Scientists Project Better Oxygen Levels in Bay

Lower oxygen levels are projected to affect less of the Chesapeake Bay this year.

The Associated Press reports that scientists expect a smaller-than-normal "dead zone" in the bay. Low oxygen areas are typically caused by nutrient pollution from fertilizer runoff, wastewater treatment and air pollution. That creates algae blooms that also block sunlight from reaching underwater plants.

Read about the history of the bay's dead zones on the Chesapeake Bay Trust website.