Assessment of sewage and septic derived nitrogen in the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers

An assessment of nitrogen sources to the Choptank and Patuxent River (including Island Creek), was conducted during the summer of 2003. Results demonstrated that both rivers were compromised with sewage derived nutrients. An Ecosystem Health Index for defined reporting regions was calculated from a variety of ecosystem heath parameters and then converted to a report card grade from A+ to D- and F for fail (Table 1). This style of ecosystem health report card is a useful monitoring tool which can help focus management and research efforts by providing rapid and effective feedback on the health of Chesapeake Bay.

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