Great Lakes Pollution

Abstract

The most important thing that people in this region need to remember is that the Great Lakes are an important resource. People take advantage of the Great Lakes and treat them with disrespect. They show their disrespect by the waste and toxins that are dumped into the great lakes every year. We as humans need to protect one of the greatest resources we have. Water is needed by every living thing to survive. The Great Lakes are being polluted by the means of mercury. This chemical has polluted the water and it causes sickness in humans and fish. Low levels of mercury can be beneficial for humans but highly toxic if the amount of mercury is about the regular amount. The two biggest contributors to mercury spread are hospitals and run off. The biggest way to improve the Great Lakes would be to get rid of the waste centers and runoff dumps that release their waste into the Great Lakes. By doing this it would help to improve the Great Lakes health. It is the small decisions that we humans can make that would help to improve the Great Lakes health.

Great Lakes Pollution

On a typical summer day, the Great Lakes are filled with children who love to play in the hot sand and swim in the cool water when they go to the beach. No one knows why they enjoy it so much but they just do. Whether it’s the feel of the tiny grains between their toes or the pure joy that comes from creating a beautiful sand castle, they simply love the beach. However, this seemingly harmless activity becomes dangerous when one factor comes into play: pollution. “Over 34 million lbs (34,876,008lbs or 15,819,491 kg) of known reproductive/developmental toxins were released by 1,834 facilities in the Great Lakes basin.” Water pollution in the Great Lakes is becoming more and more of an issue. When people go to the beach they want to have fun and be able to relax. This is not possible when there are so many “dangers” like mercury in the water and runoff from a local business after the last rainstorm. In order to keep the environment healthy and safe, everyone must take action regardless of whether or not they are directly affected.

In order to understand how important it is to take action, it is necessary to understand just how crucial water really is. Every living thing needs water. Humans cannot survive without it. The Great Lakes provide a large geographical area with fresh water which is used in everyday activities like cooking and cleaning. They also supply people with a multitude of entertainment opportunities. Some people like to go to the beach to relax and get a nice tan. Others enjoy fishing, boating, or exercising while out at the Great Lakes. No matter what the use, these waters are taken advantage of by many. Because of this, pollution has become a larger problem.

One of the main pollutants