Benthic Community

Benthic animals, or those that live on the bay bottom, are faring poorly in creeks and better in the open bays.  Below is a map showing the Mid-Atlantic benthic index of biotic integrity average results from 2000 and 2001.

Higher contaminant levels were restricted to localized areas in tributaries in the northern bays and in Newport Creek.  Below is a map of sediment toxicity based on mean Apparent Effects Threshold (AET) values for samples collected in 2000.

Overall, little toxicity was observed in the Coastal Bays.  One sample from Isle of Wight Bay and another from Chincoteague Bay showed evidence of toxicity in 2000 but in 2001 these sites showed no evidence of toxicity.

Return to the Maryland DNR Home Page.
Your opinion counts! Take a survey!