Use of Satellite and In-situ Observations to Assess the Effectiveness of Riparian Buffers in Mitigating Runoff during Hurricanes in the Chesapeake Bay

As we grow closer to the reality of the climate crisis with warming temperatures and unstable weather patterns, tropical storms and hurricanes become more frequent, including in the Mid-Atlantic region, often severely impacting surrounding regions. This paper analyzes the changes in turbidity of the Chesapeake Bay during hurricanes and tropical storms using Kd(490) measurements from NOAA’s JPSS satellite data to determine how rainfall and runoff contribute to the overall health of the bay. Additionally, the paper analyzes the impact of riparian land and forest buffers on the dissolved oxygen and Kd(490) levels of the Chesapeake Bay, and discusses the effectiveness of riparian buffer zones in mitigating pollution from the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Dissolved Oxygen data is obtained from Eyes on the Bay data collection stations, and riparian buffer zone data will be taken from the Chesapeake Bay Program Forest Buffer Outcome map. Through the use of both satellite and in-situ data, this study shows that weather resulting from tropical storms often correlates to higher Kd(490) levels and lower water clarity, as well as lower, more variable levels of dissolved oxygen. Furthermore, this analysis shows that a higher amount of riparian buffer land is often correlated with lower turbidity and more stable, higher levels of dissolved oxygen.