Nearshore
Great Lakes researcher recognized for pioneering plastic pollution studies
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Her efforts led to bans on microplastics and to the discovery that plastic is ubiquitous throughout the environment.
pollution
Pollution changing fish at 16 sites in three rivers reaching the Great Lakes
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A river that once caught fire is once again among those under the microscope for pollution pouring into the Great Lakes, researchers say.
Waste
Michigan may authorize new uses for toxic coal ash
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Michigan may authorize new uses for toxic coal ash by Great Lakes Echo
One of the bills that cleared the Michigan legislature this session was a provision that allows certain bio-waste materials to be re-used for beneficial purposes. These substances include things like cement kiln dust, wood pulp and coal ash. Coal ash is the leftover residue from coal burned by electric power plants. The bill permits coal ash to be used in road construction, but it may also be used in agriculture as a fertilizer supplement, causing some environmental advocates to become concerned. Current State’s Kevin Lavery speaks with Republican State Representative Wayne Schmidt, the bill’s main sponsor, who strongly states that coal ash is completely safe and does not pose any environmental threats.
Water
Rivers in wintry cities remain salty year-round
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New research indicates that road salt applied on icy roads and that runs into rivers remains toxic not just in winter, but throughout two-thirds of the year.
Campaign targets pollution in watershed
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It’s safe to say most of us take for granted that when we turn on our faucets, clean water comes out. But where does our drinking water come from? How clean is it? And how much responsibility do we, as individuals, have to ensure that our water stays clean?
Echo
Detroit’s water renaissance: A river in trouble
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Detroit’s Rouge River is one of the Great Lakes’ most polluted waterways. Generations of air and water pollution from heavy industry near the mouth of the river contaminated its sediments and made the fish unsafe to eat.
Wet weather sewer project aims to save Michigan’s capital city $230 million
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‘Wet Weather’ sewer project aims to save Lansing $230 million by Great Lakes Echo
Lansing residents have a chance to weigh in on the latest suggestion for dealing with city sewage and stormwater. City administrators say the so-called “Wet Weather” project would combine Lansing’s 20-year old CSO, or “combined sewage overflow” project, with two other similar ones involving sanitary sewer overflow and stormwater. Chad Gamble is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Public Service for the city, and he supports the “Wet Weather” project. He and others maintain the three initiatives can be successfully combined and would save taxpayers approximately $350 million dollars.
Echo
New study raises questions for wind energy debate
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A study in Colorado and Texas may influence the Great Lakes wind energy debate.
It says that coal plants ramping up to accommodate the intermittent nature of wind could be more polluting than if they ran at a set rate.
Echo
VIDEO: Metal-poisoned water plagues rural Michigan town
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When John Dekker of Fennville, Mich., fills his hot tub, it’s so brown he can’t even see the top nozzle. When Kari Craton waters her garden, everything turns orange – before dying. Find out why residents of this rural Michigan town are outraged.
Echo
Stormwater rushes into Great Lakes, threatens health and habitat
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Little Black Creek in Muskegon, Mich., has a long history of abuse. And one of the stream’s biggest threats rushes in every time it rains. Rain is shunted into storm drains that lead straight to the stream.