To the left the Chesapeake Bay, it's a huge breading ground for for many aquatic animals but the one animal species that could be greatly affected by water quality in the bay are oysters. If the water is above 74 degrees, salinity rates are too low, there are dead zones, sedimentation, dermo (affects young oysters) or MSX (affects all ages of oysters) that could cause oysters to become very sick and possibly die.
Oysters are very important to the bay because they provide habitats, food, and they clean the water. If the water were to be negatively affected, all aquatic life would fail and starting with the oysters, everything else would go downhill.
In order to make sure the bay stays healthy, the PH, salinity levels, dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, amount of sediment levels & turbidity should be frequently measured and monitored.
Salinity of the Chesapeake Bay to the right.
