the form and concentration of the chemical. Whether chemical contimants come from the air sources or point sources their impacts can be one or more of the following:
Bioaccumulation- chemical contaminants can accumulate in plants and animals and cause toxic impacts. Chemical contaminants can increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. Example: an invertebrate, like grass shrimp eats contaminated algae, a small fish eats many contaminated the grass shrimp, a large fish eats many small fish, and humans eat the big fish, which is now loaded with the contaminant.
Persistent- many chemical contaminants do not breakdown or diminish over time.They continue to contaminate the ecosystem.
Chemical contaminants can bind to the sediments on which they deposit. When this happens, the chemical contaminants are moved wherever the sediments are moved. Chemicals can accumluate in aquatic sediments to toxic levels.
Chemical contaminants can impact living resources. For example they can cause reduction in growth, reproductive problems, genetic mutations, weakened immune systems and even death.

18. What Has Been Done to Date to Reduce Air Pollution
A Historical Perspective:
Clean Air Act (1970) and Amendments
To ensure that all Americans have air that is safe to breathe.
Now that you have an idea of what the problem is, I can show what’s been done to clean up the air.
In 1970 the Clean Air Act (CAA) was passed.The primary goal of the CAA is to protect public health and the secondary goal is to protect the environment.

19. What Has Been Done to Date to Reduce Air Pollution
Clean Water Act (1972) and Amendments
- To restore & maintain the chemical, physical, & biological integrity of the nation’s waters.
Then, in 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) was passed. The objective of the CWA is to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters and to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.
Why am I telling you about the CAA & CWA? Because these two acts were written separately and without any consideration of the relationship between air and water.

20. What Has Been Done to Date to Reduce Air Pollution
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments
Great Waters Program
Calls for a program to identify and assess the extent of atmospheric deposition of hazardous air pollutants to water bodies such as the Chesapeake Bay.
However, the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments recognize that air pollution impacts water quality.
This section calls for EPA and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to establish a program to assess, monitor, and research atmospheric deposition of hazardous and other air pollutants such as the Chesapeake Bay. The program is called the Great Waters Program.
To date, however, there has been no comprehensive monitoring network established in Chesapeake Bay to fully determine the role of air deposition in all of the pollutant loadings to the Bay.*
This is all very confusing, even for those of us who work under the CWA and CAA daily. The important thing to remember is that originally the acts were written separately, and that finally, in 1990 the CAA recognized the connection between air and water pollution.
*NOTE: The Bay Program does use a conglomerate of national monitoring networks, established for other reasons.

21. What Has Been Done to Date to Reduce Air Pollution
OVER 20
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES
STATE/DISTRICT
GOVERNMENT:
MD, PA, VA, DC
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CHESAPEAKE BAY CLEANUP
PRIVATE INDUSTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
What has been done to date to reduce air pollution and it’s impacts to the Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Program, a voluntary partnership to restore the Bay, was formed in 1983.
In 1983 VA, MD, PA , the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the US EPA signed a historic agreement that established the Bay Program partnership to protect and restore the Bay’s ecosystem. As you can see, there are many partners working in cooperation with one another to cleanup the Bay, including representatives from air quality divisions.
Everyone has a stake in this.
Note to speaker: the “environmental organization” balloon sweeps into the screen to highlight their contribution to the bay clean up. This “action” can be applied to any of the partnership “balloons”.
UNIVERSITIES & RESEARCHERS
CONCERNED CITIZENS
The Bay Cleanup Involves Partners at All Levels

22. So What Have We Learned About the Bay and Atmospheric Deposition?

23. Raise your hand if you have seen this photo before?
Can anyone tell me what it is? (The Bay watershed)
Here are the jurisdictional lines (MD, VA, PA, DC, DE and WV) of the states that contribute to the Bay watershed. The faint white outline of the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay
This is an example of how in the past we have only taken a 2 dimensional perspective of the watershed. We now are learning how important it is to understand that it is 3 dimensional. And we must consider the air above the watershed.

24. Area of NOx Emissions that contribute Nitrogen Deposition to the Bay and its Watershed
We just saw a picture of the Bay’s watershed. The Bay also has an airshed. Modeling work partially supported by the Air Subcommittee at the Bay Program help define where the pollutants that effect the Bay watershed are coming from.
This is the Bay’s NOx airshed. All of the areas in the blue circle contribute various percentages of the total Nitrogen Oxide deposition to the Bay’s watershed.
NOx emissions from inside the blue circle explains 76% of the oxidized nitrogen deposition. Half of that comes from the Bay Program jurisdictions - DC, VA, MD, & PA.The remaining depositions come from emission sources outside the airshed, the blue circle.
An airsheds will be different for each pollutant. Some pollutants go up and then deposit very quickly. Others go up and are transported for great distances before they deposit. To date the Bay Program has airsheds established for NOx and ammonia.

25. When we look at the types of NOx emission sources that contribute to the nitrogen deposition to the Bay, we see that emissions from mobile and utilities are roughly equal, 35 and 38 percent respectively.
Additionally, we have learned from nitrogen deposition studies that emission sources, in this case cars, trucks, and utilities, close to the Bay affect the water body more than sources far away.

26. consumption advisories
Status of Chemical Contaminant Effects on Living Resources in the Chesapeake Bay’s Tidal Rivers
3 HOT SPOTS
10 WARM SPOTS
8 HEALTHY SPOTS
20 UNKNOWN
21 areas with fish
consumption advisories
due to chemical
contaminants
This is a characterization map. It summarizes the chemical contaminant effects on living resources in the Bay’s tidal rivers, not in the main stem. The map shows where chemical contaminant effects on living resources occur or have the potential to occur.
(Use the legend to show areas). The three hotspots or regions of concern, in red, are the Patapsco, the Anacostia, and the Elizabeth Rivers. These areas are receiving particular attention. Chemical contaminants found in these areas are known to be emitted as air pollutants. In yellow are the areas of emphasis, which have the potential for adverse effects.
Additionally, Bay wide fish consumption advisories have been issued by the states in 21 areas in the Bay watershed due to chemical contaminants that have accumulated in the fish tissue.
NOTE: Besides fish advisories, human health impacts for contaminants, from soil and drinking water are not addresses here.

27. SO WHAT? Right now you may be asking yourself, So what?
So, what can I do?

28. Help YOUR community put the pieces of the puzzle together...
What can you do to reduce air pollution? As an individual, as a group or as a community
Help YOUR community put
the pieces of the puzzle together...
Communicate concerns to your community
& representatives.
Attend town meetings
Educate others to make good decisions.
Raise awareness.
What can you do? You can help others make this air to water connection.
Help your group or community, your neighborhood, your town or your office, your department become educated about air pollution and its effects on water quality. Communicate concerns to your community and to your representatives.
Attend town meetings as a resident or as a representative of your organization.
Educate others to make good decisions daily and when voting.
Raise awareness: you can’t have healthy humans if the environment they live in is ‘sick’ .
Air pollution is important to prevent not just so that we can breathe better air, but also to have cleaner water.

29. What you do daily makes a difference
Conserve electricity.
Recycle AND purchase recycled products.
Use electric lawn mowers and tools instead of gas-
powered ones.
Reduce amounts and types of chemicals you use.
Instead of charcoal lighter fluid use a charcoal
chimney, electric starter, or propane grill.
Reduce the amount of miles you drive.
Carpool, telecommute, or use public transportation.
Purchase fuel efficient automobiles.
Follow state guidelines on emissions testing &
maintain any pollution-control devices.
By choosing to make energy efficient and conservation wise decisions you will not only help improve the health of the Bay, but also ensure your good health and save money.
Conserve electricity, including turning off lights when not in use and keeping your thermostat at 68°F in the winter, & 80°F in the summer.
DID YOU KNOW: If 1% of the nation’s consumers switch to energy efficient appliances it would equal eliminating Greenhouse gas emissions from 1.5 power plants.
Participate in recycling programs AND purchase products that use little packaging and/or made from recycled and recyclable materials.Recycling conserves energy and conserves natural resources.
Consider using an electric lawn mower instead of a gas-powered one and use a rake to collect leaves - it's good exercise too!
Reduce the amounts and types of chemicals you use: consider using natural cleaners in your house, try Integrated Pest Management (IPM) instead of fertilizer or pesticides in your garden, dispose of hazardous waste appropriately.
Reducing the amount of miles you drive, walk ride bikes, scooter or roller blade.
Consider carpooling with colleagues, or telecommuting for work many companies support this effort. Use public transportation when available(metro, buses, light rail, train).
Purchase fuel efficient automobiles:
Follow state guidelines on emissions testing & maintain pollution-control devices.

30. What you do daily makes a difference continued...
Plan car trips carefully.
Turn off your engine when waiting.
Take alternate routes to eliminate idling.
Accelerate gently and evenly, and use your cruise control.
Use vehicle’s flow-through vents instead of air conditioning or open a window.
Check a car’s cooling system thermostat.
Keep car tuned and properly inflate & align tires to save gas & to reduce wear on tires over time.
When driving keep the following in mind. Remember that car’s burn fuel, and everything that burns releases NOx into the air. If you follow these tips your car will use and waste less fuel, saving you money and keeping pollutants out of the air and out of the Bay.
Plan car trips carefully, combine errands to get things done faster and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. FACT: When you first start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine is warm. Even reducing driving just once or twice a week, you'll reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money. The average automobile driver spends about 44 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance.
Turn off your engine if waiting at drive-throughs, draw bridges or to pick someone up (more fuel is wasted when idling than restarting).
Take alternate routes: ones with few stop signs and lights to eliminate idling. Warm up vehicle for one minute
Accelerate gently and evenly, and use your cruise control to maintain a steady speed.
Use vehicle’s flow-through vents instead of air conditioning (which decreases fuel efficiency by 21%), or opening window
Check car’s cooling system thermostat. If this is stuck, it can reduce engine efficiency by 7% ($3.20 a month)
Keep car engine tuned. A poorly tuned car wastes 15% more fuel. Properly inflate & align tires to save gas & to reduce wear on tires over time.

31. The Air pollution we create also pollutes our land and water.
In conclusion...
The Air pollution we create also pollutes our land and water.
Therefore in order to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, we must also clean up the air.
THANK YOU

32. OPTIONAL SLIDES

33. Chesapeake Bay Program Organizational Chart

34. Air’s Role in Bay Program Commitments
1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement- a commitment to reduce annual nutrient loads. Water Quality Goal: “Quantify the impacts and identify the sources of atmospheric inputs on the Bay system."
1992 Amendments: "... incorporate into the Nutrient Reduction Strategies an air deposition component which builds upon the federal Clean Air Act and explores additional implementation opportunities to further reduce airborne sources of nitrogen entering Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”
In 1987, keeping in mind that the Bay Program was only four years old, the 2nd Chesapeake Bay Agreement committed to reducing annual nutrient loads. This included a Water Quality Goal to “Quantify the impacts and identify the sources of atmospheric inputs on the Bay system."
In the 1992 the Amendments to the Bay Agreement : "... incorporate into the Nutrient Reduction Strategies an air deposition component which builds upon the federal Clean Air Act and explores additional implementation opportunities to further reduce airborne sources of nitrogen entering Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”
In 1993 an ad hoc group was started to address atmospheric deposition. This would later become the Air Subcommittee.
(optional slide)

35. Air’s Role in Bay Program Commitments continued...
1994 Basinwide Toxics Reduction & Prevention Strategy
“... establish more complete loadings baselines and source identification for... atmospheric deposition... and set reduction targets from those baselines to be achieved over the next decade.”
1997 Chesapeake Executive Council Directive: “Work toward additional reductions of airborne nitrogen delivered to the Bay and its watershed from all sources including states outside the watershed, and seek improved understanding of how airborne nitrogen affects the Bay and its watershed.”
Again in 1994 and 1997 atmospheric deposition was found to be important enough to include in agreement amendments and directives.
The 1994 Basinwide Toxics Reduction & Prevention Strategy calls to “... establish more complete loadings baselines and source identification for... atmospheric deposition... and set reduction targets from those baselines to be achieved over the next decade.”
In 1997 Chesapeake Executive Council Directive calls to : “Work toward additional reductions of airborne nitrogen delivered to the Bay and its watershed from all sources including states outside the watershed, and seek improved understanding of how airborne nitrogen affects the Bay and its watershed.”
(optional slide)

36. Air’s Role in Bay Program Commitments continued...
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement
“By 2003, assess the effects of airborne nitrogen compounds and chemical contaminants on the Bay ecosystem and help establish reduction goals for these contaminants.” AND
“By Fall of 2000, reevaluate and revise, as necessary, the “Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy” focusing on: Complementing state and federal regulatory programs to go beyond traditional point source controls, including nonpoint sources such as groundwater discharge and atmospheric deposition, by using a watershed-based approach...”.
The most recent inclusion of atmospheric deposition is in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement which states that
“By 2003, assess the effects of airborne nitrogen compounds and chemical contaminants on the Bay ecosystem and help establish reduction goals for these contaminants.”
By Fall of 2000, reevaluate and revise, as necessary, the “Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy” focusing on: Complementing state and federal regulatory programs to go beyond traditional point source controls, including nonpoint sources such as groundwater discharge and atmospheric deposition, by using a watershed-based approach...”
These efforts are supported on a federal level by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Additionally, federal regulations have increased to support a better support of air quality:
In 1990 the CAA was amended to include:
1. Acid rain program, which called for capping sulfur dioxide emissions and reducing NO2 emissions,
2. Hazardous Air pollutant emissions standards (MACT), and
3. Motor vehicle emissions standards (Tier 1 and 2)
(optional slide)

37. Air’s Role in Bay Program Commitments continued...
Toxics 2000 Strategy
“By 2002 develop and begin implementing strategies to prevent or reduce chemical contaminants responsible for fish consumption advisories.”
“By 2005, in impacted areas and areas at risk, reduce by 15% chemicals of concern from 1998 levels by working with publicly and privately owned treatment works and industries (including air sources).
“By 2006,in impacted areas and areas at risk, reduce by 50% chemicals of concern from 2001 levels from priority federal facilities.
The most recent inclusion of atmospheric deposition is in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement which states that
“By 2003, assess the effects of airborne nitrogen compounds and chemical contaminants on the Bay ecosystem and help establish reduction goals for these contaminants.”
By Fall of 2000, reevaluate and revise, as necessary, the “Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy” focusing on: Complementing state and federal regulatory programs to go beyond traditional point source controls, including nonpoint sources such as groundwater discharge and atmospheric deposition, by using a watershed-based approach...”
These efforts are supported on a federal level by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Additionally, federal regulations have increased to support a better support of air quality:
In 1990 the CAA was amended to include:
1. Acid rain program, which called for capping sulfur dioxide emissions and reducing NO2 emissions,
2. Hazardous Air pollutant emissions standards (MACT), and
3. Motor vehicle emissions standards (Tier 1 and 2)
(optional slide)

38. Air’s Role in Bay Program Commitments continued...
“By 2006, in impacted areas and areas at risk, reduce by 50% chemicals of concern from 2001 levels from priority federal facilities.
“By 2010, reduce nonpoint sources of chemicals of concern to the Regions of Concern by at least 30%, through implementation of pollution prevention means and other voluntary nonpoint source programs and through accounting of reductions achieved through regulatory”
The most recent inclusion of atmospheric deposition is in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement which states that
“By 2003, assess the effects of airborne nitrogen compounds and chemical contaminants on the Bay ecosystem and help establish reduction goals for these contaminants.”
By Fall of 2000, reevaluate and revise, as necessary, the “Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy” focusing on: Complementing state and federal regulatory programs to go beyond traditional point source controls, including nonpoint sources such as groundwater discharge and atmospheric deposition, by using a watershed-based approach...”
These efforts are supported on a federal level by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Additionally, federal regulations have increased to support a better support of air quality:
In 1990 the CAA was amended to include:
1. Acid rain program, which called for capping sulfur dioxide emissions and reducing NO2 emissions,
2. Hazardous Air pollutant emissions standards (MACT), and
3. Motor vehicle emissions standards (Tier 1 and 2)
(optional slide)

39. Air Subcommittee Supports
Research
economic studies, environmental effects studies, nitrogen and chemical contaminant studies
Monitoring
Smith Island Wet deposition monitoring site (began in current)
Outreach
Informative publications, workshops, literature syntheses, web site
Modeling
Atmospheric deposition and loadings
The air quality group became officially the Air Subcommittee and developed a mission and objectives which include:
1. Research, monitor, and model atmospheric deposition and loadings and effects
Research: new every year. In 2000 “Factors controlling phase partitioning of Atmospheric N in the Chesapeake Bay Coastal Zone” was the title of the research project. And in 2001 “Assessment of Ammonia Emissions and Deposition from Agricultural Operations and Urban Areas in the Chesapeake Bay Airshed”
Monitoring- Smith Island monitoring site, on the eastern shore, is unique because it is the only wet deposition sight in the country that is essentially “over” water.
Outreach: Shared resources workshops, brochures, the white papers (available as hand outs for presentation or order from CBPO), and presentations like this one
Modeling- Computer models simulate the interactions between humans and the environment. This is based on research and monitoring findings. Computers estimate how the environment will react and improve as we reduce pollutants. RADM (rural atmospheric deposition model) is an example of a model that address atmospheric contributions which supports the Watershed Model, and a Water quality model.
2. Identify atmospheric sources, and reduce pollutants emissions and subsequent loadings from them. For example, the ammonia contribution to the total atmospheric loading is being quantified, & workshop in the future will explore ways to reduce ammonia loadings
3. Communicate the message that air pollution can significantly impact water quality.
(Optional slide)

40. Sources of Nitrogen Loads to the Bay
Other Nonpoint Sources (48%)
Point Source (25%)
Atmospheric (27%)
atmospheric
from land
(21%)
to water (6%)
-Wastewater
Treatment
Plants
-Industry
-Fertilizer and manure
-Septic tanks
-Natural Sources
-Vehicles
-Electric Utilities
Source: Chesapeake Bay Program
Phase 4.3 Watershed Model,
1985 Reference Scenario and
2000 progress scenario
In 1985
Other Nonpoint Sources (48%)
Point Source (20%)
Atmospheric (32%)
atmospheric
from land
(25%)
to water (7%)
-Wastewater
Treatment
Plants
-Industry
-Fertilizer and manure
-Septic tanks
-Natural Sources
-Vehicles
-Electric Utilities ,
In 2000
The Bay Program is helping partners identify what is polluting the Bay and where it is coming from. Keep in mind that these percentages are estimates and the models are only as good as the information that is put into them. Therefore, continuous research and monitoring are necessary to improve and update the models.
Recent CBP model estimates, for the year 2000, indicate that approximately 32 percent of the total nitrogen load to the Bay was from atmospheric deposition. Of that percent, 7 percent falls directly onto the Bay tidal waters and 25 percent comes from the land via runoff and groundwater flow--after the nitrogen has deposited model estimates show the air contribution was 27 percent. This increase of 7%, does not mean that the load from airborne nitrogen increased. Overall, the estimated total load of nitrogen to the Bay decreased in 2000 (point source loads decreased), and as a result, there was a reallocation of the contributions from each source.
Frequently asked questions:
Does the atmospheric deposition to the land equal the load to Bay? No. Approximately 25% of nitrogen that deposits to the land runs off into the Bay.
Does the atmospheric pie include agriculture? No, agriculture is not double counted
How do the Bay Program findings compare with other estimates? The findings agree with other national analysis.