The Great Lakes: a chemical hot spot

Over 360 chemical compounds have been identified in the Great Lakes. Many are persistent toxic chemicals – alkylated lead, benzo(a)pyrene, DDT, mercury and mirex – potentially dangerous to humans and already destructive to the aquatic ecosystems.

For example, various species of fish now suffer from tumours and lesions, and their reproductive capacities are decreasing. Populations of fish consuming birds and mammals also seem to be on the decline. Of the ten most highly valued species of fish in Lake Ontario, seven have now almost totally vanished.

What is being done to resolve concerns about Great Lakes water quality?

The Canada-United States agreement provides the framework for resolving water quality concerns in the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) was first signed in 1972; it was revised in 1978. The 1978 agreement was amended by protocol in 1987. The 1972 GLWQA prescribed, among other things, targets for phosphorus loading reductions to control nutrient enrichment problems in the lakes. The 1978 agreement placed more emphasis on industrial pollutants and toxic substances and set water quality objectives for specific chemicals.

The 1987 protocol advanced the cleanup of the Great Lakes by calling for the restoration of particularly degraded areas of concern and seeking the control of all sources of pollution, including airborne toxic substances. The protocol has also strengthened the public accountability of the governments of Canada and the United States, which must now report publicly to the International Joint Commission (IJC) on the progress of implementation of specific annexes to the agreement.

As well, every two years the Great Lakes Water Quality and Science Advisory Boards of the IJC present their independent reports on progress (or lack thereof) toward achieving the objectives of the GLWQA. These reports are available from:

Great Lakes Regional Office of the
International Joint Commission 
100 Ouellette Avenue
Windsor, Ontario  N9A 6T3
Tel.: 519-257-6702
Fax: 519-257-6740
E-mail: commission@windsor.ijc.org

See also: Great Lakes Sustainability Fund 

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