Bronte Wells
Lake Michigan is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the only one located wholly within the United States. It is a crucial source of drinking water for Chicago and contributes to fishing, tourism, and transportation. However, Lake Michigan faces significant environmental challenges due to pollution. The primary sources of pollution in Lake Michigan include plastic waste, agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and failing septic systems. The presence of microplastics, fertilizers, and toxic sediments in the lake has raised concerns about water quality and the potential impact on human health. Addressing Lake Michigan's pollution is essential to preserving the ecosystem and ensuring safe drinking water for the surrounding communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic | 11 million pounds of plastic dumped into Lake Michigan every year |
| Microplastics | Microplastics are so small that they can pass through water filtration systems and enter our bodies |
| Fertilizer | Fertilizer runoff from farming leads to harmful impacts on freshwater |
| Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) | Pollution sources include nonpoint sources from agriculture and pastures, land application of manure, and urban and rural runoff |
| Eutrophication | Excessive nutrient enrichment results in severe algal fouling, reducing available oxygen and leading to fish die-offs |
| Toxic Sediment | Carcinogenic and neurotoxic heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs, and other compounds contaminate the water and wildlife |
| Lead | Archaic water service lines contribute to lead pollution in drinking water |
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Plastic pollution
Lake Michigan is the second-largest of the Great Lakes, which span over 500 miles and contain 84% of North America's surface freshwater. The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater source on Earth. They provide drinking water for 40 million people and support crucial ecosystems and wildlife.
However, the Great Lakes have historically been threatened by pollution. Lake Erie, in particular, was predominantly polluted by the 1960s due to heavy industrial activity along its shores. Human activities such as farming and sewage have also contributed to the pollution of the Great Lakes.
Today, plastic pollution is a serious problem for the Great Lakes. According to the Rochester Institute of Technology, 22 million pounds of plastic pollution enter the Great Lakes annually, with Lake Michigan receiving the most at 11 million pounds. Plastic breaks down into toxic microplastic particles that contaminate the water. Microplastics are plastic particles under 5 millimeters in size, and they can pass through water filtration systems, eventually entering our bodies when we drink the water.
Microplastics have been found in Great Lakes fish, drinking water, bottled water, and beer. They pose a threat to public health, with studies showing that animals that come into contact with microplastics may experience developmental delays, reduced mental processing, infertility, and weakened immune systems. It is estimated that we ingest about a credit card-sized amount of plastic each week.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is working to combat plastic pollution through initiatives like the Adopt-a-Beach program, which has removed tens of thousands of pounds of trash, mostly plastic, from the Great Lakes shorelines. Solutions such as increasing access to water refill stations and banning microbeads in personal care products are also being implemented to reduce plastic pollution.
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E. coli bacteria
E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria that is used by the state of Michigan as a water quality indicator. It is a type of fecal coliform bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals and humans. The presence of E. coli in water indicates that there has been fecal contamination, which can come from sewage or animal waste. These wastes may contain harmful, disease-causing organisms that can infect humans through ingestion or skin contact, potentially resulting in illnesses such as gastroenteritis.
E. coli is commonly found in the waters of Lake Michigan, which is the second-largest Great Lake and the only one located wholly within the United States. The lake serves as a drinking water source for Chicago and contributes to fishing, tourism, and transportation in the region. However, the presence of E. coli and other pollutants in Lake Michigan is a growing concern.
The IDEM BeachAlert Monitoring and Notification System regularly monitors E. coli levels at beaches along Lake Michigan and notifies the public about contamination advisories and beach closures. Beach managers are required to issue an advisory or closure when E. coli levels exceed the Indiana single-sample maximum water quality standard of 235 colony-forming units (CFUs) per 100 milliliters (ml).
Several factors can contribute to the presence of E. coli in Lake Michigan. Combined sewer systems can overload during rainstorms, discharging raw sewage and polluted runoff into local waterways and beach areas. Additionally, untreated stormwater runoff from cities and rural areas can wash fecal waste from pets, wildlife, and farm animals into nearby storm drains, contaminating the lake.
The survival and population dynamics of E. coli in Lake Michigan are influenced by complex factors such as climate change, temperature increases, and precipitation pattern changes. Studies have shown that E. coli levels in the Milwaukee estuary and harbor following sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) and combined sewer overflow (CSO) events can range from 104 to nearly 105 CFU/100 mL, which are significantly higher than levels following rainfall alone.
To reduce the contamination of Lake Michigan by E. coli and other pollutants, efforts should focus on minimizing plastic usage, properly disposing of waste, and addressing sewage and stormwater runoff. Additionally, citizens can help protect beach water quality by cleaning up after their pets and avoiding feeding shorebirds.
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Eutrophication
Lake Michigan, the largest lake entirely within the United States, is also facing eutrophication issues. While it is known for its beautiful scenery, the lake's environmental situation is worsening. One of the major pollutants is plastic, with 11 million pounds of plastic dumped into the lake annually, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic fragments, can pass through water filtration systems and eventually enter our bodies when we consume water from the lake. Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan also includes disposable water bottles left behind by tourists, contributing to the microplastic issue.
Fertilizer runoff from farming is another significant contributor to eutrophication in Lake Michigan. Fertilizers contain high levels of nutrients that promote algae growth, leading to large dead zones in the lake. This problem is especially evident in Green Bay, where fertilizer runoff creates a large dead zone annually, as reported by the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Other sources of pollution in Lake Michigan include Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which is the primary cause of impairment in the lake, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Pollution sources include nonpoint sources from agriculture, pastures, land application of manure, and urban and rural runoff. Point sources, such as straight pipe discharges, home sewage treatment system disposal, and combined sewer overflow outlets, also contribute to the high levels of E. coli.
The health of Lake Michigan is crucial as it serves as a drinking water source and supports various industries, including fishing, tourism, and transportation. To address the eutrophication and pollution issues, it is essential to reduce plastic usage, properly manage waste, and implement better farming practices to minimize fertilizer runoff and E. coli contamination.
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Industrial waste
Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes that has been heavily polluted by human activities, including industrial waste. The lake collects wastes and chemicals of all kinds, including industrial waste and sewage. The bordering territories of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario have contributed to the lake's pollution.
Historically, factories dumped chemical pollutants into the lake and the waterways that flowed into it, such as the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Detroit River in Michigan. The lack of substantial government oversight in the Great Lakes Basin allowed waste, pesticides, fertilizers, and other industrial pollutants to contaminate the lake.
Today, industrial waste continues to be a significant issue for Lake Michigan. Toxic dumping grounds, such as the Grand Calumet River, still feed into the lake and contain harmful substances like PCBs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals (including mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and more), and oily residue. These contaminants pose a severe threat to both human and wildlife health.
Industrial facilities, such as the Hi-Mill Manufacturing Company, Northwestern Leather Co., and Liquid Disposal, Inc. (LDI), have been responsible for contaminating soil and groundwater with various toxins. Clean-up efforts have been implemented, but the legacy of industrial pollution in Lake Michigan persists, requiring ongoing maintenance and remediation.
Additionally, microplastics from industrial sources have been found in Lake Michigan. These microplastics can absorb chemicals and harmful bacteria, transferring them up the food chain as they are consumed by fish and other organisms. The presence of microplastics in the lake underscores the pervasive nature of industrial pollution and its impact on the ecosystem.
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Lead pollution
Lake Michigan is the second-largest Great Lake and is the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the primary source of drinking water for Chicago and contributes to various sectors such as fishing, tourism, and transportation.
The phase-out of leaded gasoline began in the 1970s due to efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency, and by 1995, lead was completely removed from gasoline used in road vehicles in the United States. This had a notable impact on reducing lead concentrations in Lake Michigan sediments. Sediment samples collected from Lake Michigan between 1994 and 1996 revealed lead concentrations ranging from below detection limits to 180 μg/g, with mean and median values of 70 μg/g and 64 μg/g, respectively. The Southern, Waukegan, and Grand Haven basins of Lake Michigan exhibited the highest surficial lead concentrations.
Despite these improvements, lead pollution remains a concern in Michigan, particularly in older communities with housing built before 1980, and especially before 1950. These older homes are more likely to contain lead paint and pipes, which can be significant sources of lead poisoning. Paint flakes and dust are the primary causes of lead poisoning in children, leading to severe health issues such as learning problems and stunted growth.
Additionally, urban areas in Michigan face elevated lead hazards due to automobile exhaust and industrial pollution. The presence of lead in the environment disproportionately affects communities of color and poor communities due to housing discrimination and income disparities. Black children living below the federal poverty line are at a significantly higher risk of lead exposure compared to their white and Hispanic peers.
The state of Michigan has also flagged over two dozen sites contaminated with toxic chemicals, including PFAS, which pose risks of stomach ailments, rashes, organ failure, and even death.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake Michigan is the drinking water source for Chicago and contributes to fishing, tourism, and transportation. The lake is polluted by plastic, microplastics, and fertilizer from farming. According to a recent study by the Rochester Institute of Technology, 11 million pounds of plastic are dumped into Lake Michigan every year.
The microplastics in the lake are so small that they can pass through water filtration systems and be consumed by humans. Plastic pollution on beaches can also damage tourism. Fertilizer runoff from farming can cause large dead zones in the lake, making the freshwater undrinkable.
Individuals can reduce plastic usage, avoid littering, and use refillable water bottles. The State of Michigan has identified a lack of maintenance of septic systems as the biggest problem with sewage treatment, and health officials are calling for uniform standards for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of on-site systems.
