Lake Michigan's Pollution: Causes And Concerns

Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake in the US, with 1,600 miles of shoreline. It is a source of drinking water for 40 million people and is crucial for fishing, tourism, and transportation. However, the lake is facing a growing pollution problem, with plastic being the major pollutant. According to a study, 11 million pounds of plastic are dumped into Lake Michigan each year, threatening its delicate ecosystem and the health of those who rely on it. Other sources of pollution include fertilizer runoff, algae blooms, trash, and E. coli bacteria. While beach cleanups and policy changes are helping to address the issue, more systemic solutions and cultural shifts are needed to combat the plastic pollution crisis in Lake Michigan effectively.

Plastic pollution

Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake in the US, with 1,600 miles of shoreline. The Great Lakes, of which Lake Michigan is a part, hold 20% of the world's fresh water and about 85% of North America's. They are a crucial resource, providing potable drinking water for the country and supporting wildlife and ecosystems. However, the Great Lakes are under threat from pollution, including plastic pollution.

A recent study by the Rochester Institute of Technology found that 22 million pounds of plastic are dumped into the Great Lakes every year, with Lake Michigan receiving the most plastic pollution of all the Great Lakes. This is approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake annually.

The plastic pollution in Lake Michigan comes in the form of microplastics, tiny strands of plastic that are often too small to be seen with the naked eye. These microplastics are fragments of petroleum-based fabrics such as polyester and nylon, which are shed from synthetic clothing when laundered. They are also the result of plastic microbeads, tiny spheres of polyethylene and polypropylene that were previously added to cosmetic products such as toothpaste and exfoliating facial scrubs. While microbeads have now been banned in Illinois and several other states, as well as phased out by major manufacturers, the accumulation of plastic waste in Lake Michigan remains a significant issue.

The plastic pollution in Lake Michigan poses risks to both people and wildlife. The tiny plastic fibres can spread toxic chemicals and disease-causing bacteria, and they are consumed by fish, entering the food chain. The pollution is also detrimental to the lake's delicate ecosystem, which is further threatened by algal blooms caused by fertilizer runoff.

Efforts are being made to combat the plastic pollution in Lake Michigan. Environmental groups have called for a focus on prevention, as microplastics are practically impossible to clean up. There is also a need for the development of new, environmentally friendly materials to replace plastics, although the manufacturing costs of such materials are currently very high. Individuals can contribute to the protection of Lake Michigan by refusing single-use plastic bags and ensuring they leave no trash behind when visiting the lake's beaches.

Fertilizer runoff

Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake located entirely within the United States, with 1,600 miles of shoreline. The Great Lakes, of which Lake Michigan is one, hold 20% of the world's fresh water and about 85% of North America's. They are a crucial resource, providing potable drinking water for millions and supporting ecosystems, fishing, tourism, and transportation.

However, Lake Michigan is subject to various sources of pollution, including fertilizer runoff. Fertilizer runoff is caused by the improper use of fertilizer in agriculture and pastures, which then runs off into the lake. This is a significant problem, as it is currently largely unregulated under the Clean Water Act. According to Tim Folger, a National Geographic Contributing Writer, fertilizer runoff was responsible for a harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie six years ago, which contaminated the drinking water supply for half a million people in Toledo, Ohio.

To combat this issue, new technologies are being developed to reduce the harmful impact of fertilizer runoff. For instance, teabags containing zeolite, a natural material engineered with metal oxides, can attract phosphorus and reduce its negative effects. However, the manufacturing costs of such innovative solutions are currently very high, requiring further government investment in research and development.

Overall, fertilizer runoff is a significant contributor to the pollution of Lake Michigan and requires attention and action to protect the lake's ecosystem and the people who depend on it.

Algal blooms

Excess nutrients in the waterways cause algal blooms, and one of the main causes is fertilizer runoff from surrounding farmland. In 2014, a toxic algal bloom in Lake Erie contaminated the drinking water supply for half a million people in Toledo, Ohio.

Fertilizer runoff is not regulated under the Clean Water Act, and it is a significant problem for the Great Lakes. In addition to algal blooms, fertilizer runoff can also cause other environmental issues, such as eutrophication, which can lead to dead zones in the water.

To combat this issue, scientists in the Great Lakes region are working to address fertilizer runoff and other threats to the ecosystem, such as plastic pollution and trash. New technologies are also being developed to reduce the harmful impact of fertilizer use. For example, teabags containing zeolite, a natural material engineered with metal oxides, can attract phosphorus and reduce its negative impact on the environment.

However, the cost of manufacturing environmentally friendly materials is currently very high, and government investment in research is needed to encourage the development of affordable, sustainable alternatives to plastic.

Trash and litter

The trash and litter polluting Lake Michigan are not limited to waste from a specific industry but are a collective problem, with items making their way into the lake from various sources. Single-use plastic items are a major contributor to the trash and litter in Lake Michigan. These items are often used just once and then discarded, ending up in the lake. From 2014 to 2023, the top litter items collected during cleanups were tiny plastic pieces, cigarette butts, tiny foam pieces, plastic bottle caps, and food wrappers. 40% of the litter collected was considered "tiny trash," measuring less than 2.5 centimetres in size. This trash is not only unsightly but also poses a serious threat to the environment and public health.

Plastics in the lake break down into toxic microplastic particles, which can absorb toxic chemicals and harbour dangerous microbes. These microplastics have been found in Great Lakes fish, drinking water, bottled water, and even beer. It is estimated that people ingest about a credit card-sized amount of plastic each week, and this plastic can come from seafood, as fish accumulate plastic in their bodies. While the specific health impacts of microplastics are still being studied, their presence in water systems and the food chain is a growing area of concern for researchers and public health organisations.

To combat the issue of trash and litter in Lake Michigan, various efforts are being made. The Alliance for the Great Lakes, for example, sponsors beach clean-up events and works with partners across the region to support legislation addressing plastic pollution. Volunteers with the Alliance's Adopt-a-Beach program have removed tens of thousands of pounds of trash from the Great Lakes shorelines, with about 85% of the collected waste being plastic. Additionally, Illinois has proposed the "Plastic-Free Water for Illinois" platform, which includes banning plastic foam, reducing plastic serviceware in restaurants, and taxing plastic bags.

While beach cleanups are essential, they are not sufficient to solve the magnitude of the plastic pollution problem in Lake Michigan. A more systemic approach is needed, addressing the issue at multiple points in the supply chain and encouraging the development of environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic.

Sewage and industrial waste

For decades, factories have been dumping chemical pollutants into the lake and the waterways that flow into it. Since the Great Lakes Basin lacks substantial government oversight, waste from surrounding cities' sewers and industrial plants has easily made its way into the lake. This includes fertilizer and pesticides from agricultural runoff, which have caused toxic algal blooms that threaten the health of the lakes.

In addition to industrial waste, sewage from the 11.6 million people in the basin also contributes to the pollution of Lake Michigan. A comprehensive survey of the Lake Michigan shoreline conducted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) between May 1984 and July 2002 found that the primary cause of impairment is Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). Pollution sources in the watershed include nonpoint sources from agriculture and pastures, land application of manure, and urban and rural runoff, as well as point sources from straight pipe discharges, home sewage treatment system disposal, and combined sewer overflow outlets.

The accumulation of plastics in Lake Michigan is also a significant issue. A study from the Rochester Institute of Technology found that 11 million pounds of plastic are entering Lake Michigan each year, threatening the lake's wildlife and ecosystems, as well as the over 10 million people who rely on it for drinking water. Plastic pollution in the lake is not only an ecological issue but also a social one, as it has the potential to impact the health of those who consume the water and the fish that live in it.

While beach clean-ups and recycling efforts have helped to remove plastic waste from the lake, more systemic solutions are needed to address the magnitude of the plastic pollution problem in Lake Michigan. This includes interventions all along the supply chain and a fundamental transformation of cultural norms around waste.

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