Brian Barton
The Great Lakes, which span over 500 miles from west to east, are one of the world's largest surface freshwater ecosystems. They are made up of five lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, human activities have severely impacted the Great Lakes, causing them to become heavily polluted. This pollution comes from various sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, urban development, and plastic waste. The effects of this pollution are wide-ranging, including water quality degradation, habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and health risks for both wildlife and humans. While there have been efforts to address this issue, toxic pollution in the Great Lakes remains a significant problem that requires further action and attention.
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What You'll Learn
Industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution
The Great Lakes, which span more than 750 miles from west to east, are one of the world's largest surface freshwater ecosystems. They represent about 84% of North America's surface freshwater and 21% of the world's supply of surface freshwater by volume. Despite their great size, the lakes are vulnerable to pollution from various sources, including industrial, agricultural, and urban activities.
Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution has been a significant issue for the Great Lakes for decades. In the past, factories dumped chemical pollutants, acids, iron, and oil wastes directly into the lakes or into the waterways that flowed into them, such as the Cuyahoga and Detroit Rivers. While there has been progress in recent decades due to the formation of organizations like the International Joint Commission (IJC), industrial pollution remains a concern. Toxic chemicals from industrial waste, including ammonia and cyanide, continue to find their way into the lakes through discharges and spills. Additionally, mining operations, particularly sulfide mining, threaten to destroy fish habitats and further pollute the lakes.
Agricultural Pollution
Agricultural pollution is another major contributor to the degradation of the Great Lakes. Excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the lakes through agricultural runoff and tile drainage systems. This leads to harmful algal blooms, which interfere with recreational activities and drinking water quality. In Minnesota, elevated nitrate levels in drinking water have already been observed, posing health risks to the population. Large-scale farming practices, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, also contribute to water contamination, impacting both drinking water sources and aquatic life.
Urban Pollution
The Great Lakes are also affected by urban pollution, particularly from the many cities and towns in their watersheds. Lake Erie, for example, collects wastes and chemicals from surrounding urban areas, including industrial waste and sewage. This pollution has led to the degradation of the lake's water quality and the decline of its wildlife. Additionally, urban runoff contributes to the excess nutrients that throw the ecosystem out of balance, leading to issues such as harmful algal blooms. Climate change further exacerbates these issues, with rising temperatures impacting water levels and making the lakes more susceptible to invasive species.
The cumulative effects of industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution have severely impacted the Great Lakes. While there have been efforts to address these issues, the persistent nature of certain pollutants and the ongoing pressures of human activities continue to pose challenges to restoring and protecting this vital freshwater ecosystem.
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Plastic pollution
The Great Lakes, which span over 500 miles across North America, are a vital source of freshwater. They provide drinking water for 40 million people and support biodiversity, recreation, and the fishing industry. However, these lakes are under serious threat due to plastic pollution, primarily in the form of microplastics.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, often less than 5mm in length, that originate from various sources, including the breakdown of larger plastics, industrial usage, and personal care products. These particles are pervasive in the Great Lakes, with researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology finding that more than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution enter the lakes annually. This plastic pollution has been detected in fish, drinking water, bottled water, and even beer.
The presence of microplastics in the Great Lakes poses a significant threat to the environment and public health. Wildlife, such as fish and birds, can mistake these particles for food, leading to ingestion and potential entanglement. Additionally, microplastics can absorb toxic chemicals and harbour microbes, further endangering the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. According to a University of Toronto study, 90% of water samples collected over the last decade contain microplastic levels that are unsafe for wildlife.
While beach cleanups and individual efforts to reduce plastic consumption are commendable, a more systemic approach is necessary to address the magnitude of the problem. Experts advocate for legislation and policies that reduce the production of single-use plastics and hold manufacturers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products. Concrete policy implementations, such as those seen in Illinois, which address plastic production, reuse systems, and data collection, are crucial steps toward mitigating plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.
The impact of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes extends beyond the ecosystem. With the lakes providing drinking water for a significant population, the potential health risks associated with microplastic ingestion are a growing concern. While the consequences are still being researched, some studies suggest that microplastics may affect brain development and reproductive systems. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize the protection of these freshwater ecosystems and address plastic pollution at its source.
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Water pollution
The Great Lakes have been heavily polluted by human activities since the late 1900s. The greater area of the Great Lakes Basin was used as a waste disposal site, with chemicals, toxic pollutants, pesticides, and heavy metals entering the lakes from various sources. These toxins are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, and damage to the nervous and immune systems, even in small concentrations. The pollution in the Great Lakes is mainly due to industrial, agricultural, and urban sources. Factories have dumped chemical pollutants, acids, iron, and oil wastes into the lakes and the waterways that flow into them. Agricultural runoff has also contributed to pollution, with fertilizers and pesticides from farms ending up in the water. In addition, sewage disposal and air pollution have further contaminated the lakes.
Lake Erie, in particular, has been severely impacted by pollution. By the 1960s, it was predominantly polluted, with dead fish appearing along its shoreline. The Cuyahoga River, which flows into Lake Erie, caught fire in 1969 due to the high levels of pollution, bringing national attention to the issue of water pollution. Lake Erie was also the first to show signs of severe eutrophication, a process where a lake becomes nutrient-rich and ages prematurely due to pollution.
Plastic pollution is another significant issue in the Great Lakes. More than 22 million pounds of plastic enter the lakes every year, and microplastics have been found in 90% of water samples taken over the past decade. These tiny plastic particles are ingested by wildlife and can impact their development, reproduction, and immune systems. They can also enter the human body through the consumption of contaminated fish. Climate change is also contributing to the problem, with increased temperatures leading to lower water levels and more frequent storms that cause sewage overflows.
While some efforts have been made to address water pollution in the Great Lakes, such as the Great Lakes Water Quality Act and the Clean Water Act in the 1970s, toxic pollution remains a significant problem. Experts emphasize the need for concrete policy implementation and individual action to reduce plastic consumption and protect this vital freshwater ecosystem.
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Air pollution
The Great Lakes, comprising Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, are a vital source of freshwater, accounting for nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater. However, human activities have significantly impacted the water quality of these lakes, with air pollution being a contributing factor.
Industrial activities along the shores of the Great Lakes have historically released chemical pollutants into the air, which eventually find their way into the water. This includes toxic substances such as heavy metals and pesticides. The lack of sufficient government oversight in the Great Lakes Basin has allowed these pollutants to go largely unregulated, resulting in their accumulation in the lakes over time.
Agricultural practices also contribute to air pollution affecting the Great Lakes. Fertilizers and pesticides used in farming can be carried by the wind and deposited onto lake surfaces. Additionally, agricultural runoff containing excess nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, further exacerbates the issue of algae blooms in the lakes.
While plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is predominantly associated with physical littering and wastewater, airborne microplastics can also be carried by the wind and deposited onto the lake surfaces. These microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic particles, can be inhaled or ingested by wildlife and potentially impact human health through the consumption of contaminated fish and drinking water.
Climate change, influenced by various sources of air pollution, is also having observable effects on the Great Lakes. Increased surface and water temperatures contribute to lower water levels through faster evaporation rates. Additionally, the increased frequency of severe storms and rainfall events leads to sewage overflows, further degrading the water quality of the Great Lakes.
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Eutrophication
Lake Erie, the shallowest and most southern of the Laurentian Great Lakes, has a large population of around 11.6 million people living in its basin. The lake and its surrounding areas are heavily influenced by human activities, including agriculture and industrial processes. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in nearby farmland has resulted in increased phosphorus levels in the lake, contributing to eutrophication. Additionally, the presence of numerous factories and industrial cities along the shores of Lake Erie has led to the discharge of chemical pollutants, acids, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into the lake.
The effects of eutrophication in Lake Erie became notably visible in the 1960s and 1970s. During this period, excess phosphorus from various sources caused nuisance algal blooms, reduced water clarity, and led to the formation of extensive hypoxic areas. The water quality deteriorated, and the lake's ability to support biological life was severely impacted. The phrase "Lake Erie is dead" started to appear in national publications during this time, reflecting the lake's deteriorating health.
In response to the eutrophication crisis, the United States and Canada took collaborative action through the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This agreement focused on reducing phosphorus loading in the lake. While initial management actions led to some improvements, the issues have persisted and even worsened since the mid-1990s. Factors such as climate change, agricultural practices, and weak lake circulation have contributed to the continued eutrophication of Lake Erie.
To address the ongoing challenges of eutrophication in the Great Lakes, particularly in Lake Erie, comprehensive and scientifically guided management plans are necessary. This includes implementing strategies to reduce nutrient loads, improving water circulation, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Additionally, individual actions, such as reducing plastic consumption and proper waste disposal, can help minimize the introduction of pollutants into the lakes. By combining policy implementation, regulatory measures, and collective efforts, there is a chance to restore and protect the Great Lakes, ensuring their ecological health and longevity for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Great Lakes are a set of five lakes in Canada and the United States, containing nearly 20% of the world's surface freshwater.
While there is no exact percentage, it is known that the Great Lakes are heavily polluted due to decades of industrial, agricultural, and urban pollution.
The Great Lakes are polluted through various means, including wastewater, air pollution, agricultural runoff, and plastic waste.
Lake Erie is the most polluted of the Great Lakes, largely due to the heavy industrial presence along its shores.
Pollution in the Great Lakes has led to habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and poor water quality. It has also impacted the health of wildlife and humans, with toxins causing cancer, birth defects, and damage to the nervous and immune systems.
