Three major phosphorus sources have contributed to the degradation of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay: land driven phosphorus, mobilized phosphorus from bay sediments and imported phosphorus from the ocean. Sufficient information about of different land driven phosphorus sources is not available. This research collects samples from natural sources (soils, sediments), legacy phosphorus (stores in soils and catchments), agricultural related sources (fertilizers and manures) and wastewater sources. Analyzing samples collected from lands, river waters and the bay that retain these sources generates an isotope database to interpret data obtained from the bay.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents, NGOs, general public, decisions makers