Virginia Darden ’19

Virginia decided to become a Chesapeake Bay Fellow because she thinks the Bay plays a crucial role in our ecosystem and economy. She also felt that it was important to preserve such an influential waterway before matters became even worse.

This year, she has been researching water clarity in the Chesapeake Bay. She frequently tests the Elizabeth River for pH, alkalinity, and nitrates, all of which are essential for a healthy bay. She is finding that the levels of these variables are far from where they should stand, and have been investigating why the levels are that way. It is mainly due to high levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment in the water produced by agriculture and urban runoff. We all must do what we can to help the bay to restore it to a healthy state again.