Protecting Sarnia’s Water Supply and Shoreline – Shining a light on drains that enter Lake Huron – submitted by Kris Lee

Written by: Susan MacFarlane, M.Sc., Ph.D., P.Eng.

Did you know that Lake Huron has a residence time of 22 years?¹ What that means is anything that enters the lake will hang around for decades. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can enter the lake and then be transformed or consumed as they move through the lake. These nutrients can impact the oxygen supply and general health of the lake. Therefore, it is important to limit the amount of nutrients that enter a water body such as Lake Huron.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can fuel the growth of harmful algae such as blue-green algae in slow moving or still water. Blue-green algae is a photosynthetic bacteria (Cyanobacteria) which means it can produce energy through photosynthesis. Dense blue-green algae blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint. The algae can also be olive-green or red.²

Protecting Sarnia’s Water Supply and Shoreline (complete article download)

Thanks for sharing Kris!!!!!!