Pollution Damaging Lake Michigan

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Lake Michigan has become extremely polluted. Sewage, Mercury, and other toxins are responsible for the decay of the fifth largest lake in the world. Partly contributing to the increase in pollution are methods used by large power plants which disrupt the ecosystem greatly.

Lake Michigan has become the disposal site for sewage. This causes the growth of bacteria to increase. Harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and enterococci has been found in the Great Lakes, according to the University of Michigan. Exposure to E. coli bacteria causes an infection including symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, and possible nausea or vomiting, according to Mayo Clinic. Overall contaminated water illnesses include gastrointestinal, skin, and ear symptoms.

BP has dumped an excessive amount of pollutants, including Mercury, Ammonia, and suspended solids into Lake Michigan. The Chicago Tribune claims, “BP, one of the world’s biggest companies, dumps nearly 20 times more toxic mercury into Lake Michigan than federal regulations permit.”

According to a study conducted by the Chicago Tribune, Indiana has permitted the large company to dispose of the pollutants in order to expand the refinery. In 2007, the Illinois Congressional Delegation set out in order to stop the pollutants from entering Lake Michigan. BP agreed to obey harsher restrictions. Indiana environmental regulators absolved BP of compliancy allowing them to continue dumping 18 times more waste.

Power Plants intake water from the Great Lakes in order to cool their machinery. In doing so, large amounts of fish die from the suction and heat inside the plants, according to the Chicago Tribune. These power plants then release the water back into the lakes up to 30 degrees warmer, disrupting the ecosystem by causing oxygen depleting algae, killing fish and destroying beaches.

Arrowhead sophomore Julia Shepard says, “Pollution is very bad and can ruin the beauty of our Great Lakes. We should take care of them because they are one of a kind.”