Research question: What are the past measures taken in the case for Lake Erie, and are there other regulations that took place around the world in a similar instance?
Bosch, N. S., Allan, J. D., Selegean, J. P., & Scavia, D. (2013). Scenario-testing of agricultural best management practices in Lake Erie watersheds. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 39(3), 429–436. doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2013.06.004
This article discusses BMP (Best Management Practice) implementation in Lake Erie in reduction of phosphate levels, concluding that application of three strategies simultaneously extracted the best results. As it claims that the effectiveness of the measures rely heavily on the geographical patterns of the region, we may be able to construct methods of monitoring depending on the area. Cited by 21, this paper may not act as a foundation to our investigation, but as supporting material.
Goucher, N., & Maas, T. (2014). CLEAN, NOT GREEN: Tackling Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes. Retrieved from http://freshwaterfuture.org/algae-blooms-in-lake-erie/
This report by the NGO Freshwater Future alarms the public of the negative effects of algal blooms in Lake Erie through graphic photos of the lake, simultaneously promoting the reduction of phosphate levels and cooperation with various communities. It is an effective promotional and persuasive report, but subjectivity cannot be disregarded. Mentioning the past successful efforts made in mitigating the blooms, the report concludes with a light note, but this may be misleading considering that industrial agriculture is still prevailing around the Lake Erie coasts. It is a useful resource in making estimations of value claims and how environmental NGOs would play a role in the solution of this wicked problem.
Government of Ontario. (2012). pwqmn_rawdata_2012.xls. Provincial (Stream) Water Quality Monitoring Network. Retrieved from http://www.ontario.ca/data/provincial-stream-water-quality-monitoring-network.
This is a data assessment of the chemical composition of the Great Lakes in 2012. The validity and accuracy of the data is high, considering that it is governmental data. It lacks of data for the periods when regulations with the US government took place, but will become a useful resource in observing a trend in recent-year phosphate levels. This dataset is connected to an interactive online map that can inform the chemical composition of water in the selected area, giving visual stimulation as well as raw information.
Government of Ontario. (2012).GLIS_2002_2012_WATER_CHEMISTRY. Water chemistry (Great Lakes nearshore areas). Retireved from http://www.ontario.ca/data/water-chemistry-great-lakes-nearshore-areas
This is a dataset including measurements of phosphate levels around the coastlines of the Great Lakes. Along with the other dataset focused on the water quality monitoring network, it will be utilized in relation to considering which past measures are geographically applicable to the specified area.
Great Lakes Commission. (2014). Review of In-stream Nonpoint Source Control Methodologies to Reduce Erosion and Sedimentation and Abate Phosphorus Loadings to the Great Lakes. Retrieved from http://glc.org/docs/2014-review-in-stream-bmp-erosion/
This grey literature consists of a review of measures taken in the past throughout Canada and US to reduce non-point source pollution and phosphorus levels. Each method is evaluated through case studies, and presents both merits and demerits of the measure, as well as its value in cost, effectiveness and how successful the technological integration was. Compared to the other NGO report, the objectivity of the report and variety of citations used suggests that it will be an useful resource to explore the possible mitigation methods that could be implemented in Lake Erie.
Gulati, R. D., Dionisio Pires, L. M., & Van Donk, E. (2008). Lake restoration studies: Failures, bottlenecks and prospects of new ecotechnological measures. Limnologica – Ecology and Management of Inland Waters, 38(3-4), 233–247. doi:10.1016/j.limno.2008.05.008
This paper accumulates studies about bio-manipulation for lakes in north-western Europe, indicating their weaknesses such as inadequate reduction in phosphate levels. Cited by 74 papers according to Google Scholar, this article is useful in identifying the cons of past measures. It should be note that the study focuses on cases in Europe, not Canada, and discusses issues with local species that cannot be entirely applied to the Lake Erie incident.
Lasse H. Pettersson, D. P. (2013). Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms. Berlin: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/978-3- 540-68209-7_
This book focuses on the analysis of the harmful algal species, later evaluating geographic information sciences as an effective monitoring method of algal blooms. In p.124 there is a brief mention of the algal bloom in Lake Erie in 1995, claiming that employment of LANDAT TM developed algorithms that detected cynobacterial blooms in the lake. This information, and other case studies of instances where GIS technology made estimations and models of past algal bloom incidents, suggests that implementing technology is a possible measure. The recent date implies a level of validity and applicability, though there is a low number of this literature being cited by other articles.
McGucken, W. (2000). Lake Erie Rehabilitated: Controlling Cultural Eutrophication 1960s-1990s. Akron: The University of Akron Press. Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu/books/9781935603160
This book highlights the history of algal control during the 1960s-1990s in Lake Erie. Not only does it identify specific measures taken by the federal institutions, but also explains in detail the process in which the Canadian and U.S. government struggled in meeting goals and reaching a mutual conclusion through the negotiations. The detailed description of each measure and its development will aid our analysis of past measures and its pros and cons, along with its political outcomes. As it is a fairly recent book, it is reliable to an extent; for confirmation it should be used simultaneously with governmental documents aobut the regulations that took place in the past.
Murrey, G. R. Bill 6 An Act to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin (2015). 2nd reading June 4th 2015, 41st Legislature, 1st Session. Government of Ontario. Retrieved from http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=3115
This is the pdf version of the currently proposed bill of the Great Lakes Act, still being processed through legislation in the Government of Ontario. The authenticity of the resource is undoubted, and will be utilized as reference to what the federal viewpoint is of this issue of lake water protection. Operational definitions will aid our understanding, while we are able to evaluate whether or not the current situation of the algal bloom can be solved through this regulatory attempt.
Paerl, H. W., Xu, H., McCarthy, M. J., Zhu, G., Qin, B., Li, Y., & Gardner, W. S. (2011). Controlling harmful cyanobacterial blooms in a hyper-eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu, China): The need for a dual nutrient (N & P) management strategy. Water Research, 45(5), 1973–1983. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2010.09.018
In this peer-reviewed article, the authors propose a management strategy including the regulation of both nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Through seasonal analysis of the hyper-eutrophic Lake Taihu in China, they conclude that long-term mitigations will be the most effective in this case. This artcle is significant, considering that a comparison with the article by Wang. H & Wang. H (2009) claiming alternate methods of reduction will lead to more interesting insight in which is more applicable for the situation in Lake Erie.
Wang, H., & Wang, H. (2009). Mitigation of lake eutrophication: Loosen nitrogen control and focus on phosphorus abatement. Progress in Natural Science, 19(10), 1445–1451. doi:10.1016/j.pnsc.2009.03.009
This is a journal article that explores the mitigation of algal blooms in the Yangtze lakes in China, claiming the scientists must loosen their fixation in reducing levels of nitrogen, and instead, make an effort to control phosphorus abatement. Specific examples are given in how the methods will be implemented. The journal article is cited by a fair number of scholars, therefore proving to be useful. It should be compared with the other journal article also written by Chinese scholars that propose a different method for regulation.
Wilson, R. S., Howard, G., & Burnett, E. A. (2014). Improving nutrient management practices in agriculture: The role of risk-based beliefs in understanding farmers’ attitudes toward taking additional action. Water Resouces Research, 50(8), 1–12. doi:10.1002/2013WR015200.Received
This is a research article aimed to assess the attitude of farmers in Northwest Ohio, targeting the individuals who are taking voluntary measures to reduce nutrient loss. Though this article has not yet been cited, which is evidence of its vulnerability in validity, it gives an insight about in what situation would the farmers be willing to take action in protecting Lake Erie from the algal blooms. Value claims between the agricultural dimention and the federal aspect often differ; this article may give a hint to the merits of environmental protection the government should promote.