restoring phosphorous balance in the Great lakes region

1. restoring phosphorous balance in the Great lakes region
2. Background

In the 1960s there emerged an issue regarding the quality of water in the great lakes region in particular lake Erie was perceived as a dying lake since the rapid growth of algae in the lake. The fast growth of algae is known as cultural eutrophication, and it is brought about by the excessive input of phosphorus in the water. By the late 1960s, both the countries within the great lakes area, namely the United States and Canada, came into an agreement that the limitation of phosphorous inputs into the great lakes and Lake Erie, in particular, was key to stopping and controlling the excessive growth of algae in the lake. The two nations also decided that the control of phosphorus deposits in the lake required a coordinated approach to tackle the issue. This call for action was the main focus of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement held in 1972. Due to the combined efforts to limit the levels of phosphorus in the lakes, the phosphorous levels gradually declined in the lakes during the 1970s and 1980s the task force was successful for a period of time until when the levels of phosphorous started increasing again during the mid 1990s, rapid algae growth started appearing again and phosphorous remains the main factor that is influencing algal growth in the great lakes region.

1. Analysis

The issue about restoring phosphorous balance in the Great lakes region is vital because when the phosphorous balance is lost, certain types of green-blue algae-like microcystins among other species produce harmful toxins that are harmful to both humans and animals. Phosphorous in excess leads to the formation of floating mats that are attached to algae that are usually very unattractive and spoil the environment`s appearance. Excess phosphorous also leads to the creation of green slimes and threads that typically produce a terrible odor. Furthermore, when algae die, they sink in the water and reduce the levels of oxygen in the water, and this, in turn, affects lifelike aquatic fish and other marine organisms. Another harmful effect of high phosphorus concentration in water is that in areas where high photosynthesis takes place, algae depletes all the dissolved inorganic carbon in the atmosphere during the day, and as a consequence the atmospheres pH rises to extreme levels, the heightened pH levels, in turn, blind the organisms that usually rely on interpreting dissolved chemical traces for survival by damaging their chemosensory abilities. An example of such an insect is the snail. When these organisms’ sensory functions are impaired, they can no longer function, and they ultimately die. All these factors are clear indications that the high level of phosphorus in lakes is an issue that should be tackled firmly. The problem of phosphorous management, although complicated, is still possible. It is complicated because the ecosystem is ever-changing, and this makes it hard to find a sustainable solution that can be relevant for a long time. The ever-changing ecosystem can be attributed to the rapid climate change experienced around the world. Climate change is caused by the emission of CFC gasses, improper waste disposal, deforestation, and human encroachment in water catchment areas. Evidence of climate change can be observed in the melting of glaciers and the rapid rate of global warming. Eutrophication can also be attributed to the frequent change in the ecosystem, and eutrophication is to be blamed for the constant changes in the aquatic structure in the great lakes region. This is because, during the period whereby phosphorus levels rise in the water, small zooplanktons usually tend to dominate other communities of planktons that are responsible for the aquatic balance, past studies have indicated that the balance of planktons in a water body is vital to the stability a marine ecosystem. All the factors listed above render the nutrient approaches that were deployed during the 1970s useless because the ecosystem is no longer the same.To keep up with the ever-evolving Great lakes ecosystem, the nutrient management system should also adapt to the ecosystem. New nutrient management tactics can achieve adaptation by investing heavily in research and the use of cyclical adaptive management models that will allow for a better understanding of ecosystem patterns and trends.

III. Summary and recommendations.

The widespread and the extent of the degradation of water quality within the great lakes region is majorly attributed to the excess amount of phosphorous in the water body. The increase in levels of phosphorous in water is called eutrophication. Eutrophication has posed a threat to the aquatic life in the great lakes region for a long time and continues to do so. Although Canada and the United States came together to pass legislation in 1972 to combat eutrophication, it continues to pose a threat due to the nature of the ever-evolving ecosystem. I firmly believe in the levels of phosphorus concentration. In water, bodies can be controlled by limiting the number of people who settle near water bodies. A study by Smith and Schindler in 2009 predicted that climate change and human population growth is highly attributed to the rampant degradation of water quality and quantity in numerous lakes. Therefore municipal councils or and other regulatory committees should try and restrict human activities near the great lakes region to conserve and preserve the already poor quality of water in the area. Although it is hard to pass such legislation since water bodies are natural resources that should be available to the public, it is a necessary evil to pass such legislation to attain water quality and quantity in the great lakes region. I also believe that investing more in research centers for scientists will enable them to come up with innovative solutions to combat the issue of the ever-rising phosphorous levels in the great lakes region. Besides, the collective coordination between the policymakers and citizens is also vital to enable them to work together as a team to help protect the environment by reducing activities that may lead up to climate change and controlling the human activities around the lake that impact negatively towards the ecosystem of the great lakes. I believe a combination of all these factors will make it able for the Great lakes region to control phosphorus levels in the lakes, and this will, in turn, stop the scourge of eutrophication that is diminishing the quality and quantity of water in the region. The control of eutrophication will also preserve the environment by allowing more organisms to thrive and will furthermore promote the beautification of the environment by getting rid of the ugly and odorous algae.

Citations

https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/eutrophication-causesconsequences-and-controls-in-aquatic-102364466/

http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/default.asp?lang=en&n=6201fd24-1