Nitrate Levels
Nutrient levels in the Severn River are extremely important in understanding the health of the waterway. Nitates are one of the nutrients studied. Nitates can be found in fertilizers and decomposed organic matter. It enters into the Severn River through runoff. Nitrates are needed for aquatic plants to grow, however, too many nitrates in a waterway can lead to the accelerated growth of plant life. As plants begin to grow, they block sunlight from other aquatic plants and organisms. Additionally, an overgrowth of plants can lead to eutrophication which results in a reduction of dissolved oxygen. Nitrates levels are recorded in mg/L. View the graph below for historical phosphate level trends. Feel free to use the information below to see the most recent water phosphate level.
HISTORICAL
TRENDS
BASELINES/MAX LEVELS
Max level: 6 mg/L
DESCRIPTION OF BASELINES: This baseline is retrieved from the EPA. The max level represents the maximum level of nutrients that is considered acceptable for the Severn River. See the link below for more information about nutrient levels.
Source (EPA):
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/totalnitrogen.pdfLOCATION OF DATA COLLECTION:
COORDINATES: (39.00764, -76.50350)
DEPTH: 0.5 meters