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Water Problems of Michigan

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Michigan has its fair share of environmental issues. Among the state’s biggest issue concerns water quality. Pollution is enormous within the Great Lakes, as can be seen in Lake Michigan and several rivers such as the Kalamazoo and Grand River. The contamination of water includes such things as sewage, dumping of toxic chemicals, garbage, and mercury emissions from power plants and factories. According to Brandon Howell of Mlive Michigan news, who discusses the issues of mercury, “Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that harms growing children and pollutes our environment” (2). Factors like toxins and sewage, pose a threat to the wildlife that depend on the lakes and rivers. Poor water quality could very well possibly be related to poor economic conditions that the state is currently suffering from right now. The quality of water is a major problem in Michigan that should be brought to attention so that citizens can understand the pollution risk factors if they want to contribute to the solution of cleaner water.
Currently, the Grand River is experiencing problems with toxic chemicals that continue to kill off fish and other underwater wildlife. The majority of these chemicals are released by the Eckert Power Plant located within Moores River Park. Mark Nixon, The Communications Director for The Board of Water and Light, explains that the plant releases enormous amounts of “mercury, sulfur and nitrogen compounds” (15). The Board of Water and Light is working on trying to make the river cleaner in addition to reducing emissions of these harmful chemicals while in the process of moving towards natural gas over coal. An editor for the Physicians of Social Responsibility in the article “Coal Ash” explains that the use of coal is danger...

... middle of paper ...

...al Responsibility, n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.

Hasemyer, David. "EPA Worries Dilbit Still a Threat to Kalamazoo River, More Than 2 Years After Spill." InsideClimate News. Energy Foundation, 13 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

Holliday, Darryl. "Lake Michigan beaches among worst in nation, study finds." Lake Country News-Sun. Chicago Sun-Times, 29 June 2011. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.

Howell, Brandon. "Lansing Board of Water & Light plant ranked eighth-worst in Michigan airborne mercury emissions." Mlive. N.p., 11 Nov. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2012.

Lawrence, Eric D. "More of Oil-Tainted Kalamazoo River Open for Recreation." Detroit Free Press: A.6. Jun 22 2012. Detroit Free Press. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

Nixon, Mark. "BWL to build a $182 million electric-steam generation facility in Reo Town." Lansing Board of Water & Light. Lansing Board of Water & Light, 16 July 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

In this essay, the author

  • Opines that michigan's water quality is a major issue that should be brought to attention so that citizens can understand the pollution risk factors.
  • Explains that the grand river is experiencing problems with toxic chemicals that continue to kill off fish and other underwater wildlife. the board of water and light is working on making the river cleaner and moving towards natural gas over coal.
  • Explains that the epa has reopened the kalamazoo river for the public to swim and do other water related activities in, but several citizens still believe the river is too dangerous for swimming.
  • Explains that lake michigan is contaminated with fish containing a bacterium that causes the disease known as botulism, which can strike humans and other animals.
  • Opines that education on water quality and our environment, if emphasized enough, can lead to positive changes in the overall natural landscape.
  • Explains that dozens of bird deaths sound alarm on problems in the great lakes.
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      • Cites the associated press (2014), "west virginia chemical spill: water ban could last days."
      911 words
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