Anyone living along the coast of Lake Erie will be well aware of the periodic algal blooms that appear on its surface. The greenish blooms can cause rashes and other health problems and pose risks to both humans and animals.
In 2016, Canada and the United States agreed to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Erie's western and central basins by 40 per cent of 2008 levels. Yet recent reporting shows that this target remains largely unmet.
Excess nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, can increase harmful algal blooms in lakes. These blooms deplete oxygen levels in the water, threatening drinking water, fisheries and communities that rely on tourism.
