Pollution Lake Huron
Pollution in Lake Huron
Causes and Effects
Water pollution is defined as a change in the chemical, physical and biological health of a waterway due to human activity. Unfortunately, this definition applies to the waters of Lake Huron and have had a negative impact on the people who use and rely on this body of water.
There are several major causes for water pollution including point source pollution, non-point source pollution and atmospheric pollution. Point source pollution is defined as contaminants which enter a body of water and can be traced to a specific source, location and offender. Obviously, this type of pollution is easier to trace and manage. Non-point source pollution is defined as having contaminants that cannot be traced back to a single source or location. It may come from mulitple sources in small amounts but can become concentrated in a body of water. The last type is atmospheric pollution, also referred to as air pollution and is defined as gasses or solid particles such as soil which are found in the air and can settle in bodies of water.
The contanimants described above come from a number of sources including storm sewers, spills, landfills and can enter Lake Huron via variety of methods including atmospheric deposition, direct discharges and tributaries.
The effects on the economy are many and the most important one would the effects that these contaminants can have on human health. Pollutants that persist in the waters of Lake Huron can accumulate through the food chain in fish for instance. Frequent consumption of fish from these waters can cause high levels of toxic chemicals including DDT, dioxin, PCVs, etc. which have been attributed to reproductive problems, neurological disorders and cancers. Those with weakened immune systems should stay away from consuming fish from these waters. Other health issues can arise when drinking water becomes contaminated which can cause skin infections and
Causes and Effects
Water pollution is defined as a change in the chemical, physical and biological health of a waterway due to human activity. Unfortunately, this definition applies to the waters of Lake Huron and have had a negative impact on the people who use and rely on this body of water.
There are several major causes for water pollution including point source pollution, non-point source pollution and atmospheric pollution. Point source pollution is defined as contaminants which enter a body of water and can be traced to a specific source, location and offender. Obviously, this type of pollution is easier to trace and manage. Non-point source pollution is defined as having contaminants that cannot be traced back to a single source or location. It may come from mulitple sources in small amounts but can become concentrated in a body of water. The last type is atmospheric pollution, also referred to as air pollution and is defined as gasses or solid particles such as soil which are found in the air and can settle in bodies of water.
The contanimants described above come from a number of sources including storm sewers, spills, landfills and can enter Lake Huron via variety of methods including atmospheric deposition, direct discharges and tributaries.
The effects on the economy are many and the most important one would the effects that these contaminants can have on human health. Pollutants that persist in the waters of Lake Huron can accumulate through the food chain in fish for instance. Frequent consumption of fish from these waters can cause high levels of toxic chemicals including DDT, dioxin, PCVs, etc. which have been attributed to reproductive problems, neurological disorders and cancers. Those with weakened immune systems should stay away from consuming fish from these waters. Other health issues can arise when drinking water becomes contaminated which can cause skin infections and
References: www.great-lakes.net www.lakescientist.com www.safewater.org