Meghan Hodges
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and is an important source of drinking water for the surrounding region. While the lake remains relatively healthy, there are growing concerns about toxic chemical pollution, particularly PFAS contamination, which has been detected in the water, foam, and local wildlife. Despite the overall good status of the lake, there are ongoing issues with nearshore algal blooms, invasive species, and agricultural and land use stressors. This has led to a decline in fish populations and other lower food web organisms. With the presence of toxic chemicals and the ongoing environmental challenges, there are concerns about the future health of Lake Huron and the potential risks to human health, wildlife, and the ecosystem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall status of the Lake Huron basin ecosystem | Good |
| Trend | Unchanging |
| Lake Huron's beaches and nearshore waters | Clear, clean, and suitable for swimming and other recreational use |
| Nutrient concentrations | Fair with a deteriorating long-term trend due to reduced offshore phosphorus levels |
| Cladophora levels | Low |
| Harmful algal blooms | Fair with an unchanging trend |
| Coastal wetland conditions | Range from fair to good |
| Fish populations in nearshore waters | Good and unchanging |
| Lake Trout condition | Fair with an improving trend |
| Impact of aquatic invasive species | Poor |
| Status of invasive Sea Lamprey | Fair with improving adult Sea Lamprey populations |
| Between-lake spread of aquatic non-native species | Poor |
| PFAS contamination | Widespread |
| PFAS contamination in fish | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
PFAS contamination in Oscoda, Michigan
Lake Huron is considered to be in good condition, with its beaches and waters providing ample opportunities for swimming and other recreational activities. However, PFAS contamination has been detected in Oscoda, Michigan, which is located on the lake's shoreline. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are toxic chemicals that have been found in the area's water, soil, and foam.
The contamination has had a severe impact on the local environment and has raised concerns among residents about their health and safety. In 2017, Oscoda residents formed a grassroots group called Need Our Water (NOW) to advocate for clean water and protect wildlife and human health. They have collected lakeshore foam samples for analysis, which revealed PFAS concentrations up to 5,000 times greater than in the surrounding water. This foam poses a risk to anyone who comes into contact with it, and there have been calls for increased public awareness and education about the dangers of PFAS.
Despite the efforts of the community and environmental partners, there has been a lack of decisive action to address the PFAS contamination in Oscoda. The Air Force has been criticised for the slow progress of the cleanup efforts, and there are concerns about the applicability of Michigan's cleanup standards to military sites. The Defense Department missed a deadline to stop using the toxic firefighting foam, and the cleanup process is expected to take decades and incur billions of dollars in costs.
The state of Michigan has been urged to take a more proactive approach to addressing PFAS contamination. In response to community pressure, EGLE has worked with the Air Force to accelerate the investigation and develop remediation plans. However, there is still no comprehensive plan to clean up the PFAS contamination in Oscoda, and the issue continues to affect the local community and environment.
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Invasive species and their impact on Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes and is a source of high-quality drinking water. However, it faces threats from invasive species, which are non-native plants and animals that are introduced to the lake through human activities, either deliberately or accidentally.
Invasive species have had a significant impact on the Lake Huron ecosystem. One of the earliest recorded instances of an invasive species in Lake Huron was the sea lamprey, which, along with the alewife, invaded the lake in the 1940s. This invasion caused drastic changes to the abundances, food sources, habitats, and reproductive cycles of native organisms. By the 1970s, several native species had gone extinct. The salmon fishery industry, which emerged as a result of the decimation of native game fish by invasive species, became a billion-dollar industry by 1984.
In 1985, zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Huron. Within a decade, they had spread to all five Great Lakes and the Ohio and Mississippi river basins. The introduction of zebra mussels led to a reduction in plankton, which served as a primary food source for young fish. This shift in food availability and the competition with mussels resulted in a decline in the salmon population. By 2005, charter fishing in Lake Huron had declined by 80%.
Other invasive species in Lake Huron include quagga mussels, round goby, and phragmites. These species have contributed to the decline in the productivity of offshore waters and the growth of nuisance algae in nearshore waters. Eurasian water milfoil and other invasive aquatic plants can grow so dense that they interfere with boating and recreation.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been working to prevent new introductions of invasive species and control existing populations. They collaborate with state, tribal, and local partners to monitor and prevent the spread of invasive carp, which pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes basin. Community groups, such as Need Our Water (NOW), have also formed to address PFAS pollution in Lake Huron and advocate for stronger regulations and public awareness.
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Algal blooms and their effects
Algal blooms are a natural occurrence in bodies of water, but they can become harmful when toxin-producing algae grow excessively. This is called a harmful algal bloom (HAB). HABs can be identified by their colour, which can be green, blue-green, red, or brown. However, it is not always easy to spot them, as some grow near the bottom of water bodies.
HABs are mainly caused by a type of algae called cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. They are more likely to occur in warm water with high nutrient levels, particularly of nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients can come from sources such as fertilizer or sewage waste. Other factors that contribute to HABs include light, temperature, salinity, pH, and other environmental conditions. Changes in water conditions, such as low turbidity, can also impact the growth of HABs by allowing more light to penetrate the water.
HABs have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. They deplete oxygen levels in the water, which is essential for aquatic life, and block sunlight from reaching deeper-dwelling organisms. Additionally, they release toxins that contaminate drinking water, causing illnesses in both humans and animals. HABs can also impact businesses and property values, as they affect water clarity and recreational activities.
Lake Huron has been affected by nearshore algal blooms, mainly in Saginaw Bay and the southern end of Georgian Bay. However, overall, the lake is considered healthy, and its beaches and nearshore waters are generally clear and clean. The current status of harmful algal blooms in Lake Huron is assessed as "Fair with an Unchanging trend". Efforts to prevent HABs include proper fertilizer usage and maintaining septic systems to reduce nutrient pollution in water.
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The presence of toxic chemicals
Lake Huron is a popular destination for summer vacationers, with sandy beaches, acres of wetlands, wildlife reserves, and trout fishing on the Au Sable River. However, recent reports have revealed a hidden danger lurking in this watery paradise: the presence of toxic chemicals, specifically PFAS contamination.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of chemicals used in manufacturing and consumer products. While some types of PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA, have been phased out, they continue to persist in the environment, along with newer PFAS variants. PFAS contamination in Lake Huron has sparked concern among the local community, particularly in Oscoda, Michigan.
Since 2017, residents have observed significant foam events on the lake, prompting requests to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to test the foam for PFAS. Despite initial refusals, community advocacy groups like Need Our Water (NOW) took matters into their own hands and conducted their own testing. The results confirmed the presence of PFAS in the lake foam, with concentrations up to 5,000 times greater than in the surrounding water. This poses a potential health risk to unsuspecting individuals who come into contact with the foam during recreational activities.
To address this issue, community organizations like NOW, the Ecology Center, and the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center have developed community-based science monitoring projects and policy recommendations. They advocate for increased public awareness, health-protective policies, and permanent signage on high-use beaches to educate visitors about the dangers of PFAS foam. Their efforts aim to protect the health of residents, safeguard Lake Huron's fragile ecosystem, and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
In addition to PFAS contamination, Lake Huron has also faced challenges with invasive species, nutrient concentrations, and algal blooms. These issues can have detrimental effects on the lake's ecosystem, fish populations, and recreational activities. However, the overall status of the Lake Huron basin ecosystem is considered "Good" according to the State of the Great Lakes indicators, and long-term trends indicate a decline in toxic chemical concentrations. Nonetheless, continued monitoring, conservation efforts, and community engagement are crucial to ensuring the health and sustainability of Lake Huron and the communities that depend on it.
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The impact on fish populations
The overall status of the Lake Huron basin ecosystem is considered "Good" and "Unchanging" according to the nine State of the Great Lakes indicators. The lake continues to be a source of high-quality drinking water, and its beaches and nearshore waters are mostly clear and clean, allowing for swimming and other recreational activities.
However, Lake Huron does face some environmental challenges, including the presence of toxic chemicals and the impact of invasive species on the lake's ecosystem and fish populations.
The health of Lake Huron's fish populations is mixed. Populations of fish and lower food web organisms like Diporeia in the offshore waters have been low since the mid-2000s and continue to decline. This decline is attributed to the presence of invasive species like the filter-feeding quagga mussel, which reduces the availability of nutrients in the offshore waters.
In contrast, fish populations in the nearshore waters, such as Walleye, have not been significantly affected by the changes in the lower food web. Walleye populations are assessed as "Good" and "Unchanging". Lake Trout populations are in "Fair" condition but are showing signs of improvement with increasing natural recruitment.
Invasive species, particularly the quagga mussel, have impacted the productivity of offshore waters and contributed to nuisance algae growth in some nearshore waters. Additionally, the spread of non-native species between lakes has been assessed as "Poor", with eight new non-native species detected in Lake Huron over the last decade.
The presence of toxic chemicals, specifically Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is also a concern for the lake's fish populations. PFAS contamination has been detected in the lake's foam, and without proper monitoring and public advisories, people and wildlife may be exposed to these toxins. In 2010, EGLE issued "Do Not Eat" advisories for fish and wildlife in the affected areas, but community members have expressed frustration over the lack of continued monitoring and action to address PFAS pollution.
Overall, while the nearshore fish populations in Lake Huron remain stable, the offshore fish populations continue to decline due to the combined effects of invasive species and toxic chemical pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake Huron's beaches and nearshore waters are mostly clear and clean. However, PFAS contaminants have been found in the lake, and there are concerns about the presence of toxic PFAS foam on its shores. Overall, the status of the Lake Huron basin ecosystem is considered Good, but there are issues with invasive species and algal blooms.
PFAS stands for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS compound that was once commonly used in household products and stain and water repellents. PFAS has been linked to various health issues, including immune system compromise, increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular harm, and decreased birth weight.
In 2017, residents of Oscoda, Michigan, formed the grassroots group Need Our Water (NOW) to advocate for clean water and protect wildlife and human health. NOW has since joined forces with other organisations to form the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network (GLPAN), which is working on community-based science monitoring projects and policy recommendations to address PFAS pollution.
Yes, health officials have issued advisories regarding the consumption of fish from Lake Huron due to PFAS contamination. People are advised to limit their consumption of rainbow smelt from the lake to no more than six servings per year for adults and 2-4 ounces for children.
