Environmental 'Report Card' Reveals Water Quality of Long Island Sound

The Long Island Sound got its report card back,and grades ranged from an “A” to an “F” depending on the region.

The water quality of the Long Island sound greatly differs from the Western Narrows to the Eastern Long Island Sound, according to Eco Health Report Card.

As the Long Island Sound travels eastbound, the waters become cleaner, the study reveals.

The Eastern Narrows, which is closest to Oyster Bay, earned a “D+” due to continuous problems with dissolved oxygen, water clarity and nutrients, the report says.

According to the report:

“The Eastern Narrows has urban and suburban development and the water has little exchange with the Atlantic Ocean. There is a mix of healthy and unhealthy indicator grades. Improved water clarity led to a moderate chlorophyll grade. This region is influenced by the poor health of the Eastern Narrows, but is somewhat less developed than the Narrows.”

Eco Health Report Card compared five water quality indicators including, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, phosphorus and water clarity.

Long Island Sound’s report card:

• Western Narrows— F
• Eastern Narrows— D+
• Western Long Island Sound— B-
• Central Long Island Sound— B
• Eastern Long Island Sound— A

Check out the grades in each category.

There are ways that people in the area can help improve the water quality of the Long Island Sound. Found out how here.

This report card, published in June, was created by the Integration & Application Network at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Will these results affect the time you spend in the Long Island Sound? Let us know below.

Image: Patch file photo