Widespread Plastic Pollution Found in Great Lakes Tributaries. “Nurdles” scattered on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Muskegon. Read the full story by WDET – Detroit, MI. But plastic pollution is also affecting the Great Lakes. And plastic from Chicago often crosses Lake Michigan and ends up on Michigan beaches. There’s been a lot of news about the amount of plastic debris in the oceans. Scientists find more complexity in microplastics polluting the Great Lakes. In this study, the magnitude, distribution, and common polymers of microplast … You may see more trash in the Great Lakes this summer due to a group purposely dumping plastic bottles into Lake Ontario, but there's more to the littering than it seems. “The results in southern Lake Michigan really drive home the need for more research on plastic pollution in the Great Lakes,” said Laura Kammin, IISG pollution prevention program specialist and part of the 2013 sampling team. This ecosystem starts in Lake Superior, the largest, most remote, and least densely populated of all five of the Great Lakes. The new mathematical model using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data has discovered 80 percent of the plastic pollution sinks while the other 20 percent gathers on the shoreline or breaks down into micro plastics. According to Science Daily, research carried out by the Rochester Institute of Technology, found that virtually 10,000 metric tons or 22 million pounds of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year. And, it never really goes away. NOAA is studying if microplastics can be added to the suite of chemicals monitored by the MWP. The plastic pollution that is already in the Great Lakes moves around with the currents, and it eventually reaches land. An estimated 10,000 tonnes of plastic pollution enter the Great Lakes each year. One of the biggest challenges now facing the Great Lakes is pollution from plastic. One of the more concerning issues they have with plastic pollutants is the newly discovered presence of nearly microscopic, fine plastic fibers in the lake. The Illinois Environmental Council, the Alliance for the Great Lakes and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium in a press release called on elected officials, businesses and citizens to “pass on plastic whenever possible and help reduce plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.”. Great Lakes Plastic Pollution. The amount of plastic that enters Lake Michigan alone each year is equivalent to 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles, a study finds. Michigan teen turns plastic thrown in the Great Lakes into clothing. Lake Michigan’s water is already full of plastic that has broken apart into microfibers. Assuming that plastic simply moves with currents, we see that a large proportion of it is predicted to sink to lake bottoms. Figure 3 shows the results of the first ever survey for plastic pollution within the open-waters of the Great Lakes, work conducted in 2012. The bill would increase industry participation in solutions, incentivize innovation to reduce single-use plastic and support next generation waste management infrastructure at the local and state level. Half of the plastic dumped into the Great Lakes—11 million pounds—goes into Lake Michigan. Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes 5 Ways Plastic Pollution is Different in the Great Lakes: Ocean Plastic vs.Great Lakes Plastic Pollution View Source: Alliance for the Great Lakes 2018 State of the Great Lakes - The Perils of Micro Pollution: Dr. Sherri A. Mason gives a talk about plastic pollution and microplastics in the Great Lakes. “No amount of plastic in the lakes is acceptable,” Mason said. More than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution end up in the Great Lakes every year, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology. That’s why Mason and her team conducted the study this summer. Lakewide Action and Management Plans for each lake. ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The future of fashion is plastic, 16 bottles at a time. This applies to everything from shredded grocery bags on a riverbank and sunken powerboats at the bottom of Lake Michigan to microscopic threads of plastic in our drinking water. People who live along Lake Saint Clair have complained about the discharge of partially treated sewage. Yes, plastics pollution is encroaching on the Great Lakes, too. One of the biggest challenges now facing the Great Lakes is pollution from plastic. Release Date: September 14, 2016. Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan represents approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake every year. INTRODUCTION The accumulation of plastic debris in nature is “one of the most ubiquitous and long-lasting recent changes to the surface of our planet” 1. The Great Lakes and Lake Michigan have complex ecosystems, which are at risk from pollution including micro plastic, trash, fertilizer runoff, algae blooms and … In 2016, researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology found that 22 million pounds of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year from the United States and Canada. Then it washes up on shore, making up about 80 percent of the litter on beaches. Sharon Oosthoek, Great Lakes Now. Joining together, taking action today, we can make a difference and keep Lake Michigan healthy and vibrant and make an overall positive impact on our environment.” About 22 million pounds of plastic including straws, drink lids and single-use plastic bags flow into the Great Lakes each year, according to the IEC. Lakes Huron and Superior had similar amounts of plastics. EPA has made clean up and restoration of the Great Lakes a major priority. Since then, plastic production has became cheaper and easier with a variety of applications leading to the ubiquity of plastics, and plastic pollution, that we see today. Roughly 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year, half of which enters Lake Michigan, according to estimates calculated by the Rochester Institute of Technology. From all sources, a whopping 22 million pounds of plastic pollution enters our Great Lakes every year (1). Bindu Bhakta, Michigan State University Extension, Lisa Appel, Cranbrook Institute of Science - March 4, 2015. But despite its relative remoteness, we found evidence of plastic pollution in all 187 samples we collected for a 2014 study. And plastic from Chicago often crosses Lake Michigan and ends up on Michigan beaches. CHICAGO (January 4, 2018) – Local elected officials, alongside leaders from Shedd Aquarium, Alliance for the Great Lakes and Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), announced today a joint resolution to take on the nationwide fight against plastic pollution in local waterways in 2018. The Great Lakes Have Become A Dumping Ground For Millions Of Pounds Of Plastic. Tiny pieces of harmful plastic, called microplastics, are prevalent in many rivers that flow into the Great Lakes, according to a study published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Since plastic hit the consumer markets in the 1950s, 60% of plastic … Plastic microbeads, wrappers, pellets, and foam were also found all across southern Lake Michigan. Ocean plastic pollution is … Nonpoint source pollution is the single largest source of water quality problems in the U.S. Sources may include: ... Lake Michigan Coastal Program jeorsburn@dnr.IN.gov (W) 219-983-9912 (C) 219-508-6653. Most of the pollution that enters our waterways is a result of domestic use – specifically single use disposables, such as straws, cups, lids, take-out containers and plastic cutlery. Exhibit at the Cranbrook Institute of Science helps individuals understand the global and local nature of plastic pollution and also offers solutions. Studies have found up to 17,000 plastic particles per square kilometer in Lake Michigan. With millions of pounds of plastic entering Lake Michigan annually, conservationists are pushing for changes at all levels to address the problem. That's the business model for … Their research is the first estimate of the total plastic pollution entering the Great Lakes system each year and builds on site surveys of plastic contamination previously conducted in areas around the lakes. A study out of the Rochester Institute of Technology estimates 22 million pounds of plastic debris enters the Great Lakes from the U.S. and Canada each year. Lakes Huron and Superior had similar amounts of plastics. Fighting for plastic-free water. France this month became the first country in the world to ban plastic plates and utensils. Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan is approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake every year, Hittinger said. Lake County; Porter County ... Baja peninsula that are trying to mitigate plastic waste pollution. Plastic makes up roughly 80 percent of … But unless something is done now with the potential pollution of Lake Michigan, it could become like Lake Erie, which at this time could be classified as a dead sea, an inland sea. Researchers said that Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit are the worst contributors to the plastic pollution. “About 22 million pounds of plastic flow into the Great Lakes each year,” the Illinois Environmental Council’s Jennifer Walling said … Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan is approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake every year, Hittinger said, whereas the yearly amount of plastic in Lake Ontario equates to 28 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles. There’s been a lot of news about the amount of plastic debris in the oceans, but plastic pollution also affects the Great Lakes. A mylar balloon floats in the waters of Lake Michigan (September 23, 2018). Assuming that plastic simply moves with currents, we see that a large proportion of it is predicted to sink to lake bottoms. As plastic pollution breaks down in the Great Lakes, microscopic pieces of plastic are found in the lakes and even treated drinking water. Pollution is causing toxic algal blooms and an abundance of plastic contamination in the water and along the shore. Water entering the lake circulates slowly and tends to remain for nearly a hundred years (Beletsky et al., 2006) before discharging to Lake Huron, which can also allow for a more even distribution of plastic pollution across the lake surface. Lake Erie is second, with about 5.5. Plastic pollution. July 30, 2013 / 10:41 AM / AP. Mike Shriberg, Ph.D. Mike Shriberg, the Great Lake Regional Center (GLRC) Regional Executive Director, first came to the regional office after serving as the Policy Director at the Ecology Center, as the Education Director at the Graham Institute, and as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan's Program in the Environment and Earth & Environmental Sciences. Footer. One could easily say all of them are, since stopping them could lead to significant improvements the lake and the creatures in it, including the people around it, too. The answer, however, is the plastic pollutants. Raw sewage can adjust the ecology, causing blooms of life that tip the balance, but once stopped, can naturally recover. Much of the plastic comes from littering or improper waste disposal. Nearly 80 percent of all litter along Chicago beaches is plastic waste, according to RIT’s research. Over time, plastic in the lake breaks down into extremely small pieces of plastic debris known as microplastics. When the weather gets colder in Chicago, fewer people visit the beach; though you will still find plastic pollution along the shores of Lake Michigan. Mike Shriberg, Ph.D. Mike Shriberg, the Great Lake Regional Center (GLRC) Regional Executive Director, first came to the regional office after serving as the Policy Director at the Ecology Center, as the Education Director at the Graham Institute, and as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan's Program in the Environment and Earth & Environmental Sciences. Matthew Hoffman, the lead author of the Rochester Institute of Technology estimate, said population centers like Chicago and Milwaukee are large contributors to plastics pollution in Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan has the most marine debris, with 11 million pounds. As a consequence, microplastic particles are found in Great Lakes surface water, sediments, and fish. Plastic pollution in an Illinois waterway. Best … 2 Data from surveys conducted in 2013 in Lakes Michigan, Ontario and Erie were also presented. Joining together, taking action today, we can make a difference and keep Lake Michigan healthy and vibrant and make an overall positive impact on our environment.” About 22 million pounds of plastic including straws, drink lids and single-use plastic bags flow into the Great Lakes each year, according to the IEC. Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan is approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake every year, Hittinger said, whereas the yearly amount of plastic in Lake Ontario equates to 28 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles. There were also lots of unidentifiable bits of plastic in the water and on the shore. The amount of plastic that enters Lake Michigan alone each year is equivalent to 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles, a study finds. We do not want that to happen. The annual amount of plastic that enters Lake Michigan … Invasive species are wreaking havoc on the natural ecosystem. Much of it — including fast-food straws, cigar tips and plastic bottle caps — comes flushed from streets, through storm drains and into the lake. Microplastic Beads Pollute Great Lakes. This contamination extends to our local sportfish and drinking water. Commitments and partnerships have long been formed between the United States and Canada to keep the Great Lakes region vital for the area's millions of people and its rich array of species and habitats. Lake Erie comes in at number two, receiving 5.5 million pounds. Among these three examples, which one is the major problem in Lake Michigan? “We know that plastic pollution never goes away, right, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces,” Caddick said. Shedd says that plastic pollution in lakes and rivers has been measured at levels equal to or higher than in oceans, and that there are an estimated one billion plastic particles floating on the surface of Lake Michigan alone. The Great Lakes are world-famous for their … 5 Gyres Institute, with researchers from the State University of New York-Fredonia (SUNY-Fredonia), are spending August accumulating detailed samples from Lake Michigan in order to determine the surface density of plastic pollution, the type of plastics found and the chemical uptake of persistent organic pollutants absorbed by plastic. Reuse by choosing reusable alternatives over plastic, like water bottles or reusable grocery bags. Spread the word by sharing this information with friends and family, and urging them to keep plastic pollution out of the Great Lakes too. Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is going to get worse unless we do something about it. Plastic pollution in Lake Michigan is approximately the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized pools full of plastic bottles dumped into the lake every year, Hittinger said, whereas the … Lake Erie comes in second with 5.5 million pounds of pollution, followed by Lake Ontario with 1.3 million pounds. One study out of the Rochester Institute of Technology estimates 22 million pounds of plastic debris enters the Great Lakes from the U.S. and Canada each year. MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The average American throws away about 185 pounds of plastic a year, and millions of tons of it goes into the ocean. Technical Documents 1.1. View Source: The City Club of Cleveland Whether we’re talking about marine debris, microplastics, or plastic pollution, the fundamental issue is the same: human materials showing up where they shouldn’t be. Masses of plastic particles found in Great Lakes. These 29 tributaries flow directly into the Great Lakes. One aspect of the nonpoint coordinator position is to provide technical assistance to government and regional and nonprofit organizations for the implementation and support of nonpoint management measures. PLASTIC POLLUTION However, it’s only been in the last decade that research into plastics pollution has gained urgency in the Great Lakes, the planet’s largest system of freshwater. Plastic debris makes up about 80% of the litter on Great Lakes shorelines. Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, known as marine ecosystem value, cost society up to $2.5 trillion per year. While plastic pollution in marine and freshwater systems is an active area of research, there is not yet an in-depth understanding of the distributions, chemical compositions, and fates of plastics in aquatic environments. (Bridge photo by Kelly House) May 4, 2021. Awareness of plastic pollution is on the rise worldwide. Population centers like Milwaukee help contribute to the concentration of plastic in Lake Michigan. A scientist filtered the tiny plastic balls, shown in vials, from each of these tubes of skin cleanser. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 was recently introduced in Congress, and we need your help to move it forward. 1. This study, a collaboration between NOAA MWP, Loyola University Chicago, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, is using invasive mussels as a monitoring tool for estimating the distribution and abundance of microplastic pollution in the Milwaukee Estuary and Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tiny pieces of plastic were found in abundance in Lake Erie during a sampling cruise in 2012. Plastic pollution is not only affecting the oceans but also the Great Lakes. Studies have found up to 17,000 plastic particles per square kilometer in Lake Michigan. The new mathematical model using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data has discovered 80 percent of the plastic pollution sinks while the other 20 percent gathers on the shoreline or breaks down into micro plastics. (Stacey Wescott, Chicago Tribune) Tiny strands of plastic are turning up in alarming numbers throughout Lake Michigan, raising concerns about a previously unknown form of pollution … Identifying and reducing that pollution at its sources upstream is the only way to reduce it. Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes I. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground, picking up pollutants along the way. The waters of southern Lake Michigan were found in 2013 to contain three times as much microfibre pollution as samples taken from elsewhere in the Great Lakes. But there’s also plastic accumulating in the Great Lakes. A study from the Rochester Institute of Technology estimates 22 million pounds of plastic debris enters the Great Lakes from the U.S. and Canada each year. Nurdles are the small plastic pellets which are melted down to produce plastic products, and are a common type of microplastic. According to Science Daily, research carried out by the Rochester Institute of Technology, found that virtually 10,000 metric tons or 22 million pounds of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year. Indiana Clea… Credit: Courtesy 5 Gyres Institute. We look forward to filling the gaps where technical assistance is lacking in areas such as statistics and ecological economics. Next summer, they aim to continue their work by sailing Lake Michigan. But plastic pollution is also affecting the Great Lakes. What’s more, plastic particles attract chemical pollutants and carry them around. Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is the focus of an upcoming forum and lecture. The study found that more than half of the plastic pollution entering the Great Lakes goes into Lake Michigan, followed by lakes Erie and Ontario. Sherri "Sam" Mason, a professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia who led the first-ever Great Lakes plastic pollution survey in July, found Lake Erie is teeming with plastic pieces. The new mathematical model using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data has discovered 80 percent of the plastic pollution sinks while the … The Shedd’s program is supported by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration program. At Duck Lake, there were thousands of pieces of plastic ranging from shopping bags, to plastic forks and spoons and drinking straws. Polystyrene boxes and plastic utensils at local restaurants are convenient, to be sure, but they’re trashing the local environment, including the waters of Lake Michigan. They say they are tired of seeing their beaches closed. Lake Michigan is the most polluted in terms of plastic concentration, with 5,000 metric tons per year. Lesser amounts of microplastics were found in Lake Superior and Lake Huron, but such pollution … PLASTIC POLLUTION Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes 5 Ways Plastic Pollution is Different in the Great Lakes: Ocean Plastic vs.Great Lakes Plastic Pollution View Source: Alliance for the Great Lakes 2018 State of the Great Lakes - The Perils of Micro Pollution: Dr. Sherri A. Mason gives a talk about plastic pollution and microplastics in the Great Lakes. Septic Smarts and the Clean Water Ambassador Program 1.1. The sky is blue and the Lake Michigan water is beautiful, but it’s windy and a … Nearly 10,000 metric tons, or 22 million pounds, of plastic pollution are entering the Great Lakes every year, according to researchers at New York's Rochester Institute of Technology. View Source: The City Club of Cleveland Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan … Plastic pollution. Fish — and ultimately humans — eat it. This statistic shows the plastic pollution entering the Great Lakes annually in North America based on a study published in 2016. Plastic Debris Is Getting Into the Great Lakes, Our Drinking Water, and Our Food. Like asbestos fibers, it can get stuck into a marine animal’s lungs and gills, causing slow but sure death. The Great Lakes Have Become A Dumping Ground For Millions Of Pounds Of Plastic. Sherri "Sam" Mason, a professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia who led the first-ever Great Lakes plastic pollution survey in July, found Lake Erie is teeming with plastic pieces. In addition to trash that can drift into the water from beaches, wastewater treatment facilities are significant sources of microplastics. The July survey is a joint venture between SUNY Fredonia and 5 Gyres, a research institute dedicated to the maritime study of plastic pollution. Please check back regularly for helpful technical documents. They … Rios says those chemicals are “toxic for aquatic organisms, toxic for you, toxic for me, for everybody.” Plastic pollution in our Great Lakes: The science that can inform solutions. In 1907, the first fully synthetic plastic was developed, marking a new milestone for the environment – a society free from reliance on natural resources such as wood and metal. The plastic turns into kind of a magic carpet, giving PCBs and DDT and dioxins a ride through the lake. Michigan lawmakers are … U.S. consumers generate an average of 220 pounds of plastic waste per person each year, the highest rate in the world. There’s too much plastic in the oceans, we all know that. Lake Michigan, at the present time, is still not labeled as, and does not deserve the title of, being polluted.
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