Understanding Lake Erie:gIts History, Current State, and

It F tIts Future Dr. Jeffrey M. Reuttery

Director, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

Jeffrey M. Reutter, Ph.D., Director

• 1895 F T Stone Laboratory• 1895—F.T. Stone Laboratory • 1970—Center for Lake Erie Area

R h (CLEAR)Research (CLEAR)• 1978—Ohio Sea Grant College Program• 1992—Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystem

Research Consortium (GLAERC) ( )• Grad student at Stone Lab in 1971 and

never left. Director since 1987.2

never left. Director since 1987.

SouthernmostSouthernmostSouthernmostSouthernmost

Image: Ohio Sea GrantImage: Ohio Sea Grant

Photo: Ohio Sea GrantPhoto: Ohio Sea Grant

Major Land Uses in Major Land Uses in Major Land Uses in Major Land Uses in

100%100%

The Great LakesThe Great LakesThe Great LakesThe Great Lakes

70%70%80%80%90%90%

50%50%60%60%70%70%

20%20%30%30%40%40%

0%0%10%10%20%20%

SuperiorSuperior MichiganMichigan HuronHuron ErieErie OntarioOntarioSuperiorSuperior MichiganMichigan HuronHuron ErieErie OntarioOntarioResidentialResidential CroplandCropland PasturePasture ForestForest Brush/WetlandBrush/Wetland

Because Because of Land of Land Use, Use, Because Because of Land of Land Use, Use, Lake Lake Erie Gets:Erie Gets:Lake Lake Erie Gets:Erie Gets:

•• More sedimentMore sediment•• More nutrients (fertilizers and sewage)More nutrients (fertilizers and sewage)More nutrients (fertilizers and sewage)More nutrients (fertilizers and sewage)•• More pesticidesMore pesticides•• (The above 3 items are exacerbated by(The above 3 items are exacerbated by(The above 3 items are exacerbated by (The above 3 items are exacerbated by

storms, which will be more frequent and storms, which will be more frequent and severe due to severe due to climate climate change.)change.)g )g )

•• And And Lake Erie is Lake Erie is still still biologically biologically the most the most productive of the Great productive of the Great LakesLakes——And always And always will be!!will be!!

50:2 Rule50:2 Rule50:2 Rule50:2 Rule(Not exact, but instructive)(Not exact, but instructive)

Lake Superior:Lake Superior:LakeLake Erie:Erie:Lake Superior: Lake Superior: 50% 50% of the water and of the water and 2%2% of the fishof the fish

Lake Lake Erie: Erie: 22%% of the water and of the water and 50%50% of the fishof the fish

80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule

•• 80% of water from upper lakes80% of water from upper lakes

80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule80:10:10 Rule

•• 80% of water from upper lakes80% of water from upper lakes•• 1010% direct % direct precipitationprecipitationp pp p•• 10% from Lake Erie tributaries10% from Lake Erie tributaries

––Maumee Maumee •• Largest tributary to Great LakesLargest tributary to Great Lakesg yg y

––Drains 4.5 million acres of Drains 4.5 million acres of agag landland•• 3% of flow into Lake Erie3% of flow into Lake Erie•• 3% of flow into Lake Erie 3% of flow into Lake Erie

Lake Erie’s Bi P bl /I7 Biggest Problems/Issues

(see Twine Line, Spring/Summer, 2012)

• Sedimentation

h h d l d• Phosphorus and nutrient loading

• Harmful algal blooms

• Aquatic invasive species

• Dead Zone

• Climate Change—Makes the others worse

• Coastal Economic Development

Lake Erie StatsLake Erie StatsLake Erie StatsLake Erie Stats•• Drinking water for 11 million peopleDrinking water for 11 million people•• Over 20 power Over 20 power plantsplants•• Power production is greatest water usePower production is greatest water use•• 300 marinas in Ohio alone300 marinas in Ohio alone•• Walleye Capital of the WorldWalleye Capital of the World•• 40% of all Great Lakes charter 40% of all Great Lakes charter boatsboats•• Ohio’s charter boat industry is one of the largest in NorthOhio’s charter boat industry is one of the largest in North•• Ohio s charter boat industry is one of the largest in North Ohio s charter boat industry is one of the largest in North

AmericaAmerica•• $$1.5 1.5 billion sport fisherybillion sport fisheryp yp y•• One of top 10 sport fishing locations in the worldOne of top 10 sport fishing locations in the world•• MMost valuable ost valuable freshwater commercial freshwater commercial fishery fishery in the in the worldworld•• Coastal county tourism value is over $11.5 billion and Coastal county tourism value is over $11.5 billion and

117,000 jobs117,000 jobs

Lake Erie: One of the Most Lake Erie: One of the Most Lake Erie: One of the Most Lake Erie: One of the Most Important Lakes in the WorldImportant Lakes in the WorldImportant Lakes in the WorldImportant Lakes in the World

•• Dead lake image of 60s and 70s.Dead lake image of 60s and 70s.•• Poster child for pollution problems in this Poster child for pollution problems in this

country.country.•• But, most heavily utilized of any of the Great But, most heavily utilized of any of the Great

Lakes.Lakes.•• Shared by 5 states, a province, and 2 Shared by 5 states, a province, and 2

t it icountries.countries.•• Best example of ecosystem recovery in Best example of ecosystem recovery in

worldworldworld.world.

June 22, 1969

Impact of Ecosystem Recovery Impact of Ecosystem Recovery ( bi h)( bi h)

Impact of Ecosystem Recovery Impact of Ecosystem Recovery ( bi h)( bi h)(rebirth)(rebirth)(rebirth)(rebirth)

•• Ohio walleye harvest 112,000 in 1976 to Ohio walleye harvest 112,000 in 1976 to over 5 million by midover 5 million by mid--80s80syy

•• 34 charter fishing businesses in 1975 to 34 charter fishing businesses in 1975 to over 1200 by midover 1200 by mid--80s and almost 80080s and almost 800over 1200 by midover 1200 by mid 80s and almost 800 80s and almost 800 todaytoday

•• 207 coastal businesses to over 425207 coastal businesses to over 425•• 207 coastal businesses to over 425 207 coastal businesses to over 425 todaytoday

What brought about the What brought about the bi th (d d l k t W llbi th (d d l k t W llWhat brought about the What brought about the bi th (d d l k t W llbi th (d d l k t W llrebirth (dead lake to Walleye rebirth (dead lake to Walleye

Capital)?Capital)?rebirth (dead lake to Walleye rebirth (dead lake to Walleye

Capital)?Capital)?

•• Phosphorus reductionsPhosphorus reductions fromfrom

Capital)?Capital)?Capital)?Capital)?

•• Phosphorus reductions Phosphorus reductions from from point sources (29,000 metric point sources (29,000 metric tons to 11,000);tons to 11,000); and agriculture and agriculture helped!helped!helped!helped!

WhyWhy diddid wewe targettarget phosphorus?phosphorus?WhyWhy diddid wewe targettarget phosphorus?phosphorus?Why Why did did we we target target phosphorus?phosphorus?Why Why did did we we target target phosphorus?phosphorus?

•• Normally limiting nutrient in freshwater Normally limiting nutrient in freshwater ttsystemssystems

•• P reduction is best strategy P reduction is best strategy ecologically and economicallyecologically and economically

•• Reducing both P and N would helpReducing both P and N would helpg pg p

Algae are tiny plantAlgae are tiny plant--like organisms that live in waterlike organisms that live in water

There are hundreds of species of algae in Lake There are hundreds of species of algae in Lake Erie.Erie.Most are Most are beneficial.beneficial.

• Source: Tom Bridgeman, UT

Major Major groups/kinds groups/kinds in Lake Eriein Lake Eriejj g pg p

DiatomsDiatoms GreensGreens BlueBlue--greensgreensDiatomsDiatoms GreensGreens BlueBlue--greensgreens(Cyanobacteria)(Cyanobacteria)

• Source: Tom Bridgeman, UT

Impacts of Increased Impacts of Increased Ph h C iPh h C i

Impacts of Increased Impacts of Increased Ph h C iPh h C iPhosphorus ConcentrationsPhosphorus ConcentrationsPhosphorus ConcentrationsPhosphorus Concentrations

•• HABsHABs——If P concentrations are high If P concentrations are high (regardless of the source, Ag, sewage, etc.) (regardless of the source, Ag, sewage, etc.) and water is warm, we will have a HABand water is warm, we will have a HABand water is warm, we will have a HAB and water is warm, we will have a HAB (nitrogen concentration will likely determine (nitrogen concentration will likely determine which of the 7which of the 7--10 species bloom)10 species bloom)

•• Nuisance Algae BloomsNuisance Algae Blooms•• Nuisance Algae BloomsNuisance Algae Blooms–– CladophoraCladophora——Whole lake problem. An Whole lake problem. An

attached form.attached form.–– Winter algal bloomsWinter algal blooms

•• Dead Zone in Central BasinDead Zone in Central Basin

BlueBlue--green Algae Bloom circa green Algae Bloom circa 19 119 1 L k E iL k E i

BlueBlue--green Algae Bloom circa green Algae Bloom circa 19 119 1 L k E iL k E i1971, 1971, Lake ErieLake Erie1971, 1971, Lake ErieLake Erie

Photo: Forsythe and ReutterPhoto: Forsythe and Reutter

MicrocystisMicrocystis, Stone Lab, 8/10/10, Stone Lab, 8/10/10MicrocystisMicrocystis, Stone Lab, 8/10/10, Stone Lab, 8/10/10MicrocystisMicrocystis, Stone Lab, 8/10/10, Stone Lab, 8/10/10MicrocystisMicrocystis, Stone Lab, 8/10/10, Stone Lab, 8/10/10

Photos: Jeff Reutter Photos: Jeff Reutter

MicrocystinMicrocystin ConcentrationsConcentrationsMicrocystinMicrocystin ConcentrationsConcentrations•• 1 ppb WHO drinking water limit1 ppb WHO drinking water limit•• 20 ppb WHO swimming limit20 ppb WHO swimming limitpp gpp g•• 60 ppb highest level for Lake Erie till 60 ppb highest level for Lake Erie till

2011201120112011•• 84 ppb highest level for Grand Lake St. 84 ppb highest level for Grand Lake St.

MarysMarys till 2010till 2010MarysMarys till 2010till 2010•• 2000+ Grand Lake St. 2000+ Grand Lake St. MarysMarys 20102010•• 1200 Lake Erie Maumee Bay area 20111200 Lake Erie Maumee Bay area 2011

Toxin Reference Doses

Toxicity of Toxicity of Algal Algal Toxicity of Toxicity of Algal Algal

Dioxin (0.000001 mg/kg-d)

Microcystin LR (0.000003 mg/kg-d)Saxitoxin (0.000005 mg/kg-d)yy gg

Toxins Toxins Relative Relative to Other Toxic to Other Toxic C dC d

yy ggToxins Toxins Relative Relative to Other Toxic to Other Toxic C dC d

( g g )

PCBs (0.00002 mg/kg-d)Cylindrospermopsin (0.00003 mg/kg-d)

Methylmercury (0.0001 mg/kg-d)Compounds Compounds

found in Waterfound in WaterCompounds Compounds

found in Waterfound in WaterAnatoxin-A (0.0005 mg/kg-d)

DDT (0.0005 mg/kg-d)Selenium (0.005 mg/kg-d)

•• Reference Dose = Reference Dose = amount that can be amount that can be ingested orally by a ingested orally by a person aboveperson above

Alachlor (0.01 mg/kg-d)Cyanide (0.02 mg/kg-d)Atrazine (0 04 mg/kg d)

Botulinum toxin A (0.001 mg/kg-d)

person, above person, above which a toxic effect which a toxic effect may occur, on a may occur, on a milligram per milligram per kilogram bodykilogram body

Atrazine (0.04 mg/kg-d)Fluoride (0.06 mg/kg-d)Chlorine (0.1 mg/kg-d)Aluminum (1 mg/kg-d)Ethylene Glycol (2 mg/kg-d)kilogram body kilogram body

weight per day weight per day basis.basis.

Ethylene Glycol (2 mg/kg d)

11 years of satellite data provide 11 years of satellite data provide bloom extentbloom extent

11 years of satellite data provide 11 years of satellite data provide bloom extentbloom extent

high

medium

Data from MERIS 2002-2011,

low

MODIS 2012

MicrocystisMicrocystis in Lake Eriein Lake ErieMicrocystisMicrocystis in Lake Eriein Lake ErieTheThe MicrocystisMicrocystis AnabaenaAnabaena bloom of 2009 wasbloom of 2009 was•• The The MicrocystisMicrocystis--AnabaenaAnabaena bloom of 2009 was bloom of 2009 was the largest in recent years in our sampling the largest in recent years in our sampling region region

•• …until 2011 …until 2011 Source: Tom Bridgeman, UT

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011

Photo: NOAA Satellite ImagePhoto: NOAA Satellite Image

Microcystis Microcystis Microcystis Microcystis near near MarbleheadMarbleheadnear near MarbleheadMarbleheadMarbleheadMarbleheadMarbleheadMarblehead

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011

Photo: Richard Kraus, United States Geological SurveyPhoto: Richard Kraus, United States Geological Survey

HABs in 2013

• NOAA forecast in partnership with OSU Sea Grant and Stone Lab Heidelberg U and U of Toledoand Stone Lab, Heidelberg U, and U of Toledo

• Based on the total phosphorus load from the Maumee River 1 March to 30 JuneMaumee River 1 March to 30 June

• Issued at Stone Lab press conference on 2 July

NOAA issued the first forecast in 2012. NOAA issued the first forecast in 2012. 2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed

NOAA issued the first forecast in 2012. NOAA issued the first forecast in 2012. 2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed.2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed.2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed.2012 Forecast (mild bloom) and observed.

Measured

2012Forecast

2013 Forecast: Significant bloom2013 Forecast: Significant bloom..similar to 2003 much milder than 2011similar to 2003 much milder than 2011

2013 Forecast: Significant bloom2013 Forecast: Significant bloom..similar to 2003 much milder than 2011similar to 2003 much milder than 2011similar to 2003, much milder than 2011similar to 2003, much milder than 2011similar to 2003, much milder than 2011similar to 2003, much milder than 2011

2013

2013 prediction for western Lake Erie:i il t 2003 <1/5 f 2011 2X 2012similar to 2003, <1/5 of 2011, 2X 2012

2013 may resemble 20032011 for comparison

low medium highconcentration

L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake County Shoreline HABLake County Shoreline HAB

Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake County Shoreline HABLake County Shoreline HAByyyy

Courtesy: Lake County General Health District

L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012L k E i J l 2 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake County Shoreline HABLake County Shoreline HAB

Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake Erie July 2, 2012Lake County Shoreline HABLake County Shoreline HAByyyy

Courtesy: Lake County General Health District

Target Loads to Solve gProblem

• Leading subcommittee of the Ohio Phosphorus Task Force to identify both spring and annual target loads of bothspring and annual target loads of both total P and DRP to prevent or greatly reduce HABsreduce HABs

• Target is 40% reduction

Nutrient Loading: Expect Nutrient Loading: Expect improvementimprovementNutrient Loading: Expect Nutrient Loading: Expect improvementimprovement–– Scotts P removal from over the counter fertilizer bagsScotts P removal from over the counter fertilizer bags–– CSO’s moving in right direction (too slow?)CSO’s moving in right direction (too slow?)

Detroit sewageDetroit sewage hopefully in compliancehopefully in compliance butbut–– Detroit sewageDetroit sewage——hopefully in compliancehopefully in compliance——but but bankruptbankrupt

–– Frequency of severe storms continues to go upFrequency of severe storms continues to go up–– AgAg——expect improvementexpect improvement

•• Farm Bureau is supporting efforts to reduce PFarm Bureau is supporting efforts to reduce P•• Majority of farmers now accept responsibilityMajority of farmers now accept responsibility•• Majority of farmers now accept responsibilityMajority of farmers now accept responsibility•• Certification programs being developedCertification programs being developed•• 4R Program4R Program•• RecommendationsRecommendations

–– DonDon’’t apply more fertilizer than neededt apply more fertilizer than needed–– Don’t apply on frozen or snow covered groundDon’t apply on frozen or snow covered groundpp y gpp y g–– Don’t broadcast, incorporate into soilDon’t broadcast, incorporate into soil–– Don’t apply before when rain in immediate forecastDon’t apply before when rain in immediate forecast

What Can I Do?What Can I Do?What Can I Do?What Can I Do?•• To stop HABs we have to either make it colder To stop HABs we have to either make it colder

or put in less nutrients. or put in less nutrients. pp–– Reduce your carbon footprint (use less energy and Reduce your carbon footprint (use less energy and

sustainable sources of energy)sustainable sources of energy)R d h h i t b 40%R d h h i t b 40%–– Reduce phosphorus input by 40%Reduce phosphorus input by 40%

•• Reduce flow to sewage treatment plant (LowReduce flow to sewage treatment plant (Low--flow toilets flow toilets and showerheads)and showerheads)

•• Reduce Reduce stormwaterstormwater leaving property (rain barrels and leaving property (rain barrels and rain gardens)rain gardens)

•• Make sure septic tank is workingMake sure septic tank is workingp gp g•• Encourage sewage treatment plant to eliminate CSO’s Encourage sewage treatment plant to eliminate CSO’s

and be willing to pay more for changesand be willing to pay more for changes•• Use “0” P lawn fertilizerUse “0” P lawn fertilizerUse 0 P lawn fertilizerUse 0 P lawn fertilizer•• Use low P Use low P cleaning productscleaning products

For more information:For more information:For more information:For more information:Dr. Jeff Reutter, DirectorDr. Jeff Reutter, DirectorDr. Jeff Reutter, DirectorDr. Jeff Reutter, Director

Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio Sea Grant and Stone LabStone LabStone LabStone LabOhio State Univ.Ohio State Univ.1314 Kinnear Rd1314 Kinnear Rd

Stone LaboratoryStone LaboratoryOhio State Univ.Ohio State Univ.1314 Kinnear Rd.1314 Kinnear Rd.

Col, OH 43212Col, OH 43212614614 292292 89498949

Box 119Box 119PutPut--inin--Bay, OH 43456Bay, OH 43456

614614--292292--89498949Reutter.1@osu.eduReutter.1@osu.edu

y,y,614614--247247--65006500

ohioseagrant.osu.eduohioseagrant.osu.edu