Reducing atmospheric nitrogen


Reductions in atmospheric nitrogen deposition are diRECTly linked to water quality improvements

Almost 1/3 of the nitrogen load to the Chesapeake Bay comes from atmospheric deposition. This atmospheric nitrogen comes primarily from vehicle and power plant emissions.

The passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment’s Acid Rain Program to control vehicle and power plant emissions, as well as technological advances, have made great strides in reducing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition to the Bay.

Air pollution from today’s on-road vehicles carries significant risks for human health and the environment.
Air pollution from today’s on-road vehicles carries significant risks for human health and the environment.
Research directly linked decreases in atmospheric deposition to reductions in nitrate yields and concentrations in surface water. Data from Dr. Keith Eshleman, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
Research directly linked decreases in atmospheric deposition to reductions in nitrate yields and concentrations in surface water. Data from Dr. Keith Eshleman, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.