UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A novel study by a Penn State-led research team suggests that “manureshed” management in the Susquehanna River basin could make a big difference in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Susquehanna delivers half the fresh water in the Chesapeake Bay and about 40% of the nitrogen pollution, 20% of the phosphorus pollution and a heavy load of sediment pollution. The majority — more than 60% — of the river’s pollution, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, is attributable to excess manure, agricultural runoff, and urban and suburban stormwater.
“We believe that the manure runoff problem can be greatly diminished by managing the Susquehanna River as a manureshed,” said Cibin Raj, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Penn State. “Manureshed management guides the sustainable use of manure resources by matching areas of crop demand — nutrient sinks — with areas generating livestock manure — nutrient sources.”