The Great Lakes

As a result of my latest excursion up to Bayfield, WI  (which is located on Lake Superior), I have decided to dedicate a post to our Great Lakes.  Yes, they are fresh water and not oceans, but they are MASSIVE bodies of water that plastic can just as easily collect in, as our seas.  To put this into perspective, together, they make up 21% of the worlds surface fresh water.  That's huge!  Their ecosystems are just as important and ought to be talked about!

For those of you that don't know, (perhaps I have some international readers??), the Great Lakes are made up of Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, and Lake Huron.  They are located in the Midwest of the United States and, actually, Lake Michigan is the only one that is completely bordered by the US.  Otherwise, the lakes share borders with Canada.  The waters of these lakes are beautiful.  On certain days, their waters can be crystal clear - almost on par with Lake Tahoe (another beautiful body of fresh water).  It is important to keep them this way!

Can you name the Great Lakes?

In comparison to our oceans, these lakes are small.  And they are, in some cases, surrounded by cities on all edges.  Now you would think that this would create a lot of pollution.  And honestly, not a lot of research has been done on the lakes in this aspect, especially when it comes to plastics.  In fact, as we speak (I type), a professor from the University of Wisconsin - Superior, is out on a research ship collecting samples by trawling.  Dr. Lorena Rios-Mendoza is aboard a tall ship named Niagara and will be taking samples from Huron, Michigan and Erie.  She left on July 12th, 2012 and will be on the waters until July 30th, 2012.  Rios-Mendoza wants to know if the same thing is happening in our Great Lakes as is in the oceans.  I am very excited to see what she comes up with and am eagerly awaiting her research.  I will gladly share once it's relayed! 


The micro-plastics that are being consumed and contaminating fish in the oceans, could possibly be having the same effect on the fresh water fish.  Believe it or not, commercial fishing was a big industry on the lakes starting around 1820.  The big fishing boom died in the late 1950's due to a decreased number of fish.  This was caused by numerous things including but not limited to overfishing, habitat (shoreline and stream) destruction and the frustrating introduction of invasive and non-native species (Boy, invasive species really grind my gears!).  Major ones that still seem to be a problem today are the ugly sea lamprey and the alewife.  The main native fish coming out of the Great Lakes are whitefish, smelt, bloater chubs and perch (feel free to google some of those because I know I had to). 


If Rios-Mendoza's research tells us that the waters of the Great Lakes are, in fact, contaminated with micro-plastics to the degree the GPGP is, we'll have a serious problem that will need to be addressed immediately.  If not, we need to work towards keeping them that way!  For those of us that grew up on a coast (be it East, West or South), we know how important those waters are to us.  These Great Lakes are considered our "North Coast" and a lot of people hold them dearly in their hearts.  We need to take responsibility for our trash.  Lets not let it get into these beautiful waters. 

Beautiful Lake Michigan Beach

Tip-of-the-Day:  If RE-cycling seems like it's just not enough to help, try PRE-cycling.  Look at what you're buying.  Look at the packaging and base your purchase decision on that.  Don't buy eggs in a plastic carton.  Get your milk in a paper carton.  Refill your hand soap bottles.  These little steps can help in advance and it's a great way to really acknowledge how much plastic you actually go through in your daily life.  


What do you do to help?  Share your tips!

In case you missed it...

Here is the story from NBC. 

Japanese Tsunami Debris

Continuing on from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, I'd like to talk about the devastating Japanese Tsunami that happened in 2011.  I'm sure you've all heard about it, read about it and watched news pieces about it.  Now, problems are surfacing again from the Tsunami that happened about 16 months ago.

You name it, and it has been found either in the GPGP or has already reached the US shores.  According to the BBC, scientists have estimated that nearly 20 million tonnes of debris were created by the Tsunami.  Majority of that either stayed on land or immediately sank once being swept out.  However, a large amount, about 1.5 million tonnes, stayed afloat and remains so.  Researchers have gone out into the Pacific, specifically, to find out to what degree the tsunami is (still) affecting the oceans.  What they've found is distressing.

Debris, large and small alike, have been found floating in the oceans that were dragged out to sea in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami.  An entire dock from a Japanese port was washed up on the shores of Oregon, nearly 5,000 miles away!  A variety of invasive species had also hitched a ride intensifying the issues.  A starfish, local to Japan, was one of possibly hundreds of species found on the dock.  Introducing non-native species like this could cause a tremendous amount of damage to the local, Oregon ecosystem.  They even found a fishing vessel with Japanese registration numbers split in half, yet still afloat.  These large items are not as harmful because they can easily be collected and removed.  It's the smaller items that prove to be more problematic.

These plastic pieces and fishing nets are now washing up on the shores of Hawaii, Alaska and even the west coast.  In Alaska, polystyrene foam buoys have been spotted in the ocean and washing up on shores.  The biggest issue with Alaska, is that this debris, possibly contaminated with radiation is washing up in the wilderness.  Coast line that is untouched and naturally pristine.  CBS reported that "boatloads and boatloads and boatloads" of building insulation and Styrofoam are floating ashore in hard to reach places of remote Alaska.  This might be a 3, 4, or even 5-year clean up process.

Not only are these solid objects hazards but there are liquid hazards as well.  On Montague Island, AK (seen above) there have been oil drums, barrels of chemicals, propane tanks and gas cans that have accompanied the plastic and Styrofoam pieces.  They're contaminating our waters and need to get cleaned up immediately. These are potentially dangerous and, if found, should be approached with caution and only removed by professionals.

The tsunami itself was a deadly devastating disaster and people are still recovering from it.  That aspect should not be overlooked or forgotten, but we also need to focus on the remaining debris and put effort towards cleaning it up.

NOAA has put together a great list of what one might come across on beaches and what should be done.  You should always use common sense and approach all debris with caution.  As always, if it's general litter, plastic bottles, aluminum cans or trash, yes, please pick it up and dispose of it properly.  If you encounter HAZMATs, leave it and contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.  NOAA has an email address, DisasterDebris@noaa.gov, that you can send any questions about anything you come across.  They are also working with local Japanese consulates to return any mementos or important personal possessions.  Imagine that!  Finding something that may be priceless to someone in Japan and being able to get it back to them!

*Tune in to Brian Williams tonight (7/11/12) on NBC to follow the story!


Being Green Tip-of-the-Day:  Have an old toilet with a giant tank?  Too expensive to replace it with a water-saving low flow toilet?  Well - depending on the size of your tank you can inexpensively save water!  Take a 2-liter Soda bottle or gallon milk jug (if it fits), fill them up with water and cap them. Place them in your toilet tank while it's filling up and with the help of the ol' fluid mechanics, displacement will save you water!

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

What is it, you ask?  Sadly, it's exactly what you think it is.  It's a monstrous "patch" of garbage that collects in the ocean.  It is not the only one, however it is the largest.   The GPGP is located in the Northern Pacific ocean and it is created by a combination of our pollution and a gyre.  A gyre is a vortex that is created by various ocean currents, winds and other atmospheric elements.  It creates a similar effect as starting a "whirlpool" in the pool as a kid.  This great website provides information on the 5-gyres of the world, the pollution problems they have and how you can help.

Because the way the currents move, it creates a convergence zone (see above) where plastic, chemical sludge and other debris collects and gets "stuck."  The size of the GPGP is undetermined because of the numerous layers of ocean water that are polluted with various sizes of marine debris.  It is also constantly moving, changing shape and has indeterminate boundaries.  


The Scripps Institute, located in California, has been doing research on this patch by taking several trips aboard the New Horizon vessel to the convergence zone to take samples.  Graduate students lead the Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX).  One of these studies has found that in the past 40 years, the amount of  human produced plastics found in the GPGP has increased 100 times over and is literally altering ocean habitats!  They found that 9% of the fish in that area contained plastic in their stomachs.  Here is a wonderful blog by SEAPLEX.  Follow their research, learn what their learning, and see how you can help!


Plastic is not the only concern in the GPGP.  Fishing nets, fishing line and other fishing debris collect and entangle with each other and marine animals.

This is an example of a "ghost net" that was found in the GPGP.   "Ghost nets" are derelict nets that have been lost, broken or intentionally discarded by fishermen.  It is unfortunate, but they make up a large part of the pollution.  These can cause starvation, suffocation and even drowning.  Sea turtles take a big hit from these as well.  Because of their curious nature, they're bound to swim up and check the nets out.  Sometimes they get entangled and that can often lead to their death.

What can you do to help and avoid these unnecessary deaths?  Well, if you're a fisherman, either by profession or as a hobby, make sure you keep tabs on all of your equipment.  If you're on a boat out at sea, make sure everything is secured and will not fly out.  Dispose of all your trash properly.  The ocean is not your garbage can!  Some marinas and ports even have incentive programs to encourage you to not litter.  They offer free recycling, disposal and sometimes even compensation!  Take advantage of that. Here is a great link to find a program like that near you.

Avoiding Plastic Tip-of-the-Day: When dining out, say no to plastic straws! Sip or if you must have a straw, try these elegant, reusable glass straws! Think about it, McDonald's alone serves somewhere around 52 million meals per DAY!  How many plastic straws do you think they go through??