Nitrogen and Phosphorous Nitrogen and Phosphorous As forests surrounding the Chesapeake Bay were gradually replaced by farms, cities, and suburbs, the amount of nutrients entering the Bay increased tremendously. While small amounts of nutrients are vital to all life, excessive amounts can be damaging.
Forests contribute lower amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous to waterways than do other land uses.
The primary nutrients polluting the Chesapeake Bay are nitrogen and phosphorous. High amounts of these nutrients increase the growth of algae. Algae becomes so abundant that the color of the water turns brownish or greenish. Sunlight is blocked from reaching other plants. When the algae die and decompose, oxygen dissolved in the water is used.