Georgio Miller
English 115
Determining Causes and Effects
[insert professor name]
December 17, 2013
Georgio Miller
English 115
Determining Causes and Effects
[insert professor name]
December 17, 2013
08
Fall
08
Fall

Georgio Miller
December 17, 2013
ENG115
3.1 – Determining Causes and Effects

Pollution in Great Lakes such as Lake Huron is not only harmful to the lake, but the ecosystem as well in many different ways. They can cause a harmful ripple effect transferred from prey to predators including humans. There is also the possibility of a major negative impact on the economy if affected. A majority of pollution found in Great Lakes such as Lake Huron has been proven by many sources to be extremely harmful to the habitants of the water, species who use the water, and the water itself. These findings eventually provided enough evidence for an implementation of a legal pollution limit that is considered to be a tolerance level. To demonstrate the harmful reality of pollution in Lake Huron, a group of graduate students from Michigan State University studied the effects of pollution by observing the lake trout. According to an excerpt of their school thesis, they intended to “…analyze the tissue concentrations in lake trout…over a period of several years.” (Michigan State University, Enivroment 110).
The study of this lake trout provided substantial evidence that more contaminated areas of the lake had a higher effect on the trout. The water pollution, caused by anything as small as a tin can or large as an old computer, provided enough harmful resources to sicken, weaken and in most cases kill the lake trout. (Michigan State University, Enivroment 110). These polluted areas are overlooked by a majority of people due to the façade of the lake’s natural beauty. However, underneath lies a more malevolent presence in the form of water pollution. These findings act as Photograph of Lake Huron trout studied by the students of Michigan State University. Photo courtesy of (Michigan State University, Enivroment 110).
Photograph of Lake Huron trout studied by the students of Michigan State University. Photo courtesy of (Michigan State University, Enivroment 110). a foundation to another cause and effect apparent beyond the waters of the lake. A father and son fishing trip to a polluted lake can be just as harmful to them as it can be to a dehydrated land animal looking for a quick drink. Those aforementioned contaminants found in the water are then carried home in those contaminated fish and carried through the body of those dehydrated animals. Defining water as a natural resource and basic necessity to life only further extends the extremity of this situation. According to www.takemefishing.org, a website dedicated to water pollution awareness, water is considered to be “…our most natural resource.” (Fishing). For instance, a father and son fishing trip is a success after they pick up pounds of the Lake Huron’s lake trout to take home for dinner. The fish, contaminated from some form of pollution, carry that contamination into the kitchen of the father and son. Although the severity of the contamination will differ once transferred from fish to human and/or water to animal, the effect will be evident in both.
Takemefishing.org also reports that natural occurrences such as acid rain and nearby land erosions will have a major effect on fish and other wildlife. (Fishing). However, ignoring or undermining these natural causes can lead to an increase in the effect pollution has on contaminated species. Immediately taking advantage of fresh pollution can make the all the difference as opposed to trying to clean up aged pollution that has spread overtime. To demonstrate the amount of water that is useless due to pollution, www.takemefishing.org reports that, “…the main cause of water pollution is a combination of sewage and industrial waste.” They also state that 8 billion gallons of fresh water flow past NY from the Hudson River and is lost to the Atlantic Ocean because the Hudson River is too polluted. Calculations determine that to be enough water to supply 200 gallons of water a day to each of 40 million people. (Fishing). However, health is not the only thing affected negatively by polluted water.
Fishing industries lose countless amounts of dollars to contaminated waters and sea creatures. Those smaller towns and cities that depend on the lake’s natural resources to help them economically suffer the most from the impact. (Cities such as those surrounding Lake Huron) Not only do these suffering communities miss the opportunity to capitalize on the lake’s natural resources, but they also lose money to “clean up costs” due to the lake’s pollution. According to the economy section of WaterPollution.org, “…it can be extremely expensive to treat and prevent contamination. Waste that does not break down quickly accumulates in the Earth’s waters and eventually makes its way to the oceans.” (Limited).

The photograph below illustrates how closely Lake Huron is bordered by these cities to further demonstrate the severity of the lake’s pollution effect.
Photograph courtesy of EPA.GOV
Photograph courtesy of EPA.GOV Prevention is the main goal in the case of pollution and can be apparent if time and much needed funding is invested. As stated above, the cause and effect of pollution in Lake Huron is an extremely serious situation that requires immediate attention and awareness. Those affected by these contaminations, rather it’s people, fish, or wildlife, all share a common enemy. Waterpollution.org proposes that sand and biological filters as well as chemical additives are safe treatments that can help prevent contamination. According www.waterpollution.org, “…these simple techniques cost money to maintain, but prevention is much cheaper than cleaning up water pollution that has already occurred.” (Limited). Furthermore, prevention through funding should not be looked as a loss but a great future investment.

Works Cited

Fishing, Take Me. Take Me Fishing. 1 June 2013. 17 December 2013 .

Limited, Fubra. Water Pollution Guide. 1 January 2003. 17 December 2013 .

Michigan State University, Enivroment 110. Pollution's Effects on the Great Lakes Ecosystem. 1 August 2013. 17 December 2013 .