Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one primary way pollution from the air affects watersheds?
What is one primary way pollution from the air affects watersheds?
How long can water in Lake Superior remain before it exits the lake?
How long can water in Lake Superior remain before it exits the lake?
What approach is emphasized as the best way to deal with pollution?
What approach is emphasized as the best way to deal with pollution?
What kind of pollution are Canada and the United States primarily working to manage?
What kind of pollution are Canada and the United States primarily working to manage?
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Which factor contributes to the difficulty of removing polluted sediment from lakes and rivers?
Which factor contributes to the difficulty of removing polluted sediment from lakes and rivers?
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What significant environmental change happened to Lake Erie by 1991?
What significant environmental change happened to Lake Erie by 1991?
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What was the primary focus of the first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
What was the primary focus of the first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
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Which of the following pollutants was banned as a result of new laws aimed at improving Great Lakes water quality?
Which of the following pollutants was banned as a result of new laws aimed at improving Great Lakes water quality?
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What environmental condition is associated with non-point-source pollution in the Great Lakes?
What environmental condition is associated with non-point-source pollution in the Great Lakes?
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How did the bald eagle population benefit from the cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes?
How did the bald eagle population benefit from the cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes?
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Study Notes
Great Lakes Pollution and Cleanup
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Dr. Seuss's book The Lorax reflected the pollution concerns of the 1960s and 1970s regarding Lake Erie. A passage about the poor water quality in Lake Erie was removed in later editions due to improvements.
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A 1972 agreement between the US and Canada aimed to clean up the Great Lakes ecosystem. Initial efforts focused on point-source pollution (pollution from a single source).
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Stricter laws limited pollutants like phosphorus and other chemicals released by factories and sewage plants. Detergents were reformulated, and industrial discharge of oil and other pollutants was restricted.
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Harmful chemicals like PCBs and DDT were also banned, contributing to environmental improvements.
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The Cuyahoga River, once prone to catching fire, improved. Algae blooms decreased, and water quality rebounded. Decreasing DDT also impacted wildlife such as bald eagles.
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Lake Ontario is a major source of drinking water for much of Ontario, Canada.
Non-Point Source Pollution
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Non-point source pollution (pollution from many sources, like rain runoff) is a significant modern challenge regarding the Great Lakes.
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Runoff carries pollutants from soil, industrial/construction sites, and old toxic waste dumps into the lakes.
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Air pollution (like mercury from coal burning) is another significant problem, contaminating water and entering the food chain. Mercury and other pollutants from air are falling into waters.
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Toxic sediment at the bottom of lakes and rivers is a major concern. This sediment is difficult and costly to remove.
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Lake Superior (the largest and deepest Great Lake) has extremely long water retention times, meaning pollutants stay in the lake for a very long time.
Solving the Problem
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Preventing pollution is seen as the best approach.
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Education programs encourage the use of fewer harmful chemicals in industry and farming, and the increased use of environmentally safer products.
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Description
This quiz explores the significant pollution issues facing the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie, and the legislative efforts aimed at cleaning the ecosystem. It covers historical concerns stemming from toxic pollutants and the restoration of water quality over the decades. Evaluate your knowledge on environmental policies and their impact on aquatic health.
