Pollution in the Great Lakes
Through combined sewer overflow, agricultural and stormwater runoff, and various other paths, possible toxic contaminants find their way into coastal waters around the world. These toxins sink to the bottom of lakes, rivers, and oceans and accumulate in sedimentary deposits. Usually the concentration of toxins in the sediment is far greater than it is in the waters above. The dangerous aspect of this pollution is that changing weather patterns, high winds, and strong currents can disperse contaminants into the water where that accumulate in plant and animal tissue. Frequently, the build-up of contaminants in plant and animal tissue is in far greater concentrations than it is in the environment. Every year states across the U.S. declare "beach closings at rivers, lakes, and oceans due to disease causing microorganisms"(EPA 1). These areas are the victims of industrial effluents, sewage overflows, polluted storm runoff, and boating wastes. Swimming in areas with high levels of harmful bacteria, viruses, and various other pathogens can cause illnesses that range from a sore throat to meningitis or severe gastroenteritis(EPA 1). A major area of concern is the Great Lakes. Toxic pollutants plague this
This type of funding has been enforced in areas only where the evidence against polluters was overwhelming. Across the Great Lakes area, state and local health officials and environmental protection agencies are responsible for monitoring the quality of water at beaches and posting warning or closing signs when pollutant levels are too high. Eventually, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was established in 1972 and renewed in 1978. This work led to the widespread use of CDF's as a environmentally safe way of disposing of contaminated sediments. And biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem"(EPA 2). A third problem in the Great Lakes is a condition known as eutrophism. The EPA established the BEACH Program to provide a framework for local governments by which they could develop consistent and quality programs for their pieces of beach. Article IV of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 established that Canada and the United States should assume a mutual obligation to the boundary waters around the Great Lakes (IJC 2). Phosphorus exists in the soil as compounds of low solubility.
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