Chloride pollution of the Great Lakes

Chloride, often used as an indicator of pollution, has increased in concentration throughout the Great Lakes during the past century. To address concern over this increase, current estimates of chloride inputs and their effects were made. Chloride loads (in $10^{6}$ metric tons/y) were found to incr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal - Water Pollution Control Federation 1983-01, Vol.55 (5), p.513-521
Main Authors: Sonzogni, William C., Richardson, William, Rodgers, Paul, Monteith, Timothy J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chlorides
Ecological Effects
Freshwater
Lake water
Lakes
Lentic systems
Limnology
Phosphorus
Point sources
Tributaries
Water pollution
Watersheds
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Summary:Chloride, often used as an indicator of pollution, has increased in concentration throughout the Great Lakes during the past century. To address concern over this increase, current estimates of chloride inputs and their effects were made. Chloride loads (in $10^{6}$ metric tons/y) were found to increase in the order of Lake Superior (0.3). Michigan (0.9), Huron (1.1), Erie (3.7), and Ontario (6.3). Of late, chloride inputs, especially industrial inputs, have decreased, indicating progress in pollution control. Nevertheless, chloride inputs are still high compared to pre-1900 conditions. Chloride concentrations in the slow flushing upper Great Lakes are still rising. Of most concern is the projected build-up in Lake Michigan, where chloride concentrations are predicted to increase from 8 to nearly 20 mg/L under current loads. Although the ecological effects are not clearly established, elevated concentrations of chloride and associated ions (for example, ${\rm Na}^{+}$) have been linked to changing algal assemblages. Long-term research on conservative ion effects is therefore desirable; in the meantime, careful management of chloride and related wastes is recommended.
ISSN:0043-1303
2327-7467