You are here
Workgroups
Aquatic Invasive Species
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
Experts generally agree that invasion by aquatic invasive species (AIS) is one of the most challenging environmental issues facing the Great Lakes basin today. In 2010, 23.6 million dollars were spent on controlling sea lamprey, one of the most well known aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes. What makes the sea lamprey and other aquatic plants, animals, and microscopic organisms that we classify as AIS, such a problem? AIS are organisms that originate elsewhere and have been artificially introduced to new habitats like the Great Lakes, where they often harm natural ecosystems, our ability to use ecosystem resources, and even human health. These ecological impacts usually result in serious economic costs. Scientists have documented many effects of AIS on ecosystems, but don’t yet fully understand these effects due to the large number of AIS already in the basin and the complex interactions among species and ecosystems. Nevertheless, it is well understood that new AIS are continually arriving in the Great Lakes and are spread via a wide range of human activities. These activities include: ballast water from commercial shipping, recreational boating, fishing, fish markets, manipulation of waterways (i.e. canals) and the aquarium and water garden trade. Since humans are a big part of this problem, they can also be part of the solution, but as with most environmental issues, the solution is complex.
To continue reading, download the file below.
Beaches and Recreational Water Quality
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
With more than 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometres) of shoreline, the Great Lakes offer ample opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in beautiful surroundings. The region’s beaches and recreational waters also provide habitat for diverse wildlife and serve as powerful drivers of local economies.
Unfortunately, pollution from various sources sometimes gathers in these same areas, posing risks to public health and hurting local economies. The Great Lakes Basin is home to some 822 beaches that are monitored for water quality. Contaminated recreational waters have been linked to stomach, skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections. Recent research showed that reducing the number of beach advisories that warn swimmers of potential health effects could boost the region’s economy by $3 billion.
Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the United States are responsible for restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. An important aspect of this task is addressing microbiological contamination, including pathogens – either micro-organisms or viruses that can cause disease. High numbers of fecal bacteria and pathogenic organisms are among the reasons a beach may be closed.
To continue reading, download the file below.
Chemicals of Emerging Concern
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
Much ground has been gained in efforts to reduce Great Lakes pollution from industrial, municipal and agricultural sources. The term “chemicals of emerging concern” has come to characterize the increasing awareness of the presence in the environment of many chemicals used by society, and the risk that these chemicals may pose to humans and ecosystems. These include newly formulated chemicals and extremely tiny materials used in cosmetics, paints, electronics and other products, as well as chemicals used every day by households, farms, businesses or industry, such as fragrances, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. In the United States and Canada very few of these compounds have regulations governing their release into the environment and discharges from wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of contaminants to surface waters in the Great Lakes basin.
To continue reading, download the file below.
Fish Consumption
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
Fish are an important part of the human diet that provides essential fatty acids required for many critical health functions. They are a high-protein, low saturated-fat food source. However, fish are currently contaminated and are becoming contaminated with a growing list of toxic chemicals. These chemicals are disseminated into water and air from industry, transportation, urban areas, and agriculture. Chemical pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals, indirectly enter waterways from the soil and atmosphere and are directly discharged as industrial waste. These chemicals become suspended in the water and eventually adsorb onto sediment particles in rivers and lakes. Particles with chemical toxins can, in turn, be ingested by small organisms that live in the sediment and benthic fish. Through the process of bioaccumulation in the aquatic food chain, the chemical toxins are ingested by larger and larger fish. Most of these compounds become stored in the adipose tissue of fish, except for mercury and perfluoro chemicals, which are stored in the muscle tissue of fish. Eventually, human consumers of fish are exposed to these chemicals.
To continue reading, download the file below.
Harmful/Nuisance Algae
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
In the late 1960s, algae blooms were recognized as a serious problem in Lake Erie and other Great Lakes. They were primarily caused by excessive phosphorus in the lakes providing nutrients to algae and causing it to grow and foul beaches and other coastal ecosystems. Decomposing algae robbed oxygen from the lake and formed mats of muck that washed up on beaches. With the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, this severe eutrophication was addressed and greatly reduced by the 1980s. However, during the 1990s the problem returned and continues to impair all of the Great Lakes, except for Lake Superior. The resurgence of eutrophication has a more complex set of causes and is more problematic because toxic algae called Microcystis are becoming prevalent.
To continue reading, download the file below.
Nearshore Framework
Plain Language Report Summary
(use links at right to view online or to download the full report).
Recently, much work has been done on nearshore issues in the Great Lakes basin. This is due to an increased awareness of the importance of the nearshore to the ecosystem as a whole. As this work is being completed, it is becoming clear that assessment of the nearshore is a larger challenge than previously thought. A new emphasis on the nearshore is emerging through efforts from a variety of agencies and organizations in both Canada and the United States. As pointed out in the Nearshore Framework Work Group’s 2009 report (2009 Report), emphasis on the nearshore and upstream influences is consistent with ongoing efforts of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) and Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs). The problems of assessing and managing the nearshore may benefit from an Adaptive Management (AM) approach. This report summarizes work done by the Nearshore Framework Work Group as part of the 2009-2011 Priority Cycle to assess the application of AM in a nearshore context, summarize recent science activities in the nearshore, identify potential gaps that should be addressed, and suggest ways to conduct a detailed gap analysis and steps for a comprehensive assessment of the nearshore.
To continue reading, download the file below.
