Great Lakes Water Quality

[Rosborne]

Food for thought my fellow Great Lakes divers. I may never dive in Humber Bay again.

Are the Great Lakes Really Full of Toxic Soup? | Robert Osborne


R.

 

[Doppler]

This situation (the condition of the lake water close to downtown Toronto) should not be a surprise to anyone.

 

[Rosborne]

I agree. The problem is the four studies I looked at covered the whole Great Lakes water system. That's really what gave me pause. I expect soup near Toronto, not in Tobermory.

This situation (the condition of the lake water close to downtown Toronto) should not be a surprise to anyone.

 

[Jared0425]

The water quality for the upper lakes has improved since the lows in the 1960s. I do not have much stats to back up my belief that Lakes Erie and Ontario have improved, but water quality and visibility has definitely been on the upswing since the EPA declared Lake Erie dead in 1970s. What a major concern is, is the massive algea blooms that we have been experiencing for the last 20 years due to unfiltered irrigation and poor water flow.

 

[Rosborne]

While the water clarity has improved because of a little invasive species called the Zebra mussel, I'm told that doesn't necessarily mean that the water quality has improved. In fact the point of the reports I read was to say that merely monitoring the chemicals that were a problem in the 60s is not a good indicator. Other chemicals have marched on to the scene that are just as deadly and we're not keeping track of them. At least that's what the reports suggest.

 

[Jared0425]

I see what you are saying. Zebra/ Quaggas also discharge a chemical that is hazardous to fish life. In the Manitou Islands off of Michigans west coast, they have creates a large dead zone in and around the wreck of the Three Brothers.

 

[scottwilson1]

I see what you are saying. Zebra/ Quaggas also discharge a chemical that is hazardous to fish life. In the Manitou Islands off of Michigans west coast, they have creates a large dead zone in and around the wreck of the Three Brothers.

Been to Tobemory 4 times ? this year and all I've seen is Gobi's of various sizes same for Wiarton. Doesn't help that they eat sport fish eggs

 

[Jared0425]

Northern Lake Huron and most of Lake Superior are too deficient in calcium to allow zebra mussel to grow. That's why Georgian Bay is a great way to see things that are not covered with them Gobies are an entirely different issue.