Oxygen dynamics in Chesapeake Bay

de David E. Smith, Merrill Leffler

This book examines the processes that create and sustain anoxia (the absence of oxygen) and hypoxia (the near absence of oxygen) in bottom waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The authors of the book's four chapters discuss major findings and summarize the gradually developing consensus on the implications of these findings for resource management. William C. Boicourt focuses on the physical aspects of Chesapeake Bay in order to distinguish the role and relative importance of circulation processes in the creation of low dissolved oxygen levels. Thomas C. Malone examines the role of water column processes, including the importance and interaction of nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Robert Jonas discusses the significance of microbial populations, while W. Michael Kemp and Walter R. Boynton discuss the role and importance of benthicpelagic coupling on Chesapeake Bay dissolved oxygen.