By Amoal Brar

Background InformationConsisting of five fresh water lakes: Lakes

Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and OntarioWere created during the ice age when

enormous ice sheets carved and exposed the Canadian Shield and then created large depressions.

As the glacier receded melt water filled in these depressions which hold about 22% of the world’s fresh water.

The Great Lakes are surrounded by countless other small lakes, rivers, and forests.

BiomeThe Great Lakes region is surrounded by mainly

coniferous forests to the north and mixed forests in the south with more deciduous vegetation.

This region is usually very humid and receives moderate precipitation throughout the year. It gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

The area near the Great Lakes is moderated by the lakes which mean that it doesn’t get as cold or hot as areas that are farther away.

Why are the Great Lakes important?Over 35 million people live near the basin

and use its resourcesThe Great Lakes provide people with

drinking water, hydroelectricity, waste management, commercial shipping, and fish.

They generate tourism with their different wildlife, landscapes, and recreation opportunities.

The lake system contains many species of fish, birds, and animals.

PollutionMany parts of the lakes are so polluted they are considered Many parts of the lakes are so polluted they are considered

“dead zones” where little to no organisms can survive.“dead zones” where little to no organisms can survive.This is where pollution causes the formation of algae This is where pollution causes the formation of algae

which take up oxygen from other species.which take up oxygen from other species.The toxic material also gets into the fish which can cause The toxic material also gets into the fish which can cause

disease and mutation.disease and mutation.In the areas around the lakes there have been reports of In the areas around the lakes there have been reports of

increased cancer and infertility from eating the local fish.increased cancer and infertility from eating the local fish.Sources of pollution in the Great Lakes are industrial Sources of pollution in the Great Lakes are industrial

waste, chemical runoff from farms, leachate from waste, chemical runoff from farms, leachate from disposable sites, and raw sewage from surrounding disposable sites, and raw sewage from surrounding communities.communities.

The bacteria from the sewage is especially hazardous and The bacteria from the sewage is especially hazardous and it often causes beaches to be closed in the summer.it often causes beaches to be closed in the summer.

OverfishingFor many years the Native people of this area For many years the Native people of this area

have fished with sustainability.have fished with sustainability.With the increase of population and With the increase of population and

advancements in technology fish began advancements in technology fish began getting captured at a rate in which they could getting captured at a rate in which they could not replenish stocks.not replenish stocks.

Many species have been brought to the edge Many species have been brought to the edge of extinction through commercial and sport of extinction through commercial and sport fishing.fishing.

The once plentiful stocks of the local fresh-The once plentiful stocks of the local fresh-water whitefish are almost non existent water whitefish are almost non existent because of lack of fishing regulations over the because of lack of fishing regulations over the last few hundred yearslast few hundred years

Global WarmingClimate change will cause wetlands near the

lakes to be destroyed which threatens many animals.

Water levels in the lakes will continue to drop from evaporation and drought which in turn will cause shipping to be affected, damage to water quality, and for polluted sediments to be exposed.

2009 had the lowest water levels in 77 years.The warm water temperatures also harm the

fish and aquatic plant species that are used to freezing winter temperature.

ConstructionConstruction projects like dams, locks and

canals have altered the delicate ecosystems in the Great Lakes region.

The dams prevent fish from following their traditional spawning routes.

Flooding from dams causes animal habitat to be destroyed

Canals also disturb fish patterns and they cause fish to be diverted.

The Canals also allow predators like eels to get in the lakes

Foreign SpeciesThrough the building of canals and shipping

activity many foreign species have been introduced to the lake.

A new invasive species makes it way into the lake every 8 months

Predators like the lamprey eel have infested the water nearly killing entire populations of fish and throwing the food chain of balance.

Many non predators have caused problems as they cause a lack of food for natural species.

The biggest problem has been the zebra mussel which eats available food, takes up fish spawning areas, and clogs important piping.

It is estimated that it will cost more than $5 billion over the next decade to deal with the zebra mussel.

How to save the Great Lakes Both government and local individuals must take action to save Both government and local individuals must take action to save

this delicate system.this delicate system. We must regulate emissions and waste coming from industrial We must regulate emissions and waste coming from industrial

plants.plants. A solution is we could use the Zero Charge procedure in which A solution is we could use the Zero Charge procedure in which

waste water is reused instead of dumped into the lake.waste water is reused instead of dumped into the lake. Use of chemicals in the surrounding agricultural areas must be Use of chemicals in the surrounding agricultural areas must be

monitored carefully.monitored carefully. More sewage treatment plants must be built which are up to More sewage treatment plants must be built which are up to

standard and have the appropriate technology.standard and have the appropriate technology. It is very important that we stop the use of hydroelectric dams It is very important that we stop the use of hydroelectric dams

and transportation canals as they are severely crippling the and transportation canals as they are severely crippling the ecosystems.ecosystems.

Education of local people to stop using fertilizers, over fishing, Education of local people to stop using fertilizers, over fishing, and creating drainage pollution.and creating drainage pollution.

All of these measures cost money, but it is incredibly important All of these measures cost money, but it is incredibly important that we preserve these lakes as they are so important for so that we preserve these lakes as they are so important for so many reasons.many reasons.

Resourceshttp://www.greatlakesforever.org/http://www.great-lakes.net/envt/pollution/toxi

c.htmlhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nation

al/article783920.ecehttp://www.ijc.org/php/publications/pdf/ID15

68.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_LakesPlanet Earth- A Physical Geography

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