Algae is a quickly spreading
problem for many, especially in Lake Erie. The algae growth on Lake Erie has
increases greatly in the past 2 years. Previously, Lake Erie was bringing in 5
million walleye per year, but in past years the lake has struggled to bring in
1 million. In its worst year, 2011, more than 1/6 of the entire lake was
covered in thick algae. These recent outbreaks in algae can be attributed to
spring rain. Algae feed on phosphorus, a common chemical found in fertilizers.
In the spring, the rain produces run off, which eventually makes its way into
the lake. In the 1970’s to 1980’s Lake Erie saw a similar problem due to
climate change, poor sewage system, and factory pollution. With a combined
effort between Canada and the U.S., a large effort was made to cut the
pollution, and the algae problem subsided. Recently, due to more climate change
and changing weather patterns, the problem is reemerging. In this region, 2011
was the wettest spring on record, creating massive run off, and in turn,
massive algae outbreaks. The problem today it that farmers already are using
eco-friendly products and better farming techniques, farmers are at a loss on
how to improve. This is affecting the ecosystem by creating a dead zone, a
place where there is limited oxygen. The dead algae sink to the bottom of the
lake, where the decomposers are using all the oxygen to break it down. This is
leading to a rapid decline in all organisms in the lake. Nobody is certain of Lake Erie’s future, but
we do know what something better happen sooner than later.
NOS Themes:
·
Science is based on evidence - there is no
doubting that Lake Erie is being negatively affected by algae.
·
Science is collaborative – a collaborative
effort is needed to help clean up Lake Erie.
·
Role of motivation and curiosity – The algae
outbreak has heavily motivated the science community to find a solution.
 |
| An overhead view of Lake Erie |
Rachel Nelson, Gabel - Hour 1
This is a very scary thought, and I know I am bothered by it because of the threat the same thing could happen to lakes everywhere, including the 10,000 we have in our backyards. I read an article about that at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.seagrant.umn.edu/newsletter/2008/08/harmful_algae_in_minnesota_lakes_when_in_doubt_stay_out.html
THis was a really interesting, although sad, article. I feel like since Lake Erie is closish to us, we have a certain responsibility to at least be informed about what is going on. I've never fully understood exactly what a dead zone is, so I found an article that explains it in basic terms. I found it actually really helpful.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/d/dead_zone_(ecology).htm
I did my video project on the subject of the dangers of overuse of fertilizers. People use too much of it and it runs off. This has a dangerous effect on the entire food system. The algae has too much food so its population skyrockets. This will eventually increase the populations of the consumers, but the algae also creates algae blooms. These get so thick that they blot out light to lower layers of the lake. This can kill off a producer in that area and the chain reaction happens.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/default.asp?lang=En&n=6201FD24-1