Great Lakes Pollution: How Bad Is It?

The Great Lakes are the largest system of freshwater in the world, containing nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater. They are used by more than 30% of Canadians and contribute to half of Canada's manufacturing output. However, the Great Lakes are not impervious to harm and are facing new challenges from pollution to climate change. Human activities have caused great harm to this important body of water, and the Great Lakes are sometimes referred to as the river of fish tumors due to their long history of industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution. While there have been efforts to clean up and protect the Great Lakes, toxic pollution remains a colossal problem.

Industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution

Agricultural pollution is a significant concern. Agriculture occupies about a quarter of the land surrounding the Great Lakes, and farming practices have contaminated the lakes and their tributaries. Chemical fertilizers and manure from farm fields flow into waterways during rain events, introducing pathogens, bacteria, and excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients cause harmful algal blooms, which can make water toxic to wildlife and people. When the blooms die off, they deplete oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive. In 2014, a massive algal bloom in Lake Erie contaminated the drinking water of half a million people in Toledo, Ohio, underscoring the urgent need to address agricultural runoff.

Industrial pollution has also played a detrimental role in the deterioration of the Great Lakes. Toxic pollutants, including PCBs, DDT, chlordane, lead, copper, arsenic, and more, have been detected in and around the lakes. These chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in the ecological food chain, posing risks to human health and wildlife. Industrial discharge pipes, sewage plants, dumping sites, and smokestacks have all contributed to the introduction of these hazardous substances. Additionally, industrial cities like Detroit have dumped acids, iron, and oil wastes into rivers flowing into the Great Lakes, exacerbating the pollution problem.

Urban runoff, or non-point source pollution, is another significant contributor to the degradation of the Great Lakes. Stormwater runoff from urban areas carries nutrients, sediments, and bacteria into the lakes. Increased urbanization has expanded the surface area of impervious surfaces, intensifying the problem. Atmospheric deposition, including emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, is also a substantial source of nitrogen pollution in the lakes.

To address these issues, various efforts are being made. Organizations like the Alliance for the Great Lakes advocate for policy changes and work with local communities to develop solutions. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, established in 1972 between the United States and Canada, aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem. However, enforcement and accountability have been lacking, necessitating amendments to effectively curb non-point source pollution.

Plastic pollution

The Great Lakes are a crucial water supply, constituting the largest system of freshwater in the world, with nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater. However, they are under significant threat from various forms of pollution, including plastic pollution.

Microplastics in the Great Lakes have multiple sources, including city water runoff, heavy winds, and rain storms. They can also come from "nurdles," small plastic pieces used in the production of larger plastic products, and the breakdown of single-use plastics. The Great Lakes are particularly vulnerable to pollution due to their nature as a closed system, where pollutants become concentrated over time.

Volunteer efforts, such as the Alliance's Adopt-a-Beach program, have been instrumental in removing plastic litter from the Great Lakes shorelines. However, beach cleanups alone are insufficient to address the magnitude of the problem. More systemic solutions are needed, and legislation is being advocated to address plastic production, reduction, and improved reuse systems. Illinois has been a leader in this regard, becoming the first state to ban microbeads in personal care products.

Climate change further complicates the cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes. Warmer water temperatures can impact oxygen concentrations, nutrient cycling, and food webs, exacerbating the challenges posed by plastic pollution. The presence of microplastics in the Great Lakes threatens the jobs, ecosystems, and drinking water supply of millions of people who depend on these lakes.

Climate change

The Great Lakes, comprising nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater, are facing a growing threat from pollution and climate change. The lakes are a vital water supply for over 30% of Canadians and contribute to half of Canada's manufacturing output.

The Great Lakes are closely linked to the surrounding forests, which are also suffering from the effects of climate change. Wetlands, which are essential for absorbing and slowing water flow, are becoming more critical as climate change causes erratic weather patterns.

Invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, are damaging the bottom of the food web, causing the disappearance of diatoms and microscopic phytoplankton, ultimately reducing the food available for fish. Climate change is also leading to heavier rainstorms, causing more flooding, and the increased presence of "forever chemicals" like PFAS and PFOA.

Pollution

The Great Lakes have long been subjected to various pollutants, including toxic chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and sewage. These pollutants enter the lakes from industrial discharge, sewage plants, dumping sites, smokestacks, and agricultural runoff. Even in small concentrations, these toxins can cause severe health issues, including cancer and birth defects.

While there have been efforts to address pollution, such as the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the US and Canada, toxic pollution remains a significant issue. Lake Erie, in particular, has suffered from industrial and municipal waste, leading to oxygen depletion and the proliferation of algae.

Addressing the Challenges

Midwestern communities are actively working to address these challenges. Efforts include cleaning up old pollution sites, building resilient infrastructure, and creating jobs in the green economy. Organizations like the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) are advocating for toxic cleanup and pushing for cleaner transportation and energy solutions.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is also playing a crucial role in advancing policies and implementing projects to improve climate resilience. TNC was instrumental in securing funding for water quality improvement projects in Ohio, focusing on wetlands protection and restoration.

Despite the challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to protect the Great Lakes for the long-term health and economic well-being of the region.

Water contamination

The Great Lakes have a long history of industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution. Toxic chemicals from industrial waste, sewage overflows, runoff from cities, and mining operations have found their way into the lakes. In the past, factories dumped acids, iron, and oil wastes into rivers that flowed into the lakes. Agricultural runoff from farms carried wastes and pesticides into the lakes, contributing to the pollution. This has resulted in poor water quality, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss.

The impact of this contamination is severe and far-reaching. Chemicals, including toxic pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals, have entered the food web, posing risks to human health and the environment. Even at low concentrations, these toxins can cause cancer, birth defects, and damage to the nervous and immune systems. Some pollutants, such as phosphorus or PCB, can accumulate in fatty tissue, with their concentrations increasing exponentially as they move up the food chain.

Climate change is also exacerbating the problem. Warmer water can affect oxygen concentrations, nutrient cycling, and food webs in the lakes. Additionally, flooding driven by climate change threatens to contaminate public water supplies, and record-high water levels are eroding shorelines and damaging infrastructure. The emergence of microplastic pollution and "forever chemicals" like PFAS and PFOA further complicates the issue.

Efforts have been made to address the pollution in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, developed in 1972 between the United States and Canada, aimed to reduce phosphorus levels and improve water quality. While there has been some progress, toxic pollution remains a significant problem. Midwestern communities are working on creative solutions, and organisations like the Environment Law and Policy Centre are advocating for blocking industrial pollution, protecting water systems from oil pipelines, and promoting green infrastructure.

Environmental regulations

The Great Lakes are a vital water supply, containing nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater. They are shared between the United States and Canada, spanning over 1,200 kilometres from west to east. The lakes are a significant source of water for more than 30% of Canadians and contribute to half of Canada's manufacturing output.

Due to decades of industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution, the Great Lakes have been severely polluted. Chemicals, toxic pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals have entered the lakes from various sources, including factory discharge pipes, sewage plants, dumping sites, smokestacks, and runoff from cities and farmland. This has led to a decline in water quality, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss.

To address this issue, various environmental regulations and initiatives have been implemented:

• The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA): In 1972, the United States and Canada developed the GLWQA to improve water quality in the Great Lakes. This agreement helped reduce phosphorus levels and decrease the concentration of certain chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While there was initial success, both nations became complacent, and toxic pollution remains a significant problem.
• Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs): These measures set overall limits for the release of specific pollutants into local water bodies, aiming to gradually reduce pollution levels. TMDLs have been applied or are under development for parts of the Great Lakes basin, including western Lake Erie.
• Lake Erie Bill of Rights: In 2019, voters in Toledo, Ohio, adopted this bill, which would allow citizens to take legal action when Lake Erie is polluted.
• Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC): Established in 2004, the GLRC brings together elected officials, municipal and county governments, environmental groups, and tribal representatives from the eight Great Lakes states to address issues affecting the lakes.
• Great Lakes Charter Annex: Signed in 2001, this agreement outlines water use principles that the Great Lakes governors and premiers are working to turn into legally binding standards.
• Environmental Law and Policy Centre (ELPC): ELPC is a legal advocacy organisation that has been actively fighting to protect the Great Lakes. They have sued to stop the construction of polluting facilities, held industries accountable for violations, and advocated for green infrastructure and climate resilience.
• Clean Water Act: This act has been invoked to address pollution in the Great Lakes, particularly in the case of Lake Erie, where discharges of toxic chemicals have been targeted.
• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI): Instituted in 2010, the GLRI has shown economic benefits, with each dollar spent in restoration generating $3.35 in additional economic activity through 2036.

While these environmental regulations and initiatives have had some success, the Great Lakes continue to face challenges from pollution and climate change. It is crucial to have concrete policy implementation and regulation to prevent further environmental degradation and protect this vital freshwater ecosystem.

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