More than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution end up in the Great Lakes every year, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology.
While plastic pollution is certainly a concern, another growing concern is the level of microplastics found in each of the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, it turns out that there is no coordinated, basinwide effort to monitor and report on the status of plastic pollution, which means that microplastics have not been adopted as an indicator of ecosystem health and designated as a ‘Chemical of Mutual Concern’ under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The report suggests specific frameworks for standardized sampling methods and risk-based management.
That is why, in a new report, the International Joint Commission (IJC)’s Great Lakes Science Advisory Board proposes regional coordination to systematically measure Great Lakes microplastics. This would be a huge win for the fight against microplastics, which are adversely affecting the Great Lakes with relatively few consequences.
“Plastic is a part of modern life and pervasive throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem,” said Rebecca Rooney, Canadian co-chair of the Science Advisory Board’s Research Coordination Committee. “Yet, the monitoring and reporting on microplastics is largely project-based.
“The board offers actionable tools to help the Canadian and US governments take a common and routine approach to monitoring microplastics,” added Rooney, also an associate professor of biology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.
“Adopting microplastics as an indicator of ecological health would improve our understanding of their prevalence and environmental impacts,” said Karen Kidd, member of the board’s Science Priority Committee.
“The frameworks proposed in this report could be leveraged for systematic and coordinated monitoring, assessment and management,” said Kidd, also professor and Jarislowsky Chair of Environment and Health at McMaster University in Ontario.
Without the ability to effectively monitor microplastics in the Great Lakes, there is little chance that more actionable items will be implemented to combat the scourge.
The board is hosting a one-hour public webinar on the report’s findings at 1 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Experts from the work group will summarize the report and answer audience questions. Advanced registration is required for this free public webinar.
Lead image: Photo by Sören Funk
Newell Nussbaumer is ‘queenseyes’ – Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world’s largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure… FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com
