August 1999 Maryland status and trends information is calculated from data collected as part of the DNR's Chesapeake Bay Water and Habitat Quality Monitoring Program.
Trends are a measure of how the system has been changing over time, either improving or worsening.
Total phosphorus is measured directly. Abundance of algae is estimated by measuring active chlorophyll a . Active chlorophyll a from surface samples only is used in this analysis. No chlorophyll measurements are taken in non-tidal areas. Summer bottom dissolved oxygen is measured directly.