Chesapeake Bay Dead Zones

This is a very interesting article from the Miami Herald about how different causes are having an effect on the Chesapeake Bay. Some scientists now think winds may also be having an effect on dead zones in the bay. Essentially what happens is that some of the deeper salt water does not receive enough oxygen. They now think that winds may have more to do with than tides. Some of this is because of the nutrient rich waters from the tributary rivers that contain an excess of fertilizers. This then causes algae blooms on the bay which block sunlight from reaching below. A new grant will allow scientists to better monitor the bay for a variety of conditions to better make recommendations.

Permeable Walkways and Driveways

Water runoff after a rain or snow storm is area where a lot of improvements can be made. If some of that water is absorbed into the ground instead of running down the road it has many benefits. For instance the water going through the ground will be purified through the dirt as opposed to the water that runs down a driveway through oil and other chemicals. It also helps to better balance the water table and promote a healthy eco system. There are a couple of alternatives out there that have become more popular in recent years.