Environmental Contaminants Research
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes cover about 94,000 square miles in the United States and Canada, collectively comprising 20% of the world's surface fresh water. Although huge, the lakes and surrounding basin are vulnerable to contaminants transported through the air from around the world. Once they enter the Great Lakes, many of these contaminants will remain in the system for extended periods. (It takes about 200 years, for example, for water to "flush" through Lake Superior). Scientists, policy makers, and the public are concerned because many contaminants are toxic and may pose risks to human and environmental health.
There are 362 contaminants in the Great Lakes that have been found in measurable amounts. However, only 11 contaminants are deemed critical or priority pollutants by the Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC, created by the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, advises the U.S.and Canada on water resource issues.
Critical pollutants are found in levels that impair specific beneficial uses because of their presence in the lakes and ability to bioaccumulate. Impaired beneficial uses include restrictions on dredging, algal blooms, beach closings, loss of habitat and degradation of species in or around the lakes.
Science Services is currently engaged in the following research related to Great Lakes contaminants:
- Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggs of Wisconsin cormorants [157K, .pdf file]
- Effects of contaminant exposure on top predator populations
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