What killed Lake Erie? by Jeffrey Marsh Environ 111 Winter ‘06

“Dead”  In 1969 Lake Erie was proclaimed ‘dead’. Barely any natural life could survive, Seaweed and plant growth had taken over.  High growth levels and rates of growth for plants.

“Dead”  High growth of Plants led to Anoxia (lack of O2) High P  Plant Growth  Die  Decompose = Anoxia

“Dead” Anoxia caused a lack of Oxygen for Marine Organisms to survive- many species of fish died

How did it get this bad you ask?

Pollution of the Lakes Three Main causes lead to the effects on Lake Erie seen in the mid 20 th C- 1) Agricultural Runoff/ Raw Sewage ( ) 2) Phosphorous Contamination ( ) 3) Industrial/ Toxic Wastes ( )

Pollution of the Lakes 95 % water inflow, via Detroit river 95 % water inflow, via Detroit river North of Channel water is pristine, Below Lake St. Clare and Detroit Channel – Unsafe levels of pollution North of Channel water is pristine, Below Lake St. Clare and Detroit Channel – Unsafe levels of pollution High levels of- Phosphorus, B Coli (from raw sewage disposal), Toxic Heavy Metals, Pesticide, and Petroleum wastes High levels of- Phosphorus, B Coli (from raw sewage disposal), Toxic Heavy Metals, Pesticide, and Petroleum wastes This causes us to look at the point of contamination- the area Between Windsor and Detroit This causes us to look at the point of contamination- the area Between Windsor and Detroit

Pollution of the Lakes

Water Dilution is OK “In waterways where some pollution is inevitable and where the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of sewage is so large that no local nuisance can result, it is our judgment that the method of sewage disposal by dilution represents a natural resource and that the utilization of this resource is justifiable for economic reasons,” International Joint Commission

Water Dilution is OK Water Pollution was seen as Suspended Pollutants Bacterial, Chemical, and Metallic pollutants- Problem causing only if physically visible Attention to Human Health, lack of environmental concern

Water Dilution is OK At 1918 levels of B Coli from the IJC- At 1918 levels of B Coli from the IJC- 1,000 B. Coli in 1 cm3 (safe was considered 20/cm3)1,000 B. Coli in 1 cm3 (safe was considered 20/cm3) In 1946 levels at 3 times greater In 1946 levels at 3 times greater Industrial/toxic Waste grows with industry - In the 1951 IJC study levels of Industrial waste: Avg. two billion US Gallons/day into Lake Erie

Industry on the Detroit River:

The Visible Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Lights fire Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Lights fire Visibly green, mossy/slimy, and foul smelling Lake Erie ‘unpleasant’ Visibly green, mossy/slimy, and foul smelling Lake Erie ‘unpleasant’ Public took notice, declared for action Public took notice, declared for action

The Visible

1972- Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement -set standards to diminish P levels Acceptable levels of Commercial excretion of P were set Home detergents were rid of Phosphorous

The non-Visible The GLWQA was amended to set requirements for Toxic contaminants Currently we are still fighting a Battle for Lake Erie, and to Save the rest of our natural waters

Works Cited Read, Jennifer. ‘Detroit River: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow’. Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research. University Of Windsor Windsor, On. International Joint Commission. ‘Pollution of Boundary Waters Reference.’ Ottawa, Washington Online source: