WHERE...Urban freshwater pollution as a worldwide affliction

So what if Hicklin Lake isn't clean?...

Why should we care about the well being of this small lake?...

Will the world really be any better if Hicklin lake is decontaminated?...

YES!!!

In taking a stand for Hicklin Lake, we are moving towards dealing with worldwide water pollution. If you care about the water you drink, wash clothes with, nourish flowers with, eat fish from, swim in, or get power from, then you care about the pollution status of Hicklin Lake. 

Freshwater pollution is a worldwide affliction

Eutrophication is a repeated theme in freshwater ecosystems all around the world. Human development has led to unnaturally high levels of nutrient loading into freshwater systems (Environmental Protection Agency, Khan) which leads to decreased water quality and compromised ecosystem function. Continuation of agricultural, industrial and urban development creates a scary dichotomy (Leng):

Increased Phosphorous in runoff entering lakes

Increased demand for uncontaminated freshwater sources (Leng)

These two trends cannot be simultaneous truths. Without action, human populations will be forced to face extreme freshwater shortages.

Hicklin Lake may seem like a small issue in the scheme of what our world faces, but this is not the case. Stories like that of Lakewood park are rampant throughout the world. Apathy at the local level puts our world's freshwater supply is in great danger. Taking a stand on urban pollution of freshwater sources is essential. 

Examples of Freshwater Contamination Around the World:

I. FRESHWATER LAKES IN CHINA

Studies looking into the trophic status of freshwater lakes in China have revealed that all lakes are undergoing the process of eutrophication at varying degrees of severity (Jin). For the purpose of this study, lakes were classified as mesotrophic, eutrophic or hypertrophic, each classification representing a higher level of severity concerning nutrient contamination. Data taken in the 1970's showed most of the lakes to be mesotrophic (at medium levels of productivity). Under naturally occurring conditions, mesotrophic systems should take many hundreds of years to become eutrophic. However, recent data revealed 57.5% of lakes to now be classified as eutrophic (high levels of productivity leading to ecological stresses) (Jin). From these results, it is clear that productivity changes occurring in freshwater lakes of China are not natural; being aided by human contamination. These dramatic changes in the last 40 years stress the importance of action. In another 40 years, these lakes may be too far gone to help. 

II. FRESHWATER LAKES IN THE UNITED STATES

Lake Erie: The nutrient inputs from human populations surrounding Lake Erie have significantly increased the Eutrophication process in its expansive waters. In an attempt to put numbers behind the effects of nutrient inputs on eutrophication, one estimate stated that 80 tons of phosphates were added to lake Erie in 1965 and that for each 400g of phosphate, 350 tons of algal slime growth is induced. As previously stated, such blooms block penetrance of light, decrease oxygen levels in the water and potentially release toxins (Moore). 

 Eutrophication in Lake Erie

Lake Washington: As Seattle became a larger metropolitan area, Lake Washington was exposed to more and more nutrients, leading to eutrophic conditions. Population explosion is leading to expansion of urban areas (where 80% of the United States population resides) (Moore). A study done on the health of lakes located around Seattle's urban fringe showed that this is where the highest levels of pollution and eutrophication are experienced (Moore). Knowing that lakes located on the urban fringe are highly susceptible to eutrophication has huge implications for developing urban areas all around the world.

Lake Washington is being known for hosting one of the most successful and studied urban lake restoration projects. This success was met through diversion of sewage which was once entirely directed into Lake Washington's waters (Abella). Since this change was implemented, significant shifts in the zooplankton, fish and algae compositions have been seen (Abella). This success proves that a lake which was once exposed to detrimental urban fringe pollution levels can be restored back to a much more ecologically healthy condition.