SpringerLink
Log in

General Characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay and Study Area

  • Chapter
Ecological Studies in the Middle Reach of Chesapeake Bay

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies ((COASTAL,volume 23))

  • 47 Accesses

Abstract

The Chesapeake Bay began to form 10 to 20 TYBP (thousand years before present) by the flooding of the Susquehanna River Valley that extended across the present continental shelf. During the last ice age, sea level was approximately 98 m below its present position (Schubel, 1981) and with the melting of glacial ice in North America, 5 to 15 TYBP, sea level began to rise at a rate of 1 m per century, advancing across the continental shelf at a rate of 15 m·yr−1. The rising sea drowned the valleys of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, thereby forming the Chesapeake Bay. Sea level reached the present Bay mouth about 10 TYBP and its deepest penetration, to the mouth of the Sassafras River, 3 TYBP. For the last 3000 years, this rise has slowed and the current slight increase in sea level has been balanced by sediment accumulation (Schubel, 1981).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

eBook
USD 9.99
Price excludes VAT (Brazil)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (Brazil)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BG&E) (1970) Environmental report Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Baltimore MD: BG&E: 64 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs RB (1970) Sources and distribution of suspended sediment in northern Chesapeake Bay. Mar Geol 9:187–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biggs RB (1978) Coastal bays. In: Davis RR Jr (ed) Coastal sedimentary environments. New York: Springer-Verlag: pp 69–99.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Boynton WR, Kemp WM, Lubbers Lm, Wood KV and Keefe CW (1984) Maryland Office of Environmental Programs, Maryland Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program, Ecosystems Processes Component (EPC). Data Rept 1: UMCEES Ref No 84-109. Solomons, MD: Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Univ of MD: 44 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boynton WR, Kemp WM, Garber JH and Barnes J (1986) Maryland Office of Environmental Programs, Maryland Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program, Ecosystem Processes Component (EPC). Level I data report No 3 (July 1985–May 1986). [UMCEES] CBL Ref No 86-56. Solomons, MD: Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Univ of MD: 52 PP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter HH, Regier RJ, Schiemer EW and Michael JA (1978) The summertime vertical distribution of dissolved oxygen at the Calvert Cliffs Generating Station; A physical interpretation. CBI Ref No 78-1 Spec Rept 60. Shady Side, MD: Johns Hopkins: 95 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloern JE, Alpine AE, Cole BE, Wong RLJ, Arthur JF and Ball MD (1983) River discharge controls phytoplankton dynamics in the northern San Francisco Bay estuary. Est Coastal Shelf Sci 16:415–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coutant CC (1985) Striped bass temperature and dissolved oxygen: A speculative hypothesis. Trans Amer Fish Soc 114:31–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis HE, Webster DW and Krantz GE (1981) Maryland oyster spat survey, fall 1980. Maryland Sea Grant. College Park, MD: Tech Rept UM-SG-TS-81-03: 22 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Festa JF and Hansen DV (1978) Turbidity maxima in partially mixed estuaries: A two-dimensional numerical model. Est Coastal Mar Sci 7:347–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flemer DA, Mackiernan GB, Nehlsen W and Tippie VK (1983) Chesapeake Bay: A profile of environmental change. Philadelphia, PA: US EPA: 200 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gavrilas M and Wieland M (1985) Wind flows and dispersion conditions at Calvert Cliffs. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Gas and Electric Co, Environmental Programs: 50 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinle DR (1974) An alternate grazing hypothesis for the Patuxent estuary. Chesapeake Sci 15:146–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland AF, Hiegel MH, Shaughnessy AT, Stroup CF and Ross EA (1984) Long-term benthic monitoring programs near the Morgantown and Calvert Cliffs power plants — third annual report (2 volumes, in draft). Columbia, MD: Martin Marietta Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland AF, Hiegel MH, Koontz LE, Johnson GF and Polgar TT (1981) Interim report for long-term benthic monitoring programs in the vicinities of the Morgantown and Calvert Cliffs power plants. Rept PPSP-CC-81-2. Baltimore, MD: Power Plant Siting Prog: 35 PP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krantz GE and Davis HA (1983) Maryland oyster spat survey fall 1982. Maryland Sea Grant. College Park, MD: Tech Rept UM-SG-TS-83-01: 14 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacy GK (1979) Thermal plume studies in the vicinity of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant 1977-1978. Rept No 79-8F: prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program. PA: Acad of Nat Sci of Phila: 290 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lippson A J (1973) The Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins: 55 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackiernan GB, Flemer DA, Nehlsen W and Tippie VK (1983) State of the Bay. In: Tippie VK (ed) Chesapeake Bay: A framework for action. Philadelphia, PA: US EPA: pp 15–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone TC, Kemp WM, Ducklow HW, Boynton WR, Tuttle JH and Jonas RB (1986) Lateral variation in the production and fate of phytoplankton in a partially stratified estuary. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 32:149–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin Marietta Corporation (1976a) Calvert Cliffs chemical thermometer thermal plume study. PPMP Technical Note 76-1, prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program: Baltimore, MD: Martin Marietta Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin Marietta Corporation (1976b) Calvert Cliffs thermal plume survey September and November 1975. PPMP Technical Note 76-2, prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program: Baltimore, MD: Martin Marietta Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin Marietta Corporation (1976c) Calvert Cliffs thermal plume survey March 1976 PPMP Technical Note 76-4, prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program: Baltimore, MD: Martin Marietta Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin Marietta Corporation (1980) Summary of findings: Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant aquatic monitoring program (2 vols). Rept PPSP-CC-80-2: Baltimore, MD: Power Plant Siting Prog: Martin Marietta Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mountford NK, Holland AF and Mihursky JA (1977) Identifications and description of macrobenthic communities in the Calvert Cliffs region of the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Sci 18:360–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1974-1979a) Maryland landings 1973-1978. Current Fisheries Statistics No 6414, 6714, 6914, 7214, 7512 and 7717. Washington DC: US Dept Commerce.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1974–1979b) Virginia landings 1973–1978. Current Fisheries Statistics No 6415, 6715, 6915, 7215, 7513 and 7718. Washington DC: US Dept Commerce.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1980) Maryland landings 1979. Current Fisheries Statistics No 8014. Washington DC: US Dept Commerce.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1981) Virginia landings 1979. Current Fisheries Statistics No 8015. Washington DC: US Dept Commerce.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1982–1984) Preliminary commercial fishery landings by state (Maryland and Virginia). Washington DC: US Dept Commerce: Nat Mar Fish Serv Resour Stat Div.

    Google Scholar 

  • Officer CB, Biggs RB, Taft JL, Cronin LE, Tyler MA and Boynton WR (1984) Chesapeake Bay anoxia: Origin, development and significance. Science 223:22–27.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orth RJ and Moore KA (1983) Chesapeake Bay: An unprecedented decline in submerged aquatic vegetation. Science 222:51–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Price KS, Flemer DA, Taft JL, Mackiernan GB, Nehlsen W, Biggs RB, Burger NH and Blaylock DA (1985) Nutrient enrichment of Chesapeake Bay and its impact on the habitat of striped bass: A speculative hypothesis. Trans Amer Fish Soc 114:97–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard DW (1955) Estuarine circulation patterns. Proc Am Soc Civil Engrs 81:717/1–717/11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard DW (1967) Observations of circulation in coastal plain estuaries. In: Lauff G (ed) Estuaries. Washington DC: Amer Assoc Advancement Sci: pp 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubel JR (1968) Turbidity maximum of the northern Chesapeake Bay. Science 161:1013–1015.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schubel JR (1981) The living Chesapeake. Baltimore MD: Johns Hopkins: 113 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubel JR and Carter HH (1977) Suspended sediment budget for Chesapeake Bay. In: Wiley M (ed) Estuarine processes, Vol II. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubel JR and Hirschberg DJ (1977) Pb210-determined sedimentation rate and accumulation of metals in sediments at a station in Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Sci 18:379–382.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seliger HH, Boggs JA and Biggley WH (1985) Catastrophic anoxia in the Chesapeake Bay in 1984. Science 228:70–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellner KG (1983) Plankton productivity and biomass in a tributary of the upper Chesapeake Bay, I: Importance of size-fractionated phytoplankton productivity biomass and species composition in carbon export. Est Coastal Shelf Sci 17:197–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellner KG and Horwitz RJ (1984) Plankton interactions in the Patuxent River estuary: Field studies of community composition and diversity with a deterministic model of the effects of Zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton carbon production of fecal matter sediment oxygen demand and nutrient regeneration. Rept No 82-14F: PA: Acad Nat Sci Phila:119 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart RE (1962) Waterfowl populations in the upper Chesapeake region. Special scientific report Wildlife No 65: US Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taft JL, Taylor WR, Hartwig EO and Loftus R (1980) Seasonal oxygen depletion in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 3:242–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuttle J, Malone T, Jonas R, Ducklow H and Cargo D (1985) Nutrient-dissolved oxygen dynamics Roles of phytoplankton and microheterotrophs under summer conditions. [UMCEES] CBL 85-39. Solomons, MD: Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Univ MD: 50 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells HW Jr, Katsanos SJ and Flanigan FH (1983) An introduction to Chesapeake Bay. In: Tippie VK (ed) Chesapeake Bay: A framework for action. PA: US EPA, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeger S (1977) Thermal plume studies in the vicinity of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant August 1977. Rept No 77-38, prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program. PA: Acad Nat Sci Phila: 52 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeger S (1978) Thermal plume studies in the vicinity of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant November 1977 Rept No 78-13, prepared for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program. PA: Acad Nat Sci Phila: 51 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Kevin G. Sellner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Betty Ann Peters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, P.O. Box 369, Dauphin Island, AL, 36528, USA

    Kenneth L. Heck Jr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sellner, K.G., Peters, B.A. (1987). General Characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay and Study Area. In: Heck, K.L. (eds) Ecological Studies in the Middle Reach of Chesapeake Bay. Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies, vol 23. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6355-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6355-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-96668-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-6355-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation