The Troubled History Of Onondaga Lake's Pollution

Onondaga Lake, a sacred site for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, was once considered one of the most polluted lakes in the United States. Located in Central New York, adjacent to Syracuse, the lake suffered from industrial pollution and sewage waste, with companies like Honeywell and Allied Chemical discharging toxic chemicals and human waste directly into the lake for decades. The pollution resulted in high levels of ammonia, phosphorus, and mercury, causing excessive algae growth, fish deaths, and foul odours. Despite the Clean Water Act of 1973 and the closure of major polluters in the 1980s, it was only recently that Onondaga Lake underwent a significant transformation, becoming swimmable again and regaining its status as a source of civic pride.

Industrial waste

Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, has a long history of industrial pollution. Syracuse, the nearest city, grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, due to the commercialisation of salt production and the unique hydrogeology of the area. This industrial growth, however, came at a cost to the lake's health.

The lake, which is relatively small at 4.5 miles long and 1 mile wide, became a dumping ground for various types of industrial waste. One major source of pollution was the soda ash industry. From 1884 until 1986, the waste from soda ash production was discharged directly into the lake. This waste included high levels of chloride, sodium, and calcium, with an estimated 6 million pounds of these salty wastes being dumped daily. Over time, the waste built up, forming the Solvay wastebeds along the southwest perimeter of the lake. These wastebeds continue to leech toxins, including methyl mercury, into the lake, even decades after the plant's closure.

Another source of industrial pollution was the Allied Chemical Corporation, which contributed significantly to the chemical pollution of Onondaga Lake. The surface water was contaminated with mercury, while the lake bed sediments were contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, creosotes, heavy metals (including lead, cobalt, and mercury), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

In addition to these sources, the lake was also affected by industrial waste from the Semet material depot, which operated from 1917 to 1970. The primary contaminants of concern at this site were volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The industrial pollution in Onondaga Lake had severe ecological consequences, including high levels of toxic mercury in fish, excessive algae growth due to increased nutrients like ammonia and phosphorus, and low oxygen levels that choked out fish and plant life.

Recognising the severity of the issue, efforts to remediate the lake began in 2005 with dredging and capping of the sediments. This process involved removing 2.2 million cubic yards of toxins and sealing the remaining contaminants with a layer of calcium nitrate. The modernisation of the county's wastewater treatment plant and stormwater system also played a crucial role in improving water quality. Thanks to these initiatives, Onondaga Lake has made significant progress in reducing pollution levels and is now considered swimmable, with fish containing lower mercury levels than anticipated.

Sewage waste

Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, was once considered one of the most polluted lakes in the United States. The lake, which is approximately 4.5 miles long and 1 mile wide, has been heavily impacted by sewage waste over the years, leading to significant ecological damage.

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) have also played a significant role in sewage pollution. During heavy rain or snowmelt, the sewers in Syracuse overflow, discharging a combination of stormwater and sanitary sewage into tributaries that eventually flow into Onondaga Lake. These CSOs introduce bacteria and nutrients that promote algae growth, further exacerbating the ecological issues in the lake.

In recent years, efforts have been made to address the sewage pollution in Onondaga Lake. Upgrades to Syracuse's main sewage facility have helped curb the flow of nutrients like phosphorus and ammonia into the lake. Additionally, the closing of sewer overflows and improvements to the water treatment plant have contributed to the cleanup of the lake.

The impact of sewage waste on Onondaga Lake has been profound, and it has taken decades of work to begin restoring the lake's health. While progress has been made, there are still concerns about the lake's safety, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance are necessary to ensure the long-term success of the remediation efforts.

Onondaga Lake's transformation from a heavily polluted cesspool to a cleaner and healthier body of water offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against water pollution. It serves as a reminder of the importance of proper waste disposal, the impact of human activities on the environment, and the potential for restoration and recovery through dedicated efforts.

Soda ash production

Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, has been severely polluted by a combination of industrial and sewage waste. The lake, which is sacred to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, was considered one of the most polluted lakes in the United States for decades. The primary source of pollution was the soda ash industry, which began in 1884 and discharged waste directly into the lake until 1986.

Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, is a crucial ingredient in many common products, including glass and baking soda. The Solvay Process Company, established in 1882, produced about 20 tons of soda ash per day, dumping most of its waste into Onondaga Lake. The waste from the soda ash production was significant, with an estimated 6 million pounds of salty wastes, including chloride, sodium, and calcium, discharged daily. This waste contributed to the formation of the Solvay wastebeds, which continue to leech toxins into the lake.

The production of soda ash through the Solvay process is notoriously inefficient, generating approximately 50% more waste than product. For every 1 kg of soda ash produced, 0.5 kg of NaCl and 1.0 kg of CaCl2 wastes were produced. The waste slurry, composed of suspended solids, was pumped to the western shore of the lake, contributing to the buildup of waste along the shoreline and the contamination of the groundwater, surface water, and sediment.

The discharge of waste from the soda ash industry had severe ecological consequences for Onondaga Lake. The waste introduced high levels of toxins, particularly mercury, into the lake's ecosystem. Fish from the lake were found to contain dangerous levels of mercury, surpassing federal and state standards. The accumulation of waste and toxins led to the degradation of the lake's water quality and the decline of aquatic life.

The pollution from the soda ash industry, combined with other industrial and sewage waste, resulted in excessive algae growth, known as algal blooms. These algal blooms consumed large quantities of oxygen, leading to oxygen-depleted conditions that negatively impacted fish and plant life in the lake. The lake's reputation as a cesspool and a national embarrassment prompted legal action and environmental initiatives to address the pollution.

Despite the challenges, Onondaga Lake has undergone a remarkable transformation. Through various cleanup efforts, including dredging and capping of sediments, mercury levels have been significantly reduced, and the water quality has improved. The lake, once a source of embarrassment, is now a source of civic pride, showcasing the positive impact of environmental remediation and community efforts.

Mercury contamination

Onondaga Lake, a 4.5-mile-long lake in Central New York, has been a victim of pollution and mercury poisoning. Mercury contamination of the lake is a result of industrial waste, with companies like Honeywell and its predecessors dumping toxic chemicals into nearby ponds that fed the lake. From 1946 to 1970, Allied Chemical (Honeywell's predecessor) discharged about 165,000 pounds of mercury into the lake. This mercury settled at the bottom of the lake and eventually made its way into the ecosystem's food chain, resulting in highly contaminated fish.

The lake's small size made it easier for pollution to occur, but also easier to clean up. In 1972, fishing was banned in the lake due to mercury pollution, and in the same year, the U.S. Attorney General sued Allied Company, which then ceased the discharge of mercury. Restoration of the lake began in the 1970s and continued through the 1980s and 1990s, with the site being listed as a Superfund Site in 1994.

In the early 2000s, healing efforts began, including dredging the bottom of the lake to remove contaminated sediments. A layer of calcium nitrate was also applied to seal any remaining contaminants on the lake floor. While mercury levels have been steadily declining, they are still too high for some groups to eat fish caught in the lake. Experts agree that it is now safe to swim in the lake, but the public remains unsure.

Algal blooms

Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, has suffered from industrial pollution and sewage waste for decades. The lake, which is sacred to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, was once considered one of the most polluted lakes in the United States. The primary sources of pollution were industrial waste and sewage overflow, which led to excessive algae growth, known as algal blooms.

The industrial waste dumped into the lake also contributed to the algal blooms. From 1884 to 1986, Honeywell's predecessors produced soda ash on the lakeshore, discharging approximately 6 million pounds of salty waste, including chloride, sodium, and calcium, into the lake daily. The waste slurry was pumped to the western shore of the lake, forming wastebeds that now cover over 8.1 square kilometres. These wastebeds continue to leech toxins into the lake, including methyl mercury, contributing to the algal blooms and endangering the health of the lake's ecosystem.

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) has also played a significant role in the pollution of Onondaga Lake. During heavy rain or melting snow, the sewers in Syracuse overflow, discharging a combination of runoff and sanitary sewage into tributaries that eventually reach the lake. This has led to increased bacteria levels and contributed to the nutrient load promoting algae growth. The sewage overflow also carries pollutants such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, creosotes, and heavy metals, further degrading the lake's water quality.

Efforts to remediate the lake have been underway since the 1970s, driven by environmental awareness and citizen action. Dredging and capping of toxic sediments, as well as the modernisation of wastewater treatment plants, have significantly improved water quality. The development of new technologies, such as the underwater injection of nitrates to lock mercury in the sediments, has also helped reduce mercury levels in the water. While mercury levels in fish have decreased, concerns about mercury poisoning and health risks remain. Onondaga County's plans to build a swimming beach on the lake's northern end reflect the improving water quality, but some local residents and environmental organisations believe more needs to be done.

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