The Troubled Waters Of Lake Erie: Pollution's Impact

Lake Erie, the southernmost Great Lake, has been at the forefront of a national water pollution crisis for decades. The lake, which has shores in several states, including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and the Canadian province of Ontario, is the source of drinking water for about 12 million people. However, as the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, it is particularly vulnerable to pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and agriculture. Excess phosphorus pollution, largely from agricultural runoff and wastewater, has been a significant issue since the 1960s, contributing to harmful algal blooms and oxygen-depleted dead zones. While there have been efforts to clean up the lake and reduce phosphorus loads, pollution and algal blooms continue to plague Lake Erie, threatening both the environment and human health.

Agricultural runoff and livestock operations

Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, making it particularly susceptible to algal blooms. The lake's western basin is very shallow, with an average depth of 7.4 metres (24 ft) and a maximum depth of 19 metres (62 ft). It is the most turbid region of the lake, as most of the lake bottom is covered with fine sediment particles that are easily disturbed by wind and wave action.

Excess phosphorus pollution from agricultural operations is a significant issue. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and it is found in fertilizers used in crop production. When heavy rain falls after farmers have fertilized their fields, it can send nutrient-laden runoff gushing into the lake. This runoff contains dissolved reactive phosphorus, which is 100% available to algae. Research has shown that the concentration of dissolved reactive phosphorus is now exceeding particulate phosphorus from several tributaries to Lake Erie. It is estimated that half of the total phosphorus entering the Lake Erie watershed from the United States comes from the Maumee River Watershed, which is heavily farmed.

In addition to phosphorus, manure from CAFOs also contributes to the pollution of Lake Erie. The increasing manure output from these operations is not tied to weather conditions, and when heavy rains occur, the manure is dislodged from the fields and runs off into the lake. This manure runoff contains harmful bacteria and toxins that can pose serious risks to human health and the environment.

To address these issues, some states have implemented programs to help farmers reduce runoff and connect them to federal funding to absorb the costs. For example, Michigan's Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program covers 3.3% of the western basin's total farmland and provides assistance to farmers in reducing runoff. However, environmental groups argue that more needs to be done, and they are pushing for the creation of a pollution diet for Lake Erie, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), to limit the amount of nutrients that can be dumped into the waterway.

Industrialization and urbanization

Lake Erie is the shallowest and most industrialized of the Great Lakes, making it susceptible to pollution. About one-third of the total population of the Great Lakes basin resides within the Lake Erie watershed, including seventeen metropolitan areas with populations of over 50,000. The lake is an essential source of drinking water for around 12 million people in the US and Canada.

The lake's industrialization and urbanization have contributed significantly to its pollution. Industrial activities, such as manufacturing, have led to the discharge of polluted wastewater and runoff containing excess phosphorus and other nutrients into the lake. This has fueled the growth of harmful algal blooms, which impair the lake's aesthetic, ecological, and economic value, as well as threatening drinking water supplies.

Urbanization has also played a role in Lake Erie's pollution. Urban areas contribute to sediment loading in the lake, particularly in southwest Ontario and northwest Ohio. Exposed urban lands increase the amount of sediment entering the lake, which can have detrimental effects on water quality and aquatic life. The high population density and urban development in the Lake Erie basin increase the stress on the lake's ecosystem and make it more vulnerable to pollution.

In addition, the combination of industrialization and urbanization has led to increased nutrient pollution in Lake Erie. The high population and industrial activity in the watershed result in higher nutrient runoff, including phosphorus and nitrogen compounds. These nutrients act as fertilizers, promoting excessive plant and algae growth, leading to eutrophication and the creation of oxygen-depleted "dead zones" in the lake.

Efforts to address the pollution in Lake Erie have been ongoing. There has been a focus on implementing nutrient management strategies and improving wastewater treatment processes. Regulatory agencies in both Canada and the US have recognized the importance of limiting phosphorus loads to control algal growth. While there have been some successes, such as the reduction in open lake phosphorus concentrations through international cooperation, the problem persists, and innovative solutions are continuously being sought to protect the lake and ensure safe drinking water for the millions of people who depend on it.

Excess phosphorus pollution

Lake Erie is the shallowest and most industrialized of the Great Lakes, making it susceptible to pollution. The lake's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which, in turn, is caused by agricultural runoff and polluted wastewater. Nearly 90% of the excess phosphorus comes from the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed. Liquid animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is leaching into the water at growing rates.

The phosphorus-rich wastewater feeds algal blooms that turn the water green. These algal blooms have been an issue since the 1960s and 1970s when the lake was heavily polluted. They continue to be a problem today, with recent years seeing record-setting algal blooms. These blooms can persist for weeks during the summer and create dead zones – oxygen-depleted areas that are created when the algae die and decompose.

The excess phosphorus in the lake is also harmful to human health. Some algae produce microcystin bacteria, which is more poisonous than cyanide and can cause liver damage and other ailments in humans and animals. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days. The city of Toledo, Ohio, also issued a "do not drink" advisory for two days in 2014 due to microcystin contamination.

There have been efforts to reduce phosphorus loads to Lake Erie. In 2013, a target to reduce the annual total phosphorus load to 6,000 metric tons was set. However, as of 2023, this target has only been met once, in 2016. There are also plans to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, which will outline a pollution diet with limits on the nutrients that can be dumped into the lake.

Harmful algal blooms

Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of all the Great Lakes, making it the most susceptible to harmful algal blooms (HABs). The lake's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which, in turn, is caused by agricultural runoff, polluted wastewater, and livestock operations.

In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days, prompting the deployment of the National Guard to bring in bottled water. Some algae produce microcystin bacteria, which is more poisonous than cyanide and can cause liver damage and other ailments in humans and animals. The lake is a crucial source of drinking water for about 12 million people in the US and Canada, and harmful algal blooms can directly affect the water supply.

The Clean Water Act mandates that when a body of water is declared impaired, the state-level EPA must prepare a remedial TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) plan. This outlines a pollution diet with limits on nutrients that industries can dump into the waterway. While the Ohio EPA declared western Lake Erie impaired in 2018, it failed to take remedial action. After years of litigation, the Commissioners, the U.S. EPA, and the Ohio EPA agreed to a consent decree, and the Ohio EPA prepared a TMDL for western Lake Erie.

To address the problem of HABs, the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center released an action plan in 2024. The plan encourages innovative solutions and collaboration to tackle nutrient pollution in Lake Erie. Suggestions include rewarding agricultural retailers for promoting conservation practices, focusing efforts on areas with the highest phosphorus levels, and updating funding strategies.

Lack of adequate policies

Lake Erie has been at the forefront of a national water pollution crisis for decades. The lake is the shallowest and most industrialized of all the Great Lakes, making it susceptible to pollution. It is also the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, which means that it is more vulnerable to the effects of pollution.

One of the main sources of pollution in Lake Erie is agricultural runoff. The lake is surrounded by exposed agricultural and urban lands, particularly in southwest Ontario and northwest Ohio, which contribute immense sediment loads to the lake. In addition, the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed allows liquid animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to leach into the water. This waste contains high levels of phosphorus, which contributes to excess algal growth in the lake.

Another source of pollution is wastewater from industrial sources. For example, in 2024, the United States Department of Justice and environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Campbell Soup Company, alleging that its manufacturing plant in Napoleon, Ohio, allowed polluted wastewater containing excess phosphorus to flow into the lake. This phosphorus-rich wastewater feeds algal blooms, causing the water to turn green.

While there have been some efforts to address the pollution in Lake Erie, a lack of adequate policies has hindered progress. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days. Despite this, the Ohio EPA failed to take immediate remedial action, only agreeing to begin developing a cleanup plan after a lawsuit was filed in 2019. In 2024, the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center announced it would be releasing an action plan to tackle nutrient pollution in the lake, highlighting the ongoing need for innovative solutions.

The lack of adequate policies to address agricultural and industrial pollution has contributed to the ongoing degradation of Lake Erie. It is essential that policies are implemented to regulate nutrient runoff, treat wastewater, and enforce environmental regulations to protect the lake and ensure safe drinking water for the millions of people who depend on it.

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