Orwrio
JJ
.
UPPER GREAT LAKES
CONNECTING CHANNELS
STUDY
L
Z
7 /
L
L
/
/ /
Volume I
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
^-^ x xx x- // / -/ -f 1 j J
V' ."' "" -' 3* 7^ 2 £ r f 1 f
* ;* s~ -." .* * -r T< 71 r T r
~^~ ^ ~7^ *"* 7*~ ' ~T* T* r / / '
r^ 1^ i* f f f ! I i
-' ** 3* S I- I" / / /
^x^^y/'///
/////ft] \
s / /" / r "'^ov. -/ / f
/ / /m^^f ^\ f J
s / / ' /MM K /
/ js^Fl A
y y / f y A / |
S / / [" ^ K ^«a
/ f / s3 - '
' / 7^ ^j^fm
Z /^l
/ si ^^j
1 ^ ~r 1 i. i 3L 3L '^ '^ %s, V. .. _V_ 3
\ , V \ \ -*r k-^ \ ^ ^: ^ ^ ^
1 h ^i >«r *t \ *i ^ :H ^ ^ ^
1 \ \.^r_V-X-^ \ WNr-^V
1 I -i -i '.. . ". v s
1 \ \ \ \ \ ^ v 3
t \ ' l \ - \ NX >,
1 I 1VVY"V"VXX^
I I \ *1 \ \ \ TX % "s-
', 1 I V \ X v \ ', X
1 ', \ \ v , \ \
I "' X \ X ^ \ "'w "'"v ~"'
I \ \ \ \ \ \
1 'l \ \
1 \ \ . \ \ X X
1 I \ \ \ \ X X >
1 1 \ '- \ \ \ X
'L ', \ \ \ \ \
1 \ \ '' ''' \ \ \
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ X
\ \ \ \ N x x
1 \ \ \ \ \
\ \
\
\
\
\
.
\
I
\
\
X
X
\
-------
UPPER GREAT LAKES CONNECTING
CHANNELS STUDY
ERRATA
VOLUME 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Disclaimer: "The contents of this report do not necessarily
reflect the views and policies of the participating agencies,
nor does mention of trade names, or commercial products
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use."
- Page 3, 2nd Column, last paragragh. "The j^987 Protocol..."
- Page 11, Footnote 2. "Leachates have not been detected..."
- Page 38, 1. Water, 1st Column, 1st paragragh. There is no
guideline for PAHs. Cadmium should be added to this
statement.
- Page 38, 1. Water, 1st Column, 4th paragraph. Mercury
should be deleted from this statement.
- Page 38, 1. Water, 1st Column, 6th paragraph. PAHs should
be deleted from this statement.
- Page 38, 1. Water, 1st Column, 7th paragraph. There is no
lead data for the Ecorse River,
- Page 44, Recommendation 23. Delete "These".
- Page 26, 1st Column, 4th paragraph. "50 tons of
perchlorethylene were released to the river" should be
replaced with "18 tonnes of perchlorethylene were released
to the river of which 14.5 tonnes were recovered."
I
-------
I
The Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels Study
Management Committee
December
-------
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Valdas A. Adamkus
Regional Administrator, Region V
U.S. Environmental protection Agency
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Regional Director General, Ontario Region
Environment Canada
David F. Hales
Director
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
j. waiter Giles
Associate Deputy Minister
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
On behalf of the Management Committee we are pleased to submit
the final report and executive summary of the Upper Great
Lakes Connecting Channels Study. The report is a
comprehensive and detailed review of the project studies and
their results.
Respectfully submitted, February 1989.
ton Shim/Tzu
Co-Chain.
Envi ronmeHt^ Canada
Carol Finch
Co-Chair
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
-------
PEEPAC1
This report is an executive summary of the major findings and recommendations of the Upper Great
Lakes Connecting Channels Study. These findings and recommendations are based upon data collected
in 1985 and 1986. It is Volume I of a 3 volume set containing the complete output of the study. Volume
II is the main study report. Volume III of the many principal investigator reports, work-group
reports and other key supporting documents. Copies of Volume III are on file with each of the participating
agencies and with the International Joint Commission in Windsor, Ontario.
-------
Vll
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter ofTransmittal Hi
Preface v
Table of Contents vii
List of Figures and Tables , viii
Parti
1. Introduction , ..,...,».,., 3
2. Overview 5
3. Purpose and Objectives of the Study 8
4, General Findings 9
5. Specific Concerns 12
6. Recommended Management Strategy 13
7. Long-term Monitoring 14
8. RAP Process 15
Part II
ST. MARYS RIVER 19
Environmental Conditions 19
Specific Concerns 19
Sources of Pollutants 20
Recommendations 20
ST. CLAIR RIVER 23
Environmental Conditions 23
Specific Concerns 23
Sources of Pollutants 25
Recommendations ..,.,..., ., , 26
LAKE ST. CLAIR 30
Environmental Conditions 30
Specific Concerns 30
Sources of Pollutants 31
Recommendations 33
DETROIT RIVER 37
Environmental Conditions 37
Specific Concerns 38
Sources of Pollutants 39
Recommendations 40
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS 45
Appendix 1
Management Committee and Activities Integration Committee 47
Appendix 2
Workgroup Reports , 49
-------
Vlll
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1 Map of Great Lakes Basin showing study areas , 4
Figure 2 Zones of Impairment of Benthic Fauna in the St. Marys River 18
Figure 3 Zones of Impairment of Benthic Fauna in the St. Clair River 24
Figure 4 Zones of Impairment of Benthic Fauna in the Detroit River 36
Table 1 Watershed Characteristics 5
Table 2 Water Use , 6
Table 3 Summary of Contaminant Concerns 7
Table 4 Summary of Major Loadings 10
Table 5 Waste Sites 11
Table 6 Summary of Long-term Monitoring Recommendations 14
Table 7 Summary of Point Source Contaminant Loadings to Lake St. Clair 32
-------
PARTI
-------
i.
Changes in environmental quality respiting
from the intensive use of the Great Lakes waters
are becoming better known.
As early as the 1940's researchers recognized
that contaminants entered the lakes from many
different sources over a wide area, Tbday it is
commonly accepted that toxic and chemical
issues are not only scientifically and technical-
ly complex, but that interdisciplinary study and
interjurisdietional cooperation is required in
order to understand and resolve these issues.
The Upper Great Lakes Connecting Chan-
nels Study {UGLCCS) is a landmark in advan-
cing our overall understanding of the en-
vironmental conditions of the Great Lakes
Basin. UGLCCS is a unique cooperative under-
taking by eleven institutions at the federal,
state, provincial and municipal levels to:
i) assess the environmental quality of the
Detroit, St. Marys, St. Clair Rivers and Lake
St. Clair;
ii) identify and assess the major pollution
sources to these waters;
iii) recommend actions to ensure the remedia-
tion and protection of these waters.
Initiated in late 1983 by the United
Environmental Protection Agency, UGLCCS
became a full bilateral multi-agency investiga-
tion in July 1984. The principal involv-
ed were the USBPA, Environment Canada
(DOE), Ontario Ministry of the Environment
(OMOE), Michigan Department of Natural
(MDNR), U.S. Fish and Ser-
vice U.S,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion (NOAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(COB), the City of Detroit, Fisheries and Oceans
Canada (DFO) and the Ontario Ministry of
Natural (OMNR).
Despite the reduction in contaminant loadings
to the Great Lakes over the two decades,
beneficial of these waters continue to be im-
paired. The Detroit, St. Clair and St. Marys
Rivers have been designated by the Interna-
tional Joint Commission as "Areas of Concern"
because pollutant levels have exceeded certain
water quality objectives of the 1978 Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The 1978 Protocol, amending the Agreement
calls for a binational effort to develop and im-
plement Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) to restore
"Areas of Concern". The findings and recommen-
dations of this study will facilitate the develop-
ment of RAPs and measure the restoration of
these magnificent waters.
-------
GREAT LAKES
BASIN
SHOWING UPPER CONNECTING
AMNELS
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Illinois
-------
2.
The Upper Connecting Channels function as the
drainage system for Lakes Superior, Huron and
Michigan, funnelling large volumes of water,
sediment and nutrients. They form a diversity
of habitat conditions attracting numerous
species of fish, waterfowl and plants. Tables 1,
2 and 3 summarize hydrologieal characteristics
of the channels, the current water uses and the
major contaminant concerns, respectively.
Land use in the vicinity of the channels,
although containing concentrations of urban and
industrial areas, is mainly rural. The Detroit
River watershed is the most industrialized, hav-
ing the largest population and the Lake St. Glair
watershed is the most agricultural.
It is the use of the channels as receiving waters
that provide the for the UGLCC Study.
Wastes from the following industrial
discharged into the connecting channels: pulp
paper, electrical power generation,
making and casting, mineral extraction,
chemical manufacturing, petrochemical and
refining, and automobile manufacturing. The
channels also receive from municipalities,
agricultural and urban runoff, waste disposal
sites and the atmosphere. Chemicals released in-
clude synthetic organics, metals and nutrients.
1
Watershed characteristics of the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels
Inlet
Outlet
Length (Area)*
Elevation Fall(m)*
St. Marys
River
L. Superior
L. Huron
101-121 km
6,76
St. Clair
River
L, Huron
L. St. Clair
84km
1.5
Lake
St. Clair
St. Clair E.
Detroit River
1115 km2
Detroit
River
Lake St. Clair
L. Erie
51 km
1.0
Flow nAsee x 1000**
Minimum
Average
Maximum
Average Flow Vel, m/s*
Depth (m)*
Width (km)*
Retention. Times
Controlled Flow
Land Drainage Area***
kma x 1000
(cumulative total)
1.2
2.2
3.7
0.6-1.5
Shallow-30
0,3-6.4
1 day§
Y
49.3
3.0
5.2
6.7
0.6-1.8
9-21
0.25-1.1
21 hre
N
146.6
O.OL0.08
3,4 avg.
8.2 max.
39
2-9 days
N
159.0
3.1
S.3
7.1
0.3-0.6
645
0,66-3.0
21hra
N
ieo.9
* Limno-Tbcli, 1985. 1986 Summary of existing rtatui of the Upper Great Lakei Connecting Channel! data,
unpublished manuscript.
** David Cowgill, U.S. Army Corps of Ingtaeere.
*** Calculated from The Great Lakes; An Environmental Atlas and Resource Book and Limno-Tbch manuscript.
-------
TABLES
Water use of the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels
Shipping
Commercial Fishing
Sport Fishing
BoatingSailing
Swimming
TO:
Drinking Water Intake
Municipal
- Communal/Private
Industrial Intakes
- Iron &
- Pulp & Paper
- Petrochemical
- Refining
- Thermal Generating
- Hydroelectric
- Navigation (Locks)
- Mineral (Salt & Lime)
RECEIVING
Municipal STP
Industrial
- Iron &
- Pulp & Paper
- Petrochemical
- Refining
- Thermal Generating
- Mineral (Salt & Lime)
- Fabrication (Auto)
Ship Ballast
N - Negligible Use
L - Limited Use
O - Occaiional Use
F Frequent Use
S - Significant - High Uae
X - Present
St. Marys -
River
S
L
S
F
L
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
St. Clair
River
S
N
S
S
F
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lake
St. Clair
S
F
S .
S
S
X
X
X
X
Detroit
River
S
N
S
S
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
-------
TABLE 3
Summary of contaminant concerns in the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels
WATER SEDIMENT BIOTA
CONTAMINANTS
Phosphorus
Ammonia
Bacteria
Chlorides
Oil and Grease
Phenols
Pesticides
PCBs
PAHs
Other Organics
Heavy Metals
Mercury
Cyanide
1
s
35
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
* A h
> a B
! 2 2
3 03 *j
s J 1
*! ,3 P
X X
X
X X
X X
X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X X
X
2 1
53 o
3§ rf
X
X X
X X
X X
X
X X
X X
'a
o
s
J
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
5
1
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
r-i
*i
«
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
jg
Q
&
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
o
j>
ri
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
**-*
K
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
-------
3. OF
The TJGLCC Study conceived to integrate
scientific information and data on the Upper
Connecting Channels and to develop recommen-
dations for binational efforts to
"Areas of Concern".
The study was carried out in three
1) reYiew existing environmental information.
2) conduct field, laboratory and modeling
studies to fill information gaps, and
3) consolidate findings into a single report
which will provide guidelines to
developing Remedial Action Plans.
Field studies were undertaken:
1) to identify and measure sources of con-
taminants and their impacts on beneficial
uses and on the ecosystem;
2) to determine the adequacy of existing control
measures;
3) to recommend controls, and
Eight workgroups produced 25 reports developed
from 170 studies on water quality, sediments,
biota, point sources, non-point sources, modeling,
data quality and long-term monitoring. The
workgroup reports and committee memberships
are listed in the Appendices.
The UGLCC Study pioneered the of the
balance concept (pollutant input/output) for plan-
ning and design of a large scale environmental
study of toxic substances. The calculations iden-
tified areas in the channels that acted as sources
or sinks for a given pollutant with respect to the
remainder of the system. The models
provide a suite of tools that can be us-
ed to the transport, and exposure of
pollutants in each channel. However, time and
resources were insufficient to collect the
data to verify the models.
4) to recommend surveillance programs to
monitor the effects of restoration efforts.
-------
4. GENERAL FINDINGS
Each of the four study areas is unique in terms
of its physical characteristics and history of
human use. However, a number of issues com-
mon to the channels have been identified. The
following statements relate to all of the Upper
Great Lakes Connecting Channels.
* The UGLCC Study confirms that many of the
environmental quality problems of the region
cut across political jurisdictions and can on-
ly be solved through coordinated, long term
planning efforts by the jurisdictions affected.
AH four water bodies suffer from con-
taminated sediments, high concentrations of
oil and grease (except Lake St. Clair) and the
bioaccumulation of certain toxic pollutants
in local aquatic organisms. There is con-
siderable variation among channels.
Levels of organic and inorganic toxic
substances often exceed standards and
guidelines, particularly in the vicinity of the
urban and industrial dischanges.
Boint lources are the largest loadings of most
contaminants even though most discharges
are regulated (see Table 4),
* Combined sewer overflows are major sources
of contaminants to the channels.
» Non-point loadings, particularly from
agricultural and urban runoff and at-
mospheric deposition, can be locally signifi-
cant, however, quantification of the
magnitude of these inputs remains poor to
nonexistent.
* Several cases of probable transboundary
movement of pollutants in the channels were
identified. However, whether or not trans-
boundary mixing occurs in the channels is
of little consequence as it always occurs in the
downstream lakes.
There have been substantial reductions in
conventional pollutants since the earlj
1970s, however, particular concerns remain
related to oil and grease, phosphorus and
heavy metals. The effects of historical
discharges continue to impact the ecosystem,
Oil and grease in sediments, particularly in
the three rivers, is directly with
impacts to benthic communities, and should
not be detectable in any form in the rivers.
The lack of numerical objectives for water
and sediment may have reduced the effec-
tiveness of remedial programs.
Fine-grained sediments in embayments
downstream of effluent diicharges are
polluted from historical and in on-
going discharges and act as exposure
to aquatic biota.
Accidental spills of pollutants can result in
shock loadings of almost any pollutant in
amounts equal to or greater than annual
loads from ongoing regulated discharges,
Waste sites have been identified and ranked
(Table 5) however, very little is known about
the specific loadings of contaminants to the
waters of the St. Marys, St. Clair and Detroit
Rivers. More investigations are required to
determine if waste sites have an impact on
the rivers.
There is a lack of detailed information on
levels of toxic contaminants in waterfowl and
aquatic mammals.
Multi-agency studiei require an
quality management program to ensure a
reliable, comparable database for
decision-making.
-------
10
TABLE 4
Summary of Major Point, Tributary and Nonpoint Source Loadings to the St. Marys, St. Glair and Detroit Rivers
PARAMETER LOADINGS
OIL i TOTAL AMMONIA SUSPENDED , .
MAJOR SOURCES GREASE PHOSPHORUS NITHOGEN SOLIDS """s
ST. MARYS RIVER:
rUgcma Steel 1.9SO 20.0 3.990 4.234-
9441 6.25S 8.f3Y
St. Marya Paper 231 4.7 8.0 2.829
Em End WWTP 319 898 195.5 900
W*K End WWTP 13 5.7 148 39.1
Mithras POTW . 63 - 47.3
E. Davijnon Creet - 27 17.6 1.713
Fort Creek - Oil 0.17 353
Bennett Creek - Oil 28 158
Total Point Source1 2.544 123.6 4,227- 10.274-
Loadinaa2 10.036 6.491 14.177
Total Noninint Source 91.2 17.56 35,8 MOO
Total Loading, lo 2,635- 117 21 1,253- 11,674
St. Hani Biter 10,126 6,617 15,577
ST. CLAIR RIVER;
Dow Chemical 285 ' 695
Port Huron WWTP 24.6 -
Pt. Edward WPCP .....
Cole rTwp.1 Drain 1,300 311 -
Polyaar Sarnia 303 350 596 -
Sarnia WPCP 244 436 633 - 2,000
Marine City WWTP ....
Ethy! Ctrtadu ....
Cn. inc. 128 256 4,980
St. Ciaii Count! (Adorns WWTP) - - 181
Sunoor ....
Total Point Source 3.170 89.9 1,670 9.400 7.700
ixudinj?
ToUl Noupoint Source 129.3- 6.03- 20.0-
Loadinga3 £01.1 13.97 51.0
Total Loadinga to 3.299- 95.9- 1.890 9,400 7,700
St Ciaii Riser 3.371 103.9 1,72!
DETROIT RTVER:
Detroit WWTP 9.090, 930, 6.628-
14,042 2.023 19.790
Rouge Sue! 9,090 ....
General Chemical Worth Drain) ....
Weyue County. Wyandollc WWTP 727 245 3.230
Wayne County, Trenton WWTP ....
Weat Windsor WPCP 1,130 ISO -
McLouth Steal Trenton Plant 7,060 . .
Great Ukea Steel 80" Mill 4.260 ....
Great L*kea Steel Eos Plant 3,660 . .
Great Ldkea Steel Zug laland ....
Ford Canada ....
Little River WWTP ....
Pennwalt ....
TrentenwVrP .....
MoMlnto .....
TolalFoiutSottne 34.0CF7. 1,325- 9868-
LoadiDgi1 38.969 1M18 22,930
LITTLE t TURKEY HTVEHS* - 13 - 3.023
ROUGE t ECOHSE RTVE.RS* - 301 - 82,825
O1«EH NONPOUrr5 9,354 479 1,719 22,900
Total Loading K. 43,39] 2.14S 11,607 108,748
Detroit Biter 48,343 3,240 24,679
CHU3RIDE COPPER
18,885
713
2.S1!
S98
952
286
871
24,147
6.088-
10.117
29,215
34,284
283^20
11,400
19,900
29.800
356.003
3,223-
6,474
359,233-
382,174
231.005
36,480
1,050,000
1.367.100
9,1506
2SS,8CO
18,577
1,614,600
-1,1
OJ3
1.1
0.20
083
1.57
240
6.24
U2
0.93
118
i set
13.06
713-
9SO
15.1
17.2
4.95
3.43
344
51.3
138.1
049
205
3.12
76.4-
160.2
mON LEAD
1.747- 4.8!
2^75
8-6 0-17
42.6 liOi
5.2 0 19
718
122
1,22
1,889 6,175
2,417
252 4,3
2,141- 10.47
2.669
95.6 8^4
235
137 2S
19.1
299
582 29
11* 5.6
70* 348
715
592- 7,13,
1,897 137
W50 853
239
545 377
215
222 303
3.383- 19.7-
4,658 179
3
113
586 55
4,064- 184.7
5,353 234
MEECim
6.605
0.0
0,0005
0.0001
0,0056
0001!
0.0067
0,02*7
0096
0,0443
Oiooas-
0004
0.017-
0.018
0,0636-
O.S39
tlSfs
8,0027
o.oeiea
0-6103
0.60315
OJ0020J
0103
0,578
0016
805
4,53
449-
4,96
( zmc
33.7
0.09
1.91
0,56
0.78
0,13
0.06
36,99
10.0
17,03
8.2
2,8
19,7
2,4
2,6
44.9
6658
51.6
223-
283
748
32,3
137
132
599-
669
5.33
479
73,1
1,156-
1,216
MCKEL CAD«JU,i COBALT
0,595- O.006-
0.926 0,021
0-3iS- 0,006-
0.926 6.02!
8644
O.6S7
O.973 0,137
4.37 O.143
0.408 0624-
0.653 0.152
4,85- 0.169-
5,03 0,31
95.8- 1.4
197 13
0.55
6.!
6.7
8,136
0.737
9.2
111.7- 8.98-
212.9 20.6
49.2 O.009
9-7 5.8S
15,4 4,4
186- 19,5-
28" 58,9
72,9 9-O-
114
0.71
0^1
0.62
tM Ml
0.605 6,664
6.62 6,68
73.2 10,93
115.9J
6.0- 0,071 0,53
6.721
6.0 73.29 11,4-
6-721 H6.4
- ITO
169
Oil OM
8.67 0,16 1,08
«,»« - 1.32
1,8
- 8>S
8,86 3,2 12,2
0.0- 1 J 8.552-
0-S12 0.575
0-86- 5.6 12JS-
127 12.57
2.8S 59 39,0
106 45,1
6,12 17,3
5,61
5,6 3.7
1,95
6.*
1.9 '. as
2,28 16J
6.53
12.6 73, 122.8
128 129J
8.025 8.23 1.J6
1263 75,25- 124J-
120.25 1S1.S
1. Point Source Data are bued pnnunli on the 1985 and 1986 UGLCCa survey tnulti Raniet reflect the difference
between UGLCCS data and either MISA (Algoma) or nelT-mniloring data (Algolua and Dettoit WWTP),
2. Totab include additional miaor Jtoureee.
3. Eatimatea beaed oo partial databaaea.
4. Bued on Detroit River System maaa balance trtudy.
5. Detroit CSO and Windaor Stonnwater £ CSO.
0,20
121
005
0,42
0.001
8.84
8,886
8.085
0.723-
1733
0^8-
0.90
1.057.
2.S85
51*
0,172
121,0 0.183
0.118
43,2 0.045
264 0,336
6.143-
0.263
254 8.478-
0.638
5-15
'. 6.311
041
6,9
0.24
6.14
OJXH1-
OJXB
6.66H-
6.669
0,0032
0,003
0,009
6.8638-
6.8641
0,8138-
0,019
0,200.
0-256
0.6236
0,0593
0-0392
Oi7B-
OJ34
0,001
6.151
6.24
0,87-
0,73
* B©Be - BssehesiitsI Qx?&s
PA It a * Falyiiudear fFelycye
PCBa Pojjtfe
HCB -- H.,ad
OCS = QSKh
WtSSSltQ B}$S
brebeosese
igrsstyreae
0,00005*5-
0,000016
6.0000055
6.866016
0.03
0,03
6.862
O.OS2
0.001.
0-OU
0.60027
6.86043
8.88H2
0X10036
0-0023-
0,012
6.8000*
0,00238-
0,0121
0,0047
0-OW1
0-0001
0-««9
o.oeooi
0,00494
0,0086»7
0.000845
6.860014
8.866W1
«600W7
0,000087
ie& Areraatie Hytlrseajlxpns
eB/ls
NOTE; Dflfihea (-') indicate no data collected.
-------
ii
5
Waste in the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels1
UNITED
St. Marys River
Cannelton Industries, Inc. Site
Superior Sanitation Landfill
Union Carbide Site (Sault Ste. Marie Disposal Site)
St. Clair River
A & B Waste Disposal
Hoover Chemical Reeves Disposal
Wills Dump Site
Winchester Landfill
Lake St. Clair
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Sttgarbush Landfill
Detroit River
BASF-Wyandotte (North Works)
BASF-Wyandotte (South Works)
Chrysler-Trenton
Edward C. Levy, Co. (Trenton Plant)
Edward C. Levy, Co. (Plant #3)
Federal Marine Terminal Properties
Huron Valley Steel Corp.
Industrial Landfill (Firestone)
Jones Chemical
Michigan Consolidated Gas (Eiverside Park)
Monsanto Co. Site
Pennwalt Corp. Site
Petrochemical Processing Site
Point Hennepin Site
Zug Island (Great Lakes Steel)
CANADA
St. Maryi River
Algoma Steel Slag Site
Sault Ste. Marie (Cherokee) Landfill1
St. Clair River
Dow Chemical Site (Scott Road)
Polysar Ltd, Site Road)
Detroit Hiver
Fighting Island Site
1 Sites within 19 kilometres of the connecting channels with known or potential to the con-
necting channels,
2 Follow-up investigation of this indicates that leachates have been detected in the groundwater
or surface water adjacent to this site.
Information in this table is correct as of January 1988
-------
12
5. SPECIFIC CONCERNS
The St. Marys, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are
subject to contaminant loadings which have
resulted in changes to the water quality,
sediments and biota.
i) Major Loadings
Table 4 summarizes the loadings of 21 con-
taminants (measured in kilograms per day) to
the three rivers. These data are based primari-
ly on the 1985 and 1986 UGLCCS point source
surveys. Ranges reflect the differences between
UGLCCS and either MISA or self-monitoring
data.
The largest point sources in each channel were
sampled. Below are selected parameters and
facilities with the largest loadings.
Oil and
Grease
Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Cyanide
Phenols
PAHs
Detroit WWTP
Rouge Steel
Algoma Steel
McLouth Steel
Great Lakes Steel
Ford Canada
Ethyl Canada
Detroit WWTP
Detroit WWTP
Dow Chemical
9090-14 042 kg/day
8090
1950-9441
7060
4260 and 3650
30.3
19.1
7.13-137
0.064-0.54
0.029
PCBs
HCB
Wayne County-
Wyandotte WWTP 6.1
Detroit WWTP 1.4-13.0
Algoma Steel 72.9
Detroit WWTP 59-106
Ford Canada 48.2
Detroit WWTP 39.0-45.4
Algoma Steel 9-114
Rouge Steel 5.15
Sault Ste. Marie
East End WWTP 0.42
Algoma Steel 0.2-1.21
Detroit WWTP 0.20-0.26
Dow Chemical 0.03
Detroit WWTP 0.001-0.011
ii) Water Column
« Water quality impairment continues near
municipal and industrial discharges,
tributary mouths and in areas of con-
taminated sediment.
iii) Contaminated Sediments
* Toxic amounts of metals, synthetic organics
and conventional pollutants have ac-
cumulated in sediments.
Specific contaminants in sediments are
detrimental, to the point of lethality, to ben-
thic organisms.
« Accumulation of oil and grease does not sup-
port habitat needs of aquatic insects.
Some areas of the sediments are completely
devoid of life as a result of contamination.
» PAHs found in sediments may be associated
with tumor incidence in bottom-feeding fish.
Sediment contaminants are not likely to
diminish through natural processes in the
short term.
iv) Bioaceumulation
* Bioaceumulation of toxic contaminants
threatens beneficial uses of ecosystem
resources such as the commercial and sport
fisheries and trapping of fur-bearing
mammals.
Chlorinated organic compounds found in the
connecting channels have a potential to
bioaeeumulate in tissue and to affect
reproduction and off-spring of aquatic
wildlife and waterfowl.
» Contaminant burdens in fish and wildlife
have resulted in consumption advisories for
certain species in these areas.
-------
13
6. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
The study has identified the need to relate pollu-
tion abatement to ecosystem concerns. Water
quality, effluent quality, sediments and biota
standards and guidelines currently are not con-
sistent, not always enforceable and do not cover
all chemicals and media,
The current regulatory programs are not
fully effective in controlling pollution
loadings within the connecting channels,
Specific discharge limitations vary between
jurisdictions.
A number of persistent contaminants not
covered by regulations are discharged into
the channels from permitted industrial and
municipal discharges.
Contaminant discharges regulated by con-
centration limits enter the channels in high
volumes causing significant total loadings.
Permit limits are developed chemical-by-
chemical and medium-by-medium and may
overlook potential synergistic effects unless
whole effluent toxicity testing is utilized.
To correct the situation the Management
Committee recommends a comprehensive
regulatory program which would include:
Coordination among all regulatory agencies
in setting both ambient and effluent stan-
dards and undertaking remedial clean-up
actions;
Consideration of ecosystem objectives in stan-
dard setting;
A multimedia approach;
Synergistic properties between contaminants
taken into account when setting levels for
specific substances;
Developing further controls to cover all per-
sistent toxic chemicals currently discharged,
with the ultimate goal of zero discharge built-
in through the application of increasingly ef-
fective technology;
Agreement among agencies to a list of
chemicals to be monitored using standardized
methodologies for sampling, analysis and
reporting;
Detailed assessment of contributions of non-
point sources including waste disposal sites,
combined sewer overflows, atmospheric
loadings and tributary loadings as well as the
implementation of effective control measures;
Reduced pollutant loads from stormwater
sources, combined sewer overflows, sewage
treatment plant bypasses, industrial
pretreatment through technological develop-
ment and stricter controls;
Improved reporting of spill incidents and im-
proved on site spill containment facilities;
* Completing the identification of con-
taminated groundwater and undertaking
monitoring where required;
A coordinated education program emphasiz-
ing the benefits (financial and otherwise) of
improving the current environmental reali-
ty, targetted to dischargers and the general
public to encourage responsible actions.
Remedial programs should aim to:
» Prevent further decline in ecosystem quality;
Achieve improvements in ecosystem quality
as evidenced by the return of sensitive species
including the benthic invertebrate communi-
ty and fish-eating aquatic birds;
Restore beneficial uses of the channels and
associated areas;
Virtually eliminate contaminant discharges
at specific sources by regulatory or voluntary
measures. In the interim, specific recommen-
dations are suggested for each geographic
area for industrial and municipal point
sources and non-point sources;
Remove, treat or allow burial of contaminated
sediments, as appropriate, to reduce biotic ex-
posure, restore water quality and beneficial
uses;
Achieve the greatest possible restoration in
each area. Restoration will depend on the ap-
plication of the knowledge obtained from ad-
ditional research.
-------
14
7. LONG-TERM MONITOEING PROGRAM
The focus of the UGLCCS was to identify pro-
blems in the ecosystem and how to remedy them.
Long-term monitoring recommendations provide
a framework to focus on trends in environmen-
tal quality and to assess the effectiveness of
remedial actions. Monitoring should be suffi-
cient to 1) detect system-wide trends noted by the
UGLCCS, 2) detect changes resulting from
specific remedial actions, and 3) assess whether
beneficial uses have been restored.
The Great Lakes International Surveillance
Plan (GLISP) will contain plans for long-term
monitoring. The GLISP for the Upper Great
Lakes Connecting Channels will be completed
by incorporating results of this study.
Besults from UGLCCS will be incorporated in-
to each RAP, and will influence state and pro-
vincial monitoring programs. Table 6 sum-
marizes the basic recommendations for long-
term monitoring programs.
TABLE 6
Summary of long-term monitoring recommendations.
Monitoring/Study Area
Head/Mouth Transects
Tributaries
Municipal & Industrial Source
CSO and Runoff
Groundwater Inflow
Sediment TVansport
Sediment Chemistry
Atmospheric Deposition
Biota
Sport Fish
Spottail Shiners
Clams
Habitat Survey:
Mayflies/Benthos
Wetlands
St. Marys River
R/MB
T/MB
H/MB
E/MB
mm
E/MB
T
E
RT
S/T
E/S/T
T
T
St. Glair River
R/MB
T/MB
VMS
EB/R
E/MB
T
E
R/T
m
S/T
T
T
Lake St. Clair
R/MB
T/MB
E
E/MB
8MB
E
T
E
R/T
BIT
E/ST
T
T
Detroit River
RMB
T/MB
R/MB
B/EMB
ESK
E/MB
T
E
E/R/T
SIT
T
T
Frequency
B=2/yr
MB=5yr
Seasonal/
Storm events
NS
NS
NS
Once
St. Marys/
St. Clair:
5 yr
As needed
1 or 2/yr
Annual
NS
*
*
St. Marys: Syr others Syr
R = Regulatory Program Needs, S = Site Specific, T = Trend, E = Exploratory/Load Estimate, MB = Mass Balance Needs,
NS = Not Specified.
-------
15
8. REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS (RAPs)
The St. Marys, St. Glair and Detroit Rivers have The individual RAPs will list impaired uses,
been identified by the Parties to the Great Lakes sources of contaminants, uses to be restored,
Water Quality Agreement as Areas of Concern. specific remedial actions, schedules for im-
RAPs are being developed for each of these plementation and detailed monitoring
geographical areas as a joint effort by Ontario requirements.
and Michigan with the support of Canadian and
U.S. federal governments. The RAPs include a
public consultation process now underway to
identify the concerns of the community.
I
-------
PART II
-------
Sault St». Marto
Omarto
tUJDR POWT SOURCE
OBCHARGE
Dwedion of Flow
ol mpairmeni relv to the relative occurrence o4 pdlution »i&rani ipee*s and to
erf b«n!h»c upeoos m jcowal. UfiKnpairad joo« may fwvenheteas be
for (n*rn»a ««ien al n prwem in tw phyvctl wbetraw
Figure 2. ZOOM of Impairment of Benthlc Fauna in the St. Marys River
-------
19
ST.
Overall, the St. Marys Ewer is in the con-
dition of the Upper Connecting Channels. The
water quality and biotic diversity are mostly in-
fluenced by Lake Superior. However, localized
water quality degradation has resulted from
steel and paper mills and municipal
treatment plant discharges in Canada. On the
U.S. side, combined overflow discharges
contribute to impairment downstream of the
Edison Sault Electric Company canal. Con-
siderable progress has heen made since 1970 by
Algoma Steel Corporation Ltd, in reducing
ammonia-nitrogen, free cyanide, and phenol
discharges; by St. Marys Paper in reducing
suspended solids loadings; and by the municipal
sewage treatment plants in improving the
removal of phosphorus and organic matter.
The results of the present study show that
significant zones of degraded water, sediment
and/or biotic quality still remain along the Cana-
dian shoreline.
Zones of environmental degradation occur in
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, particularly in
slips and embayments at, and/or downstream
of, Algoma Steel and St. Marys Paper.
Adversely impacted benthie communities
generally occur in a band approximately
500 m wide, extending 3 km along the Cana-
dian shore downstream of industrial
discharges (Figure 2).
Some physical habitat has occur-
red as a result of the construction,
maintenance, and operation of navigation
streetures (e,g,, dams and locks), shoreline in-
filling for disposal, channel maintenance
activities, and ship passage.
» U.S. and Canadian waters do not mix to a
significant extent in the upper river or main
channel, but cross-channel mixing
occur in the lower river downstream of the
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario East Bnd Waste
Water Treatment Plant, In particular, trans-
boundary ammonia pollution observed
along the Sugar Island shoreline.
1. Water
* Zones of degraded water quality downstream
of Sault St. Marie, Ontario exceeded
available guidelines for iron, phosphorus,
fecal bacteria, phenolics, and benzo(a)pyrene
(one type of PAH),
Although within their respective guidelines,
the combined effect of ammonia and cyanide
concentrations may result in toxic conditions.
* Spills of contaminated materials in the St.
Marys River result in significant short term
in the concentrations and loadings
of some pollutants.
2. Sediment
» Bottom sediments in of the St.
Marys River exceeded both OMOE and/or
USEPA dredging guidelines for the following
pollutants: arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel,
zinc, iron, copper, chromium, nutrients, oil
and grease, and benzo(a)pyrene,
» Sediments along the Ontario shore near
Algoma Steel and Sault Ste. Marie and in
Little Lake George were the most con-
taminated. Sediments upstream of the in-
dustrial complexes were uncontaminated.
3, Biota
» Past reductions in pollutant loadings to the
St. Marys River have not adequate to
reduce lediment contamination and impacts
to benthic Contaminants remain-
ing in the sediment, particularly oil and
grease, metals and PAHs, are a major
concern,
« Mercury levels in large specimens of
sport fish exceed the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement objective of 0.5 mg/kg.
-------
20
SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS
Municipal and industrial discharges accounting
for much of the pollutant loading within the St.
Marys River can be found in Table 4, In addition
to the major contaminants quantified in Table
4, loadings of xylene, styrene, benzene, toluene,
chloroform, methylene chloride, 2,4,6-trichloro-
phenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 1,4-dichlorobenzene
and mono and dichloramine totalling 10.7
kg/day have also been identified, Nonpoint
sources, particularly surface runoff from in-
dustrial sites, contribute equal amounts of some
toxic contaminants.
* Algoma Steel had the highest loadings of oil
and grease, ammonia, suspended solids,
chloride, cyanide, total phenols, total metals,
PAHs and total volatiles.
* High concentrations of suspended solids on
the Ontario side can be traced to the Algoma
Steel and St. Marys Paper facilities.
The East End Waste Water Treatment Plant
(WWTP) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, con-
tributes the highest loadings of total
phosphorus, chlorinated benzenes and-
chloroethers to the St. Marys River. It is the
second greatest contributor of oil and grease,
ammonia, chloride, total metals, volatiles,
PAHs, and chlorinated phenols.
* Nonpoint sources may contribute up to 50
percent of PAHs, zinc and lead loadings to the
river, although no extensive measurements
of these sources were made.
Storm drains of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan,
may be the source of high levels of fecal
bacteria found immediately downstream of
the Edison Sault Electric Company canal.
* Bennett and East Davignon Creeks which
discharge to the St. Marys River receive
significant loadings of heavy metals,
phenolics, PAHs and oil and grease, from the
Algoma Steel and Domtar plants as a result
of spills, contaminated groundwater, runoff
and scouring of contaminated sediments.
* Of twelve waste disposal sites studied, three
present a potentially serious threat to the St.
Marys River: the Algoma Slag Dump, the
Cannelton Industries Tannery site, the
Superior Stations landfill.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ontario and Michgan should incorporate into
their respective regulatory programs, the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement goal for the vir-
tual elimination of all persistent toxic
substances. The following specific recommenda-
tions are provided as steps toward that goal.
A. Industrial and Municipal Point Sources
Algoma Steel which was the major con-
tributor of ammonia, phenols, oil and grease,
cyanide and suspended solids must continue
to reduce loadings of these substances to
meet the requirements of the Ontario
Ministry of Environment Control Order, the
compliance dates of which should be enforc-
ed. This recommendation is subject to Recom-
mendations 7, 8 and 9 below.
2. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario East End
WWTP should be equipped with phosphorus
removal in order to bring the total
phosphorus concentration in the final ef-
fluent down to the required 1 mg/L (this is
expected to be on-line in 1989).
3. The treatment capacity of the East End
WWTP is frequently exceeded. To reduce the
frequency of plant overflows and by-passes,
this plant must be upgraded to provide secon-
dary treatment and expanded, or a portion
of the wastewater must be rerouted to the
West End WWTP.
4. The municipality, with the support of the
OMOE, take steps to strictly enforce the
Sault Ste. Marie Sewer By-Law and thus pre-
vent the discharge of untreated industrial
wastes to municipal sewers. The municipali-
ty and/or OMOE should also initiate an
educational program to discourage home
owners from disposing of hazardous or toxic
waste in sewers,
5. Discharges of fecal coliform and fecal strep-
tococci from Algoma Steel, sewage treatment
plants and combined sewer overflows must be
reduced to meet Provincial Water Quality
Objectives.
6. The A.B. McLean aggregate extraction opera-
tions is potentially a significant source of
suspended solids to the St. Marys River.
-------
21
The current, permitted extraction must be
closely monitored and the requirements must
be strictly enforced. Furthermore, the pen-
ding permit application must not be issued
until a comprehensive environmental review
indicates that the increased activity would
not result in unacceptable adverse impacts.
7, Discharge limits for point sources should be
based on mixing zones with all water quali-
ty objectives met at the boundary of each
mixing zone. This zone is expected to be
reduced (ultimately to zero) as advances in
treatment technology are implemented.
8. Depending on the parameter, Algoma Steel
samples their effluent on a daily, weekly or
monthly basis. Most of the controlled
parameters are based on 12 month averages.
Due to the variability in effluent
characteristics, sampling should be more fre-
quent. The frequency and type of sampling
should be re-evaluated and audit sampling
by OMOE should be increased.
9. Additional parameters, such as PAHs, should
be regulated and incorporated into Algoma's
monitoring program,
B. Non-point Sources
10. Ontario and Michigan should conduct addi-
tional studies for both urban and rural runoff
to better identify and quantify loadings of
trace inorganic and organic compounds.
11. Investigate the kinds of contaminants, the
pathways of contamination (surface water
and groundwater), and the magnitude of the
contaminant flux; establish monitoring net-
works as required; and undertake necessary
remedial clean-up activities at the following
waste sites:
i) the Algoma Slag Site;
ii) Cannelton Industries Tannery disposal
site (under CERCLA authority);
iii) Union Carbide and Superior Sanitation
landfills (under Michigan Act 307).
12. Spill containment must be improved at both
industrial and municipal facilities to
minimize the frequency of shock loadings to
the aquatic ecosystem. This will entail spill
prevention, development of contingency plans
to deal with material reaching the river and
the following of established procedures for
the reporting of spills,
C. Surveys, Research and Development
13. Many PAHs have been shown to be bioac-
cumulative or to have toxic effects on aquatic
organisms and some are proven carcinogens.
The absence of specific, numerical water
quality standards makes it difficult to
regulate the discharge of PAHs. An ac-
celerated effort to the ecological
significance of PAHs and to develop
compound-specific criteria is required.
14. There are no regulatory guidelines to permit
assessment of the biological significance of
sediment-associated contaminants. Develop-
ment of such guidelines is required to aid in
site-specific evaluations of contaminated
sediments,
15, Impacts to benthic macroinvertebrate com-
munities have been related to sediment
quality. Further site-specific work must be
completed to prioritize sediment "hot spots"
based on biological impacts. In addition,
physical and chemical characteristics of the
sediment should be evaluated. This informa-
tion will be used to determine appropriate
remedial actions for sediments. Suggested
studies include acute and chronic sediment
bioassays, as well as physical/chemical and
bedload assessments.
16, The development of water quality based ef-
fluent limits for specific PAH compounds re-
quires additional monitoring of point source
discharges (water as well as air) and deter-
mination of PAH concentrations in resident
aquatic indicator species,
17, There is a paucity of data on the near-field
atmospheric deposition of metals and
organics. This information should be obtain-
ed, and evaluated relative to other sources
(e.g. effluents, urban runoff, Lake Superior)
to the river,
18. Suspended solids are of concern due to their
ability to deposit contaminants locally or to
transport them long distances, before settling
-------
22
out. An investigation of the combined effects
of suspended solids discharges from Algoma
Steel, St. Marys Paper, and WWTPs should
be completed. This may involve a sediment
transport modeling effort that considers the
sources, transport and ultimate deposition of
sediment and contaminants. This study
would also allow prioritization of sources for
remedial action.
19. The NPDES Permit for the Sault Ste. Marie,
Michigan WWTP includes effluent limits for
BODB, pH, suspended solids, total
phosphorus, fecal coliform, and residual
chlorine. No loadings were measured for
UGLCCS parameters during the 1986 survey
period. Trace contaminant loadings from this
facility should be determined to verify the
absence of environmentally significant
loadings to the river.
20. The OMOE has issued fish consumption ad-
visories for many large game fish due to mer-
cury contamination. Although the main
source of mercury is believed to be natural,
there are potential sources in the Sault Ste.
Marie urban area. Mercury has been
detected, for example, in all point source ef-
fluents and in stormwater in Sault Ste,
Marie, Ontario. Therefore, it is recommend-
ed that a study to determine the relative con-
tributions of background and urban source(s)
of mercury be completed,
21. Fecal coliform bacteria densities were
detected in river water downstream of the
Edison Sault Power canal in Michigan. Fur-
ther sampling must be conducted to deter-
mine whether Michigan's fecal coliform stan-
dard is being exceeded and, if so, to identify
the source(s) and approprimate remedial
action.
22, For chemicals where sufficient ambient data
and standards are available, the agencies
should develop a contaminant fate and ex-
posure model. The model should provide in-
sight into the fate of chemicals entering and
leaving the river by various pathways as well
as a systematic framework for predicting the
relative effectiveness of proposed corrective
actions.
-------
23
ST. CLAIR HIVER
1. Water
Conflicting interests for resource utiliiation
among industry, wildlife and recreation ma-
jor challenges for the management of the St.
Clair River. Most of the U.S. and Canadian
shores are undeveloped and only relatively small
urban communities exist. However, a large
chemical manufacturing and petro chemical pro-
cessing complex is situated south of Sarnia on
the Canadian side ("Chemical Valley").
Discharges from this complex as well as other
small industries and municipalities, on hoth
sides, have contributed to environmental quali-
ty problems in the St. Clair River. Some major
improvements havew heen made the 1970s,
including a substantial reduction in the concen-
trations of mercury and certain organic chemical
(particularly since 1985) and the shrinking of the
River's zone of highly contaminated sediment.
Loadings of a number of conventional and
organic pollutants, primarily certain toxic in-
dustrial solvents and metals, continue to com-
promise local environmental quality.
Areas of degraded water quality are located
on the Ontario of the river in the Sarnia-
Corunna "Chemical Valley" area of
petroleum refining and chemical manufac-
turing complexes (Figure 3).
Most zones of severely contaminated sedi-
ment were found primarily offshore and im-
mediately downstream of the Chemical
Valley.
* There is virtually no cross-channel transport
of pollutants the international boun-
dary. The river like three flow
panels: a central panel bounded by Ontario
and Michigan shore panels. Pollutants from
outfalls or tributaries tend to remain
to the shorelines, affording little dilution
with river flow.
The contaminants of conern in the St, Clair
River were found to be remarkably consistent
among water quality, sediment and biota.
* Concentrations of bacteria have exceeded
guidelines resulting in the closure of swim-
ming on both of the river,
» Hexachlorobenzene and perchloroethylene
exceed interim guidelines near industrial
outfalls on the Canadian side of the river.
* Octachlorostyrene, hexachlorobutadiene,
hexachloroethane, pentachlorobenzene,
benzene and carbon tetrachloride are
chemicals contributed by Canadian sources
in concentrations which are of concern. There
are, however, no ecosystem or industrial
guidelines to which to compare their
concentrations.
Chloride concentrations in the river do not
exceed drinking water guidelines, however,
the extremely large point source loadings
(356 tonnes/day) may have implications for
downstream biota.
» Spills and leaks from Chemical Valley con-
tinue to be a concern as individual incidents
can contribute loadings of toxic chemicals ap-
proaching the annual on-going discharges.
2. Sediments
* Sediment contamination is highest on the
Canadian side and particularly in the vicini-
ty and downstream of industrial discharges,
These sediments are contaminated to vary-
ing by hexaehlorobeniene, octach-
lorostyrene, PCBs, oil and grease, hex-
aehlorobutadiene, hexachloroethane, pen-
tachlorobeniene, diphenylether and
Mphenyl,
« Significantly elevated concentration! of mer-
cury remain in the sediments on the Ontario
even though industrial sources have
been virtually eliminated. The highest con-
centration,, 51 nag/kg, was found adjacent to
Dow Chemical,
» Levels of lead were generally low, except for
one location near the Ethyl Corporation
Plant, were concentrations as high as 330
mg/kg were found.
-------
Moomomi
Court right
Bowmans Creek
MOTE
ZonM of impainuM refer ID ihe retettva occurenoe d poluuon Btannl spaom and to tw
dfvoraity d boniNc ipeda* in
Figure 3. Zones of Impairment of Benthlc Fauna in the St. Clair River
-------
25
* On the Michigan side of the river, the con-
centrations of UGLCC Study pollutants were
generally low. Localized areas of oil and
grease contamination were found above the
Bluewater Bridge adjacent to Bort Huron,
above the Belle Hiver adjacent to Marine Ci-
ty and along the North Channel downstream
of Algonae.
3. Biota
* The following contaminants were detected in
caged clams and fish exposed to industrial
discharges: hexaehlorobenzene, octachloro-
styrene, PAHs, hexachloroethane, hexaeh-
lorobutadiene, pentaehlorobenzene, carbon
tetraehloride, perehloroethylene and benzene,
* Some large walleye, northern pike, and white
baas contain levels of mercury in edible flesh
that exceed the Great lakes Water Quality
Agreement objective (0,5 mg/kg).
« Sediments from the Chemical Valley area
were found to be lethal to indicator
organisms, such as: mayfly nymphs,
freshwater scud, and fathead minnows,
« Concentrations of PCBs in the older, larger
representatives of a number offish species ex-
ceed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agree-
ment objective (0,1 mg/kgX which is intend-
ed to protect sensitive wildlife.
» A number of pollutants were detected in
biota for which no standards, objectives or
guidelines have been set: alkyl lead com-
pounds were found in game near the
Ethyl Corporation-Sarnia Plant, PAHs were
found in clams, hexachlorobenzene
octachlorostyrene detected in
from all trophic levels.
* The concentration of persistent pollutants
(such as mercury, hexachlorobenzene, oc-
tachlorostyrene and PAHs) is higher in
lampled organisms than in the environment,
reflecting the tendency of these contaminants
to bioaccumulato,
* The potential additive, antagonistic or
synerglstic effects of multiple contaminant
exposures to the river's wildlife and to fish
and duck consumers are not well understood.
OF
Industrial discharges, especially on the Cana-
dian of the St. Clair River, are major sources
of many of the area's toxic contaminants.
Tributaries, urban runoff and combined
overflows, contribute to total pollutant
loadings.
« The petroleum refineries and chemical plants
located on the upper 10 km of the St. Clair
Eiver in the Sarnia-Corunna area are major
sources of hexachlorobenzene, octachloro-
styrene, PAHs, lead, ammonia-nitrogen,
chromium and total volatiles Table 4 in
Part 1).
* The Dow~Sarnia Plant is a principal source
of a number of toxic pollutants of particular
concern: hexaehlorobenzene, octachloro-
styrene, PCBs, copper, mercury and volatiles.
Ethyl Corporation is the major source of
alkyllead in the St. Clair River System.
» The Cole Drain is a principal source of oil and
grease, PAHs and cyanide.
The Sarnia WWTP is a principal source of
total phenols, nickel, phosphorus and
ammonia.
» On the Michigan shoreline, three urban
have storm sewers that drain directly
or indirectly to the St. Clair River, con-
tributing PCBs, ammonia, phosphorus, oil
and and metals: (1) Port Huron; (2)
Marine City; and (3) Algonac.
* Based on studies of Sarnia runoff and com-
bined sewer overflow (CSO) systems, overflow
incidents are a major of ammonia and
phosphorus; runoff and overflow are roughly
equal in the contributions of oil and grease}
zinc and mercury.
» Tributaries to the St. Clair River are major
of phosphorus, a number of pesticide
compounds, and other pollutants.
» Seven U.S. and two Canadian waste
were ranked as high priority on their
potential to impact the river.
-------
26
Historical deep-well disposal of liquid in-
dustrial wastes in the Sarnia area has
resulted in localized phenol contamination of
the freshwater aquifer in the vicinity of some
disposal wells. Generally, this is not con-
sidered a significant source of contamination
to the St. Clair River.
The liquid waste disposed in the deep wells
has migrated out of the original disposal zone
and the fate of the 8 x 106 m3 of waste is
largely unknown. Of particular concern is
the presence of high phenol concentrations
in bedrock layers above the original disposal
zone.
Spills and accidental discharges also are an
important source of pollution. In 1986, a total
of 131 surface water spills to the St. Clair
River were reported; 10 in Michigan and 121
in Ontario.
* One spill of particular note during the study
occurred at Dow Chemical-Sarnia in 1985,
when 50 tons of perchloroethylene were
released into the river.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ontario and Michigan should incorporate into
their respective regulatory programs, the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement goal for the vir-
tual elimination of all persistent toxic
substances. The following specific recommenda-
tions are provided as steps toward that goal.
A. Industrial and Municipal Point Sources
1. Polysar Sarnia should take action to
significantly reduce benzene and phenols in
the American Petroleum Institute (stereo)
separator effluent. The operation of the Biox
treatment system should be optimized to at-
tain the Ontario Industrial Effluent objec-
tives for total phenols and ammonia-
nitrogen. Effluent requirements (in both con-
centration and mass loading form) should be
implemented for PAHs and HCB at the most
stringent levels attainable through the use
of the best available technology.
2. Dow Chemical should significantly reduce its
discharge of organic chemicals to the river.
The facility was a major contributor of 5 of
the 7 organic groups studied. It is noted that
current self-monitoring data are being made
publicly available to demonstrate the effect
of recent remedial efforts at this facility.
Many improvements in operation have been
implemented at Dow Chemical since the time
of the UGLCCS survey. Self-monitoring data
and other sampling results should be review-
ed to determine if additional remedial actions
are needed.
3. The sources of ongoing discharges of mercury
from Dow Chemical and Ethyl Canada
should be identified and eliminated.
4. Ethyl Canada should improve the operation
of its treatment plant to reduce concentra-
tions of tetra ethyl lead to meet the GLWQA
specific objective and the Provincial Water
Quality Objective of 25«g/L. In addition, en-
forceable mass loading limitations for lead
should be instated at this facility. Volatiles,
especially chloroethane, should also be
significantly reduced in the effluent.
5. Polysar Corunna should reduce the concen-
tration of chromium and zinc in the final ef-
fluent. This facility should consider
substituting less persistent additives in the
recycle cooling water system.
6. Effluent concentrations for chloride were
generally below drinking water objectives,
but the total point source loading to the
system was very large (356 tonnes/day). Most
was from facilities in the Sarnia area. The
extreme loadings may be affecting aquatic
organisms downstream of these facilities.
Chloride concentration and loading limita-
tions should be considered for those facilities
discharging significant amounts of chlorides.
7. All potential sources of releases of heat ex-
changer fluids, as evidenced by the presence
of very high concentrations of diphenyl ether
and biphenyl in sediments along Sarnia's in-
dustrial waterfront, should be identified and
controlled.
8, The Sarnia WWTP should be expanded and
upgraded to secondary biological treatment
with phosphorus removal. In conjunction
with the upgrading, the Point Edward
WWTP (a primary plant) should be con-
sidered for use as a pretreatment facility
-------
2?
which would discharge to the Sarnia Plant.
The loading of ammonia-nitrogen, total
phenols, heavy metals, and organics to the
St. Clair River would be significantly reduc-
ed by this action,
9, American Tape in Marysville should be
evaluated to ensure compliance with their
NPDES permit, Michigan Water Quality
Standards and BAT requirements for toluene
and xylene in the discharge.
10, The City of Marysville should be evaluated
to ensure compliance with their NPDES per-
mit and Michigan Water Quality Standards
for toluene in the discharge.
11. The National Pollution Discharge Elimina-
tion System permit for the Marine City
WWTP should be evaluated to ensure com-
pliance with Michigan Water Quality Stan-
dards for cyanide. The pretreatment program
should be reviewed to ensure that cyanide is
adequately regulated. The facility should be
evaluated to determine if acute and chronic
bioassays are necessary.
12. A survey should be conducted at the St. Clair
County-Algonac WWTP to evaluate the effi-
ciency of the treatment system. An ammonia-
nitrogen effluent limitation should be con-
sidered for the facility. Nitrogen loading to
the river and Lake St. Clair may be reduced
by these actions.
13. The City of St. Clair WWTP should be
resurveyed to ensure that the expanded plant
is operating efectively.
14. A study of industrial contributors to the Port
Huron WWTP should be undertaken to iden-
tify the source or sources of cyanide and PCBs
to this facility. Pretreatment requirements
for all industrial contributors should be ex-
amined, and modified if needed. Effluent re-
quirements for cyanide and PCBs should be
considered in the facility's NPDES permit.
15. Biomonitoring studies should be conducted to
determine whole effluent toxicity at industrial and
municipal point sources. This study evaluated the
point sources only on a parameter-by-parameter
basis, with no attempt made to determine the im-
pact of any additive or synergistic effects the
parameters may exhibit.
B. Non-point Sources
16, Sources of PAHs and total cyanide to the Cole
Drain, Sarnia, should be identified. If the
sources are exceeding applicable effluent
guidelines, they should be remediated,
17. The loadings via surface water runoff and
groundwater discharge from landfills in the
Scott Road area to the Cole Drain need to be
determined and treated as necessary.
18. Licensing requirements for sludge disposal
facilities should ensure that surface water
and groundwater are properly monitored and
treated.
19, A and B Waste Disposal, Hoover Chemical
Reeves Company, and Wills St. Dump Site
were all scored under the Superfund Hazard
Ranking System (HRS) apparently without
consideration of groundwater quality infor-
mation. The State of Michigan should deter-
mine, based upon USGS chemistry informa-
tion, the State priority for action at each site.
Development of more complete groundwater
information on-site would allow the State the
options of pursuing Federal action under
Superfund by rescoring the site under the
new HRS (when it is approved), or pursuing
remediation under Act 307 (MERA), Further-
more, the facilities needs for RCRA permit-
ting need to be assessed, or reassessed.
20. The proximity of Eltra Corp. Prestolite waste
site to the St. Clair River, and the nature of
wastes on-site call for careful evaluation of
impacts on groundwater and on the St. Clair
River prior to facility closure under RCRA
authorities. In the event that a satisfactory
evaluation of groundwater contamination
and runoff impacts upon the St. Clair River
are not secured, a Site Investigation (SI)
under Superfund authorities should be
undertaken. The SI should include assess-
ment of both groundwater and surface runoff
impacts upon the St. Clair River.
21. The State of Michigan needs to restrict ac-
cess of dumpers to Winchester Landfill. The
State's development of groundwater informa-
tion for this site would assist in scoring by
the HRS.
22. Michigan and Ontario municipal combined
-------
28
sewer overflows should be intensively
surveyed to determine their contribution of
pollutant loadings to the river. In the long
terra (due to the enormous cost), combined
sewers in all municipalities should be
eliminated. In the interim, the
municipalities should institute in-system
controls to minimize the frequency and
volume of overflows.
23. The Michigan Pollution Emergency Alerting
System and spill reports from the Ontario
Spills Action Centre should be improved so
that all information on recovery, volume (if
known), and final resolution are fed back to
the central reporting system to complete each
report for inventory purposes.
24. Spill management programs at all facilities
should be reviewed and enhanced to reduce
the frequency and magnitude of spills to the
St. Clair River with the goal of eventually
eliminating all spills.
25. Aggressive educational programs on the use
of conservation tillage techniques and
pesticide, fertilizer, and manure application
techniques should be provided to farmers to
reduce rural runoff contaminant contribu-
tions. Stricter legislation to control such ap-
plication should be developed and enforce.
C. Surveys, Research and Development
26. Water quality guidelines need to be
developed binationally for OCS, individual or
total PAHs, hexachloroethane and chlorides.
In addition, Canada needs to develop
guidelines for hexachlorobutadiene, and the
U.S. needs water quality guidelines for hex-
achlorobenzene, phosphorus and pen-
tachlorobenzene. The Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement needs to develop specific
objectives for all of these parameters. Fish
consumption and sediment criteria are need-
ed for HCB, OCS, PAHs, alkyl lead, and other
chemicals found to be of concern in this study.
27. More data are needed to assess the impact
of PAHs on the St. Clair River. Ambient
water concentrations, and point and non-
point source loadings should be measured.
Monitoring should be detailed enough to
allow for the fingerprinting of sources.
28. The importance of contaminant loadings dur-
ing rainfall events needs to be evaluated.
29. The loadings of all chemicals with high
bioconcentration and bioaccumulation poten-
tial should be reduced to minimize contami-
nant body burdens in resident and spawning
fish.
30, Assess the significance of mercury con-
tamination to biota from sediments relative
to ongoing discharges and develop remedial
actions as necessary.
31. Industrial and municipal facilities discharg-
ing to St. Clair River tributaries should be
surveyed to determine their contribution of
contaminants to the St. Clair River. In par-
ticular, contaminant loadings from Talfourd
Creek in Ontario and the Black River in
Michigan should be determined.
32. The potential PCB source in the vicinity of
the Lambton Generating Station should be
investigated and quantified.
33. The loadings and sources of PCBs, PAHs, oil
and grease, lead, ammonia, and phosphorus
from the unnamed creek in Michigan across
from the Lambton Generating Station should
be determined and controlled to ensure com-
pliance with Michigan Water Quality
Standards.
34. The lead source to the Black River in
Michigan should be located and controlled.
35. Sources of bacterial contamination to the
river should be traced and eliminated,
36. A waterfowl consumption advisory should be
considered by Ontario and Michigan for the
St. Clair River.
37. A study on the magnitude of contaminant in-
put to the St. Clair River from Michigan ur-
ban runoff should be undertaken, and an ad-
ditional, more refined study on Canadian ur-
ban runoff should also be performed.
Management control options for urban runoff
should be developed.
38. Contamination from waste disposal sites,
identified as high priority by the Nonpoint
Source Workgroup, needs to be further
-------
29
investigated with regard to contaminant
pathways, including surface water runoff and
groundwater seepage, and environmental
impacts,
39. Continued monitoring of water levels and
water quality in the freshwater aquifer in the
Sarnia is required.
40. The potential for transboundary migration
and contamination of the St. Clair River
and/or the freshwater aquifer in the Sarnia
area from industrial in the 74 m and
123 m depth limestone layers should be in-
vestigated. Of particular concern, is the 74
m depth horizon which likely flows into the
fresh water aquifer in the deeper sections of
the bedrock valley.
41. To understand the fate of the industrial waste
injected into the Detroit River Geological
Group, additional deep boreholes to the
disposal formation are required to quantify
the current directions and rates of ground-
water movement.
42. U.S. and Canadian agencies should co-
operate in undertaking deep-well studies. A
number of deep wells are needed in St. Clair
County to supplement the information from
the Ontario studies. If evidence of impacts
upon Michigan groundwater is developed, a
variety of authorities, including Superfund,
may he applicable for remediation of iden-
tified problems.
43. The potential hiological consequences of in-
chloride concentrations in the St.
Clair River and downstream should be
assessed.
44. Better methods for analysis of PCBs in the
St. Clair Eiver need to be undertaken.
45, Studies should be conducted on the
bioavailability of particle-bound con-
taminants, and contaminant desorption from
suspended and bottom sediments are re-
quired to make a better of the im-
pact of in-place pollutants.
46. Studies on the of multi-contaminant
exposure to aquatic life are required.
47. Studies to better understand the fate and
transport of sediment-borne contaminants
are needed. These studies should include pro-
filing the age and contamination of
sediments in St. Clair River and delta deposi-
tional areas.
-------
30
LAKE ST,
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Four Michigan and three Ontario urban centers
are located in the immediate watershed of Lake
St. Clair. Only Mt. Clemens, Michigan obtains
its drinking water from the lake. Lake St. Clair
is also a popular recreational area, with more
than 10,000 moorings for sail and power boats
and a multitude of sport fishing and duck hun-
ting opportunities,
Unlike the other UGLCCS geographic areas,
Lake St. Clair is not an IJC Area of Concern,
However, it does receive the direct outflow from
two upstream Areas of Concern: the Clinton and
St. Clair Rivers.
The St. Clair River contributes 98% of the
flow and the majority of pollutants to the
lake. This, along with the short residence
time of water in the lake (5 to 7 days), means
that water quality in the lake is dominated
by the outflow of the St. Clair River.
Storms result in the intermittent resuspen-
sion of Lake St. Clair bottom sediments
which become entrained in the water col-
umn, eventually exiting the lake via the
Detroit River. Hence, an average of only 7 cm
of sediment has accumulated in the lake bot-
tom since the last ice age.
With little removal of pollutants due to sedi-
ment deposition or degradation, environmen-
tal quality does not change significantly from
the mouth of the St. Clair River to the head
waters of the Detroit River,
* Overall, water, sediment, and biota quality
have improved over the last decade, but ad-
ditional improvement is necessary to fully
restore all of Lake St. Glair's beneficial uses.
SPECIFIC CONCERNS
A. OPEN LAKE
1. Water
No exceedences of water quality based
guidelines were found in Lake St. Clair.
Overall, the water quality of the lake is not
a concern.
CLAIR
» At the head of the Detroit River, the concen-
tration of PCBs was greater on the U.S. side
than on the Canadian side, suggesting that
a source of PCBs may exist on the western
shore of Lake St. Clair.
* Phosphorus levels increase from the mouth
of the St. Clair River to the headwaters of the
Detroit River with potential adverse impacts
on Lake Erie water quality.
2. Sediments
« Exceedence of Great Lakes Water Quality
Board and OMOE dredging guidelines is con-
fined primarily to the central lake, where up
to 1.2 ppm of mercury was found in the sedi-
ment. However, only 2 of 45 stations were
heavily polluted with mercury.
* Overall, Lake St. Clair sediments are
classified as lightly polluted; sediments in 4
to 20 percent of the stations sampled contain-
ed nickel, chromium, copper, and zinc at
moderately polluted levels.
» Sediments collected in the vicinity of the
Clinton River, Thames River, and the south
central portion of the lake exceed "moderate-
ly polluted" (420-650 mg/kg) and "heavily
polluted" { >650 mg/kg) levels for
phosphorus.
3. Biota
» PCBs in some fish and duck flesh samples ex-
ceed GLWQA objectives.
Hexachlorobenzene and octachlorostyrene
are present in fish and duck flesh in poten-
tially significant concentrations.
* Tissue samples of the larger sizes of certain
sport fish species still exceed the Great Lakes
Water Quality Agreement Objective for mer-
cury of 0.5 mg/kg. As a result, a Public
Health Pish Consumption Advisory exists for
both Michigan and Ontario waters. For 1988,
Ontario has eliminated the "No Consump-
tion" category for the general population, but
the advice for sensitive populations remain-
ed in effect. Michigan's advisory remains
unchanged.
-------
31
B.
* Sediment collected at the mouth of the Clin-
ton and Milk Rivers are sufficiently con-
taminated with some heavy metals to exceed
both and OMOB pollution
guidelines.
* Elevated levels of PAHs were found in
sediments from Cottrel Drain (13,800 jUg/kg),
Clinton River (12,100 and Prog Creek
(10,700 jug/kg).
» DDT and metabolites, gamma-chlordane and
PCBs were detected in 9 of 12 tributary
sediments, with the highest levels in the
Milk River and Cottrel Drain
(196 ugfkg and 1,974 /ug/kg, respectively),
» PCBs in larger members of
species of Clinton River fish, especially bot-
tom feeders, exceed the Great Lakes Water
quality Agreement Specific Objectives and
the Michigan sport fish advisory.
OF
» Major of pollutants to Lake St. Glair
are the St Clair River and six municipal
water treatment plants CJtoble ?). There
are no direct industrial discharges to the
lake.
The water, sediment and biota quality of the
Clinton River is impacted by steadily increas-
ing development in its watershed.
» Agricultural runoff to Lake St. Clair tribu-
taries provides excessive nutrient and
pesticide loads.
» Urban runoff and CSOs contribute some
conventional and toxic pollutants. Three On-
tario municipalities have combined sewers.
Michigan municipalities discharging to the
lake do not have combined sewers.
« Because of the large surface area of the lake,
atmospheric processes may be relatively im-
portant with regard to the deposition of cer-
tain contaminants. However, this has yet to
be quantified.
-------
32
7
Summary of point source contaminant loadings to Lake St. Clair
(kilograms/day)
CONTAMINANTS
Tbtal PCBs
Hexaehlorofoenzene
Hectachlorostyrene
Tbtal Phenols
PAHs
Total Cyanide
Tbtal Mercury
Tbtal Copper
Tbtal Nickel
Ibtal Cobalt
Tbtal Cadmium
Ibtal Lead
Tbtal Zinc
Ibtal Iron
Oil & Grease
Ammonia as N
Chloride
Phosphorus as P
|
8
1
6
-*J
0.002
0.00005
0.00000045
1.03
0.11
0.009
0.40
0.0041
0.0093
0.27
1.12
13.7
48.0
133
1470
32.0
fe
%
G
OS
^
0.0073
0.00059
0.76
0.0023
0.62
3.09
0.20
0.065
0.16
5.65
6.52
8260
40.2
fr,
a F
E ^
J i
a *s
£3
o £
0.00020
0.45
0.0013
0.15 0.40
0.42
0.44
1.79
9.01
82.2
225
4400 5630
12,9 21.6
1
1 «
s £"*
5 J
efl si
(Q o
S *"3
1 1
0.14 0.13
0.0036
0.036
0.0002
2.45
2.44
0.020
0.63
4.29 11.2
23.6
101
1320
PH
EH
|
N
'-,'
at
1
1
0.044
0.26
2.34
20.9
54
4000
5.9
NN
2
^
1
m ^-M
5 -S
JD
pQ F^
.009
.0008
4.5xlO'7
1.65
.0036
0.95
0.013
4.02
5.95
0.204
0.094
0.97
9.85
1.73 48,8
21.1 195.8
513
26080
7.9
Data are based on the UGLCCS point source mrveys of 1985 and 1986,
-------
33
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ontario and Michigan should incorporate into
their respective regulatory programs, the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement goal for the vir-
tual elimination of all persistent toxic
substances. The following specific recommenda-
tions are provided as steps toward that goal.
A. Industrial and Municipal Point Sources
1. The City of Mt. Clemens should determine
the source of PCBs, total phenols and mer-
cury in the WWTP effluent and, through
pretreatment or in-plant controls, reduce the
concentrations of these pollutants to accep-
table levels. Effluent limitations for these
parameters should be considered.
Phosphorus concentrations in the effluent
should be lowered to meet the 1 mg/L Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement Objective,
2. Site specific effluent limitations for total cad-
mium, total copper, total chromium and total
nickel to protect the water quality for the
Sydenham River and Lake St. Clair should
be developed for the Wallaceburg WWTP. The
operation of the plant should be optimized to
meet the Ontario industrial effluent objective
of 10 mg/L for ammonia.
3. The Warren WWTP should determine the
source of PCBs in its effluent and take the
necessary steps to reduce the concentration
to acceptable levels,
B, Non-point Sources
4. Soil management practices in agricultural
areas with high rates of wind erosion need
to be reviewed due to the ability of fine grain-
ed soils to transport nutrients and
agrichemicals. In particular, conservation
tillage should be considered. The primary
reasons for this are the effectiveness of
residue cover in reducing wind erosion and
the low cost of implementing the practice.
5. Rural landowners need to implement with
the assistance of federal, state and provincial
governments, a comprehensive soil and water
management system in order to control, at
source, the contribution of conventional and
organic pollutants including manure and
pesticides to surface and groundwater.
Agricultural and conservation agencies need
to accelerate the implementation of control
technologies through technical, financial and
information/education programs.
Environmental and agricultural agencies
should assess the adequacy of existing con-
trols, regulations and permits for the use of
fertilizer and pesticide products.
Specific programs, especially in Macomb
County, Michigan, should be developed and
directed toward pesticide users with respect
to the handling, application and storage of
pesticide products.
6. Future assessment and control of
agricultural non-point sources of pollution
would be facilitated by compatible federal,
state and provincial monitoring data and
more frequent flow-weighted tributary
monitoring data. The small water quality
monitoring data set available for tributaries
indicated the need for increased sampling for
all parameters, especially for high flow con-
ditions and for understanding seasonal
patterns.
7. Macomb and St. Clair Counties, Michigan,
should be targeted for fertilizer management
directed at reducing excessive levels of
phosphorus. USEPA Region V has requested
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Con-
servation Service Michigan State Office to
develop standards and specifications for a
nutrient, best management practice that
would protect ground and surface waters as
well as sustain crop production. The
Michigan Departments of Agriculture and
Natural Resources are developing a joint ac-
tion plan to manage livestock waste pro-
blems. These programs should be developed
quickly and may require a system of permits
for concentrated feeding operations,
8, The CSOs from municipal wastewater treat-
ment plants should be intensively surveyed
to determine their contribution of pollutant
loadings to the surface waters. In the long
term (due to enormous cost) combined sewers
in all municipalities should be eliminated. In
the interim, the municipalities should in-
stitute in-system controls to minimize the
-------
34
frequency and volume of overflows.
9, The Michigan Pollution Emergency Alerting
System and the Ontario Spills Action Cen-
tre spills reports should be improved so that
all information on recovery, volume (if
known) and final resolution are fed back to
the central reporting system to complete each
report for inventory purposes.
10, The Superfund Site Investigations to be
undertaken at Selfridge ANGB should focus
on groundwater and surface water runoff im-
pacts upon Lake St. Clair and the Clinton
River. In the event that this site is not includ-
ed on the U.S. National Priorities List, the
State of Michigan should place high priority
upon cleanup on this site.
11. Michigan should require groundwater
monitoring as a permit condition for the
Sugarhush solid waste landfill.
12. Michigan should include groundwater
monitoring as part of the permit for
G and L Industries under the Federal Solid
Waste Disposal Act.
C. Surveys, Research and Development
13. Data interpretation would be facilitated by
the development of more complete water
quality objectives for the organic pollutants
and pesticides that are used extensively by
the agricultural industry.
14. The presence of organic contaminants (PCBs,
HCBs and OCS) in the Canadian tributaries
illustrates the need to locate the contaminant
sources.
15. The cadmium content of the phosphate fer-
tilizer that is being used on agricultural
lands should be determined,
16, A study of atmospheric deposition of organic
contaminants, particularly PCBs, to Lake St.
Clair and to the tributary watersheds would
provide quantitative information on loading
of these contaminants to the lake. The
loading estimates are important for mass
balance calculations and the identification of
unknown sources of the contaminants.
17. Urban runoff was identified as being a poten-
tially major non-point source of many
parameters, including PCBs, oil and grease,
zinc, mercury, copper and nickel. The
loadings from urban runoff, however, were
based on contaminant concentrations from
Canadian urban areas outside of the Lake St.
Clair basin. Therefore, the loading informa-
tion provides only a general potential for ur-
ban runoff to contribute contaminants to
Lake St. Clair. A study should be performed
to determine the contribution actually made
by urban runoff on the Michigan shore where
the shoreline is more urbanized than is that
of Ontario,
18, The sediments near the mouth of the Clin-
ton, Sydenham and Thames Rivers contain
contaminants that may be impairing benthic
communities. Studies are needed to docu-
ment possible impairment of benthic com-
munities of these sites. Appropriate actions
to remedy any observed problems will need
to be defined. Techniques and technologies
for remediating in-place polluted sediments
should be developed.
19. Recognizing that the biological effects of a
substance are dependent in part on the
chemical species of that substance, studies
should be conducted to identify the chemical
species and valances of the heavy metals in
Lake St. Clair and its tributaries. For those
forms which are present but for which tox-
icity information is lacking in the literature,
toxicity and bioaccumulation experiments
should be conducted on appropriate target
organisms.
20. The evaluation of the point source data has
been conducted on a parameter by parameter
basis. In order to assess the quality of whole
effluents, it is recommended that biomonitor-
ing studies, both acute and chronic, be con-
ducted at the major facilities (Wallaceburg
WWTP, Chatham WWTP, Warren WWTP,
and Mt, Clemens WWTP),
21. An inventory of all point sources.hazardous
waste sites, urban and rural runoff, and spills
discharging or potentially discharging to the
Clinton River should be made. These
facilities, sites or incidents should then be ex-
amined for their potential to contribute
chemicals to the Clinton River.
-------
35
22. A more complete analysis of sediment, water 23. The Thames and the Sydenham Rivers were
and biota quality along the entire stretch of found to be major contributors of phosphorus,
the Clinton River is needed. Such informa- ammonia, lead and cadmium. An inventory
tion would establish the locations of sources of all point sources, hazardous waste sites, ur-
of contaminants. ban and rural runoff and spills discharging
to thse rivers should be collected. These
facilities, sites or incidences should then be
examined for their potential to contribute
chemicals to the rivers.
-------
NOTi
Zone* of Mparmeot mfer to to mtaitvo oocirenc* o* potfuoon totofint spectM wd » the
dv»rsity (rf bpnthc spoons in ponora
Figure 4. Zones of Impairment of Benthic Fauna In the Detroit River
-------
37
DETROIT RIVER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The Detroit River has the most severe en-
vironmental quality problems of the Upper Con-
necting Channels. It is the most intensively
developed of the upper channels with extensive
urban, commercial and industrial complexes,
particularly on the U.S. side. However, over the
past two decades, improvements have been made
in controlling conventional pollutant point
sources in the Detroit River especially
discharges of oil and grease, and nutrients. Con-
centrations of other conventional water quality
parameters, including chloride, ammonia and
phenols have declined substantially.
The results of the UGLCC Study indicate that
severe problems remain with regard to certain
conventional pollutants as well as toxic organics
and metals.
» The Detroit River is the furthest downstream
of the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Chan-
nels. Hence, environmental conditions are
impacted by upstream pollutant loadings as
well as those contributed directly to the river
and via tributaries to the river.
* The Rouge River is a major tributary to the
Detroit River. It drains an intensively in-
dustrialized and urbanized basin and has
also been designated an Area of Concern
(PAHs, heavy metals).
Water and sediment entering the head of the
Detroit River are subject to contamination
from two Areas of Concern: the St. Clair
River (organic hydrocarbons, volatile
organics, mercury) and the Clinton River
(PCBs, heavy metals and phosphorus),
Cross channel mixing occurs in the lower
river where islands and shipping structures
result in complex currents and eddies. Trans-
boundary movement of pollutants upstream
of Lake Erie thus likely occurs from the U.S.
to Canadian shore under certain wind/flow
conditions.
Trend data from 1970 to 1980 indicate levels
of mercury in sediments have decreased, in
part a result of improvements in industrial
treament facilities. Results of two studies in-
dicated that mercury contamination is
higher in surficial sediments than in the
deeper layers, suggesting that there may be
active sources.
Overall, aquatic biota, especially bottom
dwelling organisms show detrimental
responses to contamination of Detroit River
sediments with organic and inorganic
substances, particularly in the lower river on
the Michigan side and in the Trenton
Channel.
* Normal maerobenthie communities were
found upstream of Zug Island and along the
entire Canadian shoreline. Severely impacted
communities occur along and immediately
downstream of Zug Island. Communities
displaying intermediate impacts are found
along the remainder of the U.S. shore (Figure
4). In the Trenton Channel, the benthos is
dominated by pollution tolerant oligochaetes,
Data on contaminant levels in fish from the
Detroit River are insufficient to determine
trends; however, limited research indicates
continuing high levels of PCBs and chlordane
residues and gradual reductions in levels of
DDT residues,
Increased incidence of fish tumors have been
detected in the lower river.
-------
38
1. Water
» The concentrations of the following UGLCCS
parameters exceed one or more of Michigan
Rule 57 criteria, OMOE guidelines or Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement Objectives
at one or more locations in the Detroit Bi₯er:
PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, PAHs, lead and
mercury,
* Although not measured during
fecal coliform bacteria are of concern in the
Detroit River because fecal coliform bacteria
standards and criteria are routinely violated
on both of the river. have been
closed or not developed because of this conti-
nuing problem.
While phosphorus concentrations in the river
are below relevant guidelines, the total
loading of phosphorus 50 to 80 per-
cent along the length of the Detroit River
resulting in a significant loading to Lake
Erie,
« Mean concentrations of cadmium, copper,
mercury, nickel and zinc were significantly
higher in the lower river, indicative of inputs
from sources along the river,
» PCBs clearly ihow an increase in
downstream concentrations with increases
greatest on the U.S. shore. Highest concen-
trations occur juit downstream of the Rouge
Eiver and in the Trenton Channel.
* At the Eiver mouth, Michigan Rule 57
guidelines were violated for eadmiym, zinc,
mercury, PAHs and organochlorines.
* Levels of cadmium, mercury, lead, zinc and
phosphorus in Eeorse, Canard and Little
Riven, and Turkey Creek violated or
more of the applicable criteria, guidelines or
objectives.
* Organochlorine (OC) pesticides Ce.g., ehlor-
dane, DOT, and dieldrin,) were found in the
upper river, however, significantly higher OC
levels were observed at many downstream
stations on the Michigan side, with highest
value at the mouth of the Rouge River,
2, Sediments
USEPA and OMOE guidelines
exceeded in sediment samples collected at
one or all locations along the Michigan and
Ontario of the Detroit River for mer-
cury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, chromium,
nickel, iron, cyanide, oil and
phosphorus, total ammonia and
PCBs.
Contaminants for which no guidelines are
available but which were found to have high
concentrations include: hexaehlorohenzene,
PAHs, phenols, DDT and metabolites,
phthalate and volatile organics,
* Generally, sediment contamination in the
Detroit River is a concern along the full
length of the Michigan shore and immediate-
ly adjacent to Windsor and Amherstburg on
the Canadian shore. Highest sediment con-
tamination in the river tends to be
downstream of the Rouge River and in the
Trenton Channel.
Certain Detroit River depositional zone
sediments have demonstrated a range of tox-
icity to various forms of aquatic life and
sediments have been classified as hazardous
waste,
Sediments from Detroit River tributaries
were also found to contain levels of con-
taminants that one or more USEPA
and OMOE guidelines. The highest
concentrations found during the study occur-
red in certain tributaries (e.g., PCB and PAH
concentrations in Monguagon Creek the
highest levels in system). Tributaries of
concern include Monguagon, Connors and
Turkey Creeks, and the Rouge and Little
Rivers.
3, Biota
» using bottom water, and
sediment porewater display a range of toxiei-
ty and/or mutmgenieity to certain kinds of
aquatic biota.
-------
39
PCB concentrations exceed Michigan and
OMOE consumption guideline levels in the
edible portion of the Detroit River carp.
Several Detroit River fish species also exceed
the GLWQA objective of 0.1 mg/kg {wet
weight) total PCB in whole fish tissue.
Concentrations of mercury in the edible por-
tion of several species offish (rock bass, fresh-
water drum and walleye) exceed both the
GLWQA specific objective and the Ontario
fish consumption advisory level (0.5 ppm).
Other highly persistent, highly bioac-
cumulative pollutants are present in fish
tissue (e.g., hexachlorobeiizene, oc-
tachlorostyrene, chlordane and DDT
metabolites).
Serious impacts to waterfowl, wildlife and
fish, and their habitats, have occurred in the
Detroit River. Waterfowl and some tern
species, and their eggs, contain high concen-
trations of persistent compounds {PCBs, DDT
and other organochlorine compounds).
Oral/dermal tumors and liver tumors are pre-
sent in brown bullhead, walleye, white
suckers and other species in the lower Detroit
River.
Native and caged Detroit River clams show-
ed increased levels of several metals, especial-
ly lead, cadmium, PCBs, PAHs and several
organochlorine pesticides. Some PAHs found
in Detroit River sediments are probable
human carcinogens, and are thought to be
responsible for some liver, lip and dermal
tumors in fish.
Excessive concentrations of oil and grease are
present in many Detroit River depositional
zone sediments, and have degraded
macro in vertebrate communities.
SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS
There were a total of 75 known point sources
discharging 9,233 x 103m3/day to the Detroit
River basin in 1986. Nine municipal treatment
plants and 20 industrial facilities in the Detroit
River Study Area were sampled during 1985 and
1986.
Detroit area WWTPs discharge a daily
volume of treated wastewater equal to the
combined flows of all the tributaries drain-
ing into the Detroit River. The Detroit
WWTP alone discharges nearly 95 percent
of that treated flow (2,900 x 103 m-Vd) from
outfalls near the mouth of the Rouge River.
« Major industrial facilities discharging direct-
ly to the Michigan side include Great Lakes
Steel Mill and Zug Island facilities, McLouth
Steel and Bannwalt, while major facilities in-
directly discharging to the Detroit River are
dominated by Rouge Steel (formerly the Ford
Motor Rouge Complex), which discharges to
the Rouge River.
On the Ontario side, major dischargers in-
clude the West Windsor WWTP (124 x 103
rnVdX the Windsor Little River WWTP (52.5
x 103 m3/d), Wickes Industries, Ford Canada
and General Chemical.
» The Detroit WWTP is a major point source
for loadings ( >10%) of PCBs, hex-
aehlorobenzene, mercury, nickel, zinc,
chromium, cyanide, ammonia-nitrogen, oil
and grease, total phosphorus and suspended
solids to the Detroit River (Table 4). This
source contributed over 67% of the PCBs
measured from point sources during the
study.
« Other major contributors of contaminants in-
clude: Wayne County-Wyandotte WWTP
(OCS, cadmium, volatiles); Rouge Steel (iron,
PAHs); Ford Canada (total phenols, lead); and
General Chemical (copper, chlorides).
Combined sewer overflows from the Detroit
sewage collection system account for between
10 and 90% of total loadings of phosphorus,
suspended solids, oil and grease, cadmium,
chromium, copper, lead, mercury and PCBs
to the Detroit River (based on pre-UGLCCS
data).
» Sources on the St. Clair River likely account
for the majority of the hexachlorobenzene
and octachlorostyrene in the Detroit River.
» Numerous spills of chemicals, oil and raw
sewage to the Detroit River or its tributaries
were reported during 1986, which is
presumably representative of present-day
spill incidents.
-------
40
» Runoff from agricultural areas, particularly
from the Canadian portion of the Detroit
River watershed, may be an important source
of phosphorus and nitrogen (fertilizers) as
well as pesticides (atrazine, alaehlor,
cyanazine and metolachlor). Fertilizer ap-
plication rates are generally more than twice
the required amount.
« There are 17 waste sites (16 U.S. and 1 Cana-
dian) ranked as high priority with regard to
potential impacts on the Detroit River,
Groundwater monitoring at U.S. sites in-
dicate that some locations may be con-
tributing important loadings of heavy metals
and organic contaminants to the river.
* In addition to shoreline waste sites, two
waste disposal sites are located on islands in
the Detroit River: Fighting Island (Ontario)
and Point Hennepin, Grosse He (Michigan).
Contaminant concentrations in groundwater
at Fighting Island are low and the volume
of leachate is small, but all the leachate and
groundwater will eventually reach the
Detroit River. The Point Hennepin site was
an industrial waste lagoon/disposal site by
BASF Wyandotte (South Works). Little is
known about the type and quantity of wastes
disposed here, but other waste sites operated
by this corporation contain metals and
volatile compounds at concentrations of con-
cern. Also, large sinkholes exist on this
peninsula which may provide a connection
between the surface water and groundwater
aquifers. A surface leachate sample taken on
the eastern side of the peninsula in 1983 was
highly toxic in the Microtox toxicity bioassay.
* There are 234 injection wells on the U.S. side
of the river. Six of these are industrial liquid
waste wells which discharge below any poten-
tial underground drinking water sources. On-
ly 3 are still active, receiving wastes con-
taminated with chloride, ammonia, phenols,
cyanide and sulfide.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ontario and Michigan should incorporate into
their respective regulatory programs, the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement goal for the vir-
tual elimination of all persistent toxic
substances. The following recommendations are
provided as steps toward that goal.
A, Industrial and Municipal Point Sources
1. Although the facility was generally in com-
pliance with its NPDES permit, the Detroit
WWTP was a major discharger of numerous
compounds which impact water, sediment
and biotic quality in the Detroit River. Con-
taminant loadings from this facility should
be evaluated to ensure compliance with
Michigan Water Quality Standards,
a) In general, contaminant concerntrations in
the effluent of the Detroit WWTP are low;
major loadings result from the large volume
and rate of effluent discharged. Control of
contaminants may be obtained through the
Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP). The
IPP of the City of Detroit should be review-
ed, and compliance of contributors of in-
dustrial waste water should be determined.
The adequacy of the pretreatment re-
quirements should be assessed to determine
if parameters of concern in the Detroit River
are adequately regulated. A notice of viola-
tion was issued (September 1988) to the
Detroit WWTP for problems found in its IPP
program. These problems were subsequent-
ly resolved by the City of Detroit.
b) The Detroit WWTP currently performs
secondary treatment on a large portion of its
effluent. During wet weather flow, some ef-
fluent receives only primary treatment prior
to being mixed with secondary treated ef-
fluent and discharged after disinfection.
Metals and organics which may he contain-
ed on suspended solids not removed in
primary treatment are of concern. The City
of Detroit should upgrade its treatment pro-
cess to provide secondary treatment for all of
its effluent discharged, based on results of the
studies on plant capacity initiated in 1985,
c) The effluent limitations contained in the
Detroit WWTP NPDES permit should be re-
examined in light of the findings of this study
to ensure compliance with Michigan Water
Quality Standards. Consideration should be
given to increasing the number of parameters
monitored by the permit. All effluent limita-
tions should be the lowest technically feasi-
ble. Bioassays of the effluent to determine
both acute and chronic impacts to aquatic
organisms should be considered for inclusion
as a condition of the permit. The Detroit
-------
41
WWTP NPDES permit should be reissued as
soon as possible.
2. The Wayne County-Wyandotte WWTP was a
major discharger of numerous compounds
which impact water, sediment and biota
quality in the Detroit River, Although the
facility was generally in compliance with its
effluent limitations, the NPDES permit
monitors very few parameters found to be of
concern in the Detroit River.
In general, contaminant concentrations in
the effluent of the Wayne County-Wyandotte
WWTP are low; major loadings result from
the large volume and rate of effluent
discharged. Control of contaminants may be
obtained through the Industrial Pretreat-
ment Program (IPP). The IPP of the Wayne
County-Wyandotte WWTP should be review-
ed. The compliance of industrial contributors
should be determined and the adequacy of
the pretreatment requirements should be
assessed. Pretreatment requirements should
be considered for all parameters of concern
in the Detroit River system which are being
discharged by the industrial dischargers.
Contaminant loadings from this facility
should be evaluated to ensure compliance
with Michigan Water Quality Standards and
BAT requirements.
3. The City of Trenton WWTP exceeded its per-
mit limitations for regulated parameters.
The treatment provided by this facility
should be examined and upgraded, to ensure
compliance with effluent requirements.
4. Several industrial facilities were identified
as major dischargers of parameters that im-
pact media quality in the Detroit River.
These facilities are presented below, and the
important facility-specific issues discussed,
a) Rouge Steel was a major contributor of total
iron, total copper, total lead, total zinc, and
oil and grease to the Detroit River, chemicals
which were present in the sediments at con-
centrations exceeding dredging guidelines.
Rouge Steel was the major contributor of
total PAHs and a source of total phenols
which were found in sediments, but have no
sediment dredging or quality guidelines.
Rouge Steel's NPDES permit does not
regulate total PAHs nor monitor iron or
Copper. The discharge of these three
parameters should be evaluated to ensure
compliance with Michigan Water Quality
Standards and BAT requirements. Rouge
Steel was in compliance with its permit
limitations for total lead (applicable at 3 of
11 outfalls), total zinc (applicable at 3 out-
falls), total phenols (applicable at one outfall)
and oil and grease (applicable at two outfalls).
Considerable amounts of phenol were
discharged from outfalls not monitored for
phenol, and oil and grease were also
discharged from nonregulated outfalls.
Discharge of total phenols and oil and grease
from all outfalls should be evaluated to en-
sure compliance with Michigan Water Quali-
ty Standards and BAT requirements.
b) Ford Canada was a major contributor of total
lead, total zinc, PCBs and total phenols,
chemicals which impact the Detroit River
system. The stretch of river downstream of
Ford Canada had the highest average sedi-
ment concentration of PCBs. Sources other
than Ford Canada were suggested, but Ford
Canada cannot be ruled out as a source. All
sources of PCBs should be identified and
eliminated. High total phenol, total lead and
total zinc concentrations in sediments were
also found. This facility met the Ontario In-
dustrial Effluent Objective for lead and zinc
of 1 mg/L, but exceeded the Ontario In-
dustrial Effluent Objective of 20 jUg/L for total
phenols by a substantial amount during the
survey (almost two orders of magnitude).
Discharge of total phenols should be reduc-
ed to ensure compliance with the Ontario In-
dustrial Effluent Objective. Discharges of
PCBs should be reduced to the lowest level
technologically achievable.
c) Wickes Manufacturing was a major con-
tributor of chromium to the Detroit River,
and discharged nickel, as well. High bottom
and suspended sediment concentrations of
chromium were found in Little River, to
which Wickes Manufacturing discharges.
Wickes Manufacturing did not meet the On-
tario Industrial Effluent Objective for
chromium during the survey. Nickel im-
pacted Detroit River sediments in the upper
(as well as lower) Detroit River. High water
concentrations of nickel were also found in
the Little River. Wickes Manufacturing did
not achieve the effluent objective for nickel
-------
42
eight times during 1985 and 1986, in addi-
tion to exceeding it during the survey,
Discharges of chromium and nickel should be
reduced to ensure consistent attainment of
the Ontario Industrial Effluent Objective. An
effluent requirement should be developed for
Wickes Manufacturing at the lowest level
technologically feasible.
d) McLouth Steel-Trenton was a major con-
tributor of zinc, iron, HCB and oil and
chemicals which impact the Detroit River
system. Of these, McLouth Steel-Trenton
an effluent limitation for oil and with
which it was in compliance. This facility has
no effluent monitoring requirements for zinc,
iron or HCB, Such effluent monitoring should
be considered for McLouth Steel-Trenton.
e) General Chemical, Amherstburg was a ma-
jor discharger of copper to the Detroit River.
High copper sediment concentrations were
found adjacent to Amherstburg. Since the
time of the point source survey, General
Chemical has split into two distinct com-
panies, Allied Chemical and General
Chemical. The two new companies should be
surveyed to determine the extent of present
day copper discharge, and contingent upon
the results, remedial action taken. General
Chemical also a major source of chlorides
to the Detroit River; however, the lower
Detroit River transect measuring water
quality was upstream of General Chemical
and did not reflect the facility's impact on
water quality. Although no impacts due to
elevated concentrations of chlorides were
noted during this study, the potential for an
Increase in halophilic organisms exists. Ad-
ditional surveys downstream of the General
Chemical complex outfalls should be per-
formed to determine if such a shift in
organiims has occurred.
f) Great Lakes Steel-Ecoroe and Great Lakes
Steel-80" Mill both contributed large
loadings of oil and to the Detroit River,
pollutants found to be impacting
in the Detroit River, Both facilities have ef-
fluent limitations for oil and both
were in compliance with these limits in 1986.
Consideration should be given to instituting
more stringent effluent limitations for oil and
grease at these facilities.
B, Non-point Sources
5. The extent of contaminant input to the
Detroit River resulting from Detroit
combined sewer overflows is largely
unknown, although estimates have
been made. Information available
that contaminant inputs may be substantial.
The study on the Detroit CSOs, which was
initiated in October 1987, should be ex-
pedited and an area-wide remediation plan
should be developed. Upgrading of the
Detroit sewer system by increasing treatment
capacities of the facility and eventually
separating storm and sanitary to
eliminate CSOs should be undertaken.
6. Due to the significance of the Rouge River as
a source of loadings of organic and inorganic
substances to the Detroit River, the Rouge
River Remedial Action Plan should be
developed and implemented as expeditious-
ly as possible. The implementation of the
recommendations for the Clinton and St.
Clair River's EAPS will also remedia-
tion efforts for the Detroit River.
7. Confirmed or possible groundwater con-
tamination within the Detroit River
discharge area were identified for this study.
Extensive recommendations were made for
these sites by the Nonpoint Source
Workgroup. The main focus of the
Workgroup's recommendations are:
a) Zug Island Lakes MDNB should
perform a visit to clarify the facilities*
proper RCRA status, to perform sampling of
monitoring wells, to determine the contami-
nant release to groundwater and to provide
information for rescoring of the for the
National Priorities List (NFL) using the new
Haiard Banking System (HRS).
b) Federal Marine Terminal Properties; USEPA
should monitor closure to closure
impacts and to study groundwater discharge
to surface water,
c) Industrial Landfill (Firestone): This
should be rescored for the NPL using data
generated by the UGLCC Study and other
current studies.
-------
43
d) Michigan Consolidated Gas-Riverside Park:
Remedial action proposed by the company
should be reviewed to assess its adequacy in
controlling groundwater discharge to surface
water.
e) BASF Wyandotte South Works and Chrysler-
Trenton: Prompt assessment of site waste
operations should be performed by MDNR.
Determination of any contaminant releases
to groundwater and/or surface water should
be made
f) BASF Wyandotte North Works, Monsanto
Company, Huron Valley Steel Corp and Jones
Chemical: Prompt performance of a RCRA
Facility Assessment should be undertaken by
the USEPA, utilizing data generated by the
UGLCC Study and other current studies.
g) Edward C. Levy Co, Trenton Plant and Plant
#3: The USEPA should monitor the Consent
Agreement and Final Order signed by the
facility to ensure compliance. Data generated
for the UGLCC Study should be used in the
evaluation of the recently performed
Resource Conservation and Reclamation Act
Facility Assessment.
h) Pennwalt and Petrochemical Processing:
Data generated for the UGLCC Study should
be used in the evaluation of the recently per-
formed RCRA Facility Assessment.
8. The integrity of the abandoned underground
injection wells at Pennwalt and BASF Wyan-
dotte should be evaluated through a USEPA
inspection to determine if injection of spent
waste into caverns under Grosse He has led
to releases.
9. Michigan and Ontario should develop a five
year strategy aimed at reducing spill occur-
rences and improving spill responses within
their jurisdictions. Spill reports from the
Michigan Pollution Emergency Alerting
System (PEAS), the Ontario Spills Action
Centre (SAC) and other agencies should be
enhanced to provide accurate information on
spill volume and composition, recovery and
resolution. Facilities which experience fre-
quent spills should be required to develop
stricter spill management plans. Michigan
and Ontario should prepare a yearly spill
report for public release and for submission
to the IJC, to stimulate interaction and
follow-up, and to ensure appropriate enforce-
ment and preventative measures.
10, Use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers on
agricultural lands and handling of livestock
manure in both Ontario and Michigan need
to be conservatively managed. Federal, state
and provincial environmental and
agricultural agencies need to collaborate to
develop a comprehensive soil and water
management system to reduce impacts on
ecosystem quality for these activities. Educa-
tion on the proper use and application of fer-
tilizers should be provided to farmers, and
measures, such as conservation tillage and
proper livestock waste management, should
be encouraged to ensure minimal loss of
phosphorus, nitrogen and other associated
chemicals from agricultural lands.
11. The extent of required dredging and remedia-
tion of sediments in the Detroit River and its
tributaries should be planned and prioritiz-
ed. To do this, estimations of the volume of
sediments required to be removed should be
made, and an overall plan for handling these
materials should be developed. Financial re-
quirements for such plans should be analyz-
ed, and incorporated into future agency
commitmenta
C. Surveys, Research and Development
12. Tributaries to the Detroit River were found
to provide major loadings of several con-
taminants, particularly metals and total
phosphorus (not all UGLCC Study
parameters were analyzed). A thorough in-
vestigation of the Rouge, Little, Canard and
Ecorse Rivers, Turkey and Monguagon
Creeks, and the Frank and Poet Drain, if not
presently being performed, should be under-
taken. An inventory of all point source
dischargers to the tributaries, and an assess-
ment of all non-point contaminant inputs (ur-
ban and rural runoff, waste sites/con-
taminated groundwater, spills, CSOs) should
be performed. Water, sediment and biota
quality in these tributaries should be deter-
mined for the full stretch of the tributary. For
tributaries where extensive investigation is
presently being undertaken, information pro-
vided by this study should be used to supple-
ment ongoing work.
-------
44
13. A study of the significance of atmospheric
deposition of contaminants as a contaminant
input mechanism should be undertaken, in
conjunction with a survey and evaluation of
point sources of atmospheric emissions to the
Great Lakes basin.
14. Ambient water quality guidelines for total
PAHs need to be developed and adopted,
along with guidelines for specific PAH com-
pounds (e.g., benzo(a)pyrene) known to be of
importance. Further research on the effects
of individual and total PAHs in water on a
variety of aquatic species is needed for
guideline development.
15. The importance of clams as a food source for
wildlife and waterfowl, and the effect of clam
flesh contaminants on such wildlife should
be studied.
16. Consumption advisories for waterfowl and
wildlife should be considered by federal, state
and provincial agencies, for the protection of
human consumers of these animals,
17. Contaminant concentrations in biota, which
are consumed by native populations, should
be determined, and the need for consumption
advisories considered.
18. Studies to determine the cause/effect
linkages of Detroit River contaminants to
waterfowl and fish need to be performed.
19. Fish and wildlife habitats along the Detroit
River should be protected to the greatest
extent possible. The extent of filling or
bulkheading of wetlands should be reduced.
Remedial plans should be developed for those
habitats which are severely impacted, and/or
alternative habitats developed to accom-
modate displaced wildlife.
20. Sediment bioassays should be used to make
site-specific determinations of sediment
quality. Dischargers responsible for con-
taminated sediments should be required to
conduct bioassays of these contaminated
sediments to determine possible impacts. The
need for acute and chronic bioassays on the
effluent should be considered for all point
source discharges to the Detroit River.
21. Development of sediment criteria for organic
contaminants found in Detroit River
sediments, specifically total phenols and total
PAHs, is needed to assess the level of sedi-
ment contamination. The USEPA is inten-
ding to develop such criteria; such develop-
ment should be expedited.
22. A study of the significance and impact of ur-
ban runoff from Michigan municipalities
should be performed. The study should be
performed in a manner similar to that of the
Ontario study, for comparability purposes.
Contingent on the results, remedial and
management action may be necessary.
23. The role played by sinkholes and carbonate
solution channels on Point Hennepin in the
transport of contaminants from these
disposal sites should be investigated.
-------
45
OF
AOC(s) Areas of Concern are geographic locations recognized by the International Joint Commis-
sion where water, sediment or fish quality are degraded, and the objectives of the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement are not being achieved locally.
BAT Best Available IteehnologyfTreatment.
BATEA Best Available Technology/Treatment Economically Achievable.
BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand: The amount of dissolved consumed during the decom-
posites of organic material in water.
COA Canada-Ontario Agreement Great Lakes Water Quality.
CSO ' Combined Sewer Overflow; combined storm and sanitary sewer
GLWQA Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
HCB Hexaehlorobenzene
IJC International Joint Commission: A binational organization established in 1909 through
which Canada and the United cooperatively resolve water and air pollution, lake
levels, power generation and other issues of mutual concern.
MDNR Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
MISA Municipal-Industrial Strategy for Abatement: The principal goal of this program is the
virtual elimination of toxics discharged from point sources to surface waters in Ontario.
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; a permit system limiting municipal
and industrial discharges, administered by USEPA and the states.
OCS Octachlorostyrene
OMNE Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
OMOE Ontario Ministry of the Environment/Environment Ontario.
PAHs Folynuelear Aromatic Hydrocarbons; aromatic hydrocarbons composed of at 2 fused
benzene rings, many of which are potential of suspected carcinogens.
PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyis; a of persistent organic chemicals with a potential to
bioaeeumulate.
POTW Publicly Owned Treatment
RAFs Remedial Action Plans are to be developed with citiien involvement to restore and protect
water quality at of the 42 Areai of Concern in the Great Lakei Bsiin,
RCRA Resource Conservation and Reclamation Act.
SPDES State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; a administered permit limiting
municipal and industrial discharges,
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency.
WPCP Water Pollution Control Plant,
WTP Water Treatment Plant (for drinking water).
WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant.
-------
47
APPENDIX I
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
UNITED STATES
CANADA
Mrs. Carol Finch, Co-Chair*
Great Lakes National Program Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dr. Alfred M. Beeton**
NOAA-Great Lakes Environmental
Research Laboratory
Mr. David Cowgill
North Central Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Mr. Richard Powers***
Surface Water Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Dr. Khalil Z. Atasi****
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
Mr. Larry Sisk
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Region 3,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mr. Bon Shimizu, Co-Chair
Great Lakes Environment Office
Environment Canada
Mr. Tony Wagner
Inland Waters, Ontario Region
Environment Canada
Mr. Fred Fleischer*
Water Resources Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Mr. Douglas A. McTavish
London Regional Office
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Mr. Ken Richards**
Inter-governmental Relations Office
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Mr. Kim Shikaze
Environmental Protection
Ontario Region
Environment Canada
Mr. Dave Egar
National Water Research Institute
Environment Canada
George Ziegenhorn
Great Lakes National Program Office - USEPA
Technical Secretary to
the Management and Activities Integration Committees
International Joint Commission (IJC)
(Observer)
Frank J. Horvath
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
* Replaced Mr. Peter L. Wise
** Replaced Dr. Eugene J. Aubert/
Dr. Brian J. Eadie
*** Replaced Mr. William D. Marks
**** Replaced Mr. Darrell G. Suhre/
James W. Ridgeway
* Replaced Mr. Carl F. Schenk
** Replaced Mr. John Moore
-------
48
ACTIVITIES INTEGRATION COMMITTEE
UNITED STATES
Mr. Vacys J. Saulys, Co-Chair
Great Lakes National Program Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Tom Edsall
Chairperson-Biota Workgroup
Great Lakes Fishery Laboratory
Dr. Thomas Fontaine
Chairperson-Mode ling Workgroup
NOAA-Great Lakes Environmental
Research Laboratory
Mr. Paul Horvatin
Chairperson-Point Sources Workgroup
Great Lakes National Program Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Richard Lundgren
Michigan Representative
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
CANADA
Mr. Daryl Cowell, Co-chair*
Great Lakes Environment Office
Environment Canada
Dr. Alfred S.Y. Chau
Chairperson-Data Quality
Management Workgroup
National Water Research Institute
Environment Canada
Mr. Ifousry Hamdy
Chairperson-Sediment Workgroup
Water Resources Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Mr. Wayne Wager**
Detroit/St. Clair/St. Marys Rivers Project
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Mr. Griff Sherbin
Chairperson-Nonpoint Source Workgroup
Environmental Protection (Ontario Region)
Environment Canada
Mr. Donald J. Williams
Chairperson-Water Quality Workgroup
Inland Waters (Ontario Region)
Environment Canada
Scientific and Technical Co-ordinators
Mr. William Richardson
Large Lakes Research Station
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dr. G. Keith Rodgers
National Water Research Institute
Environment Canada
* Replaced Mr. Gregory Woodsworth
** Replaced Mr. John Moore
-------
49
APPENDIX II
LEVEL n WORKGROUP REPORTS
1, Water Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. St. Glair and Detroit Rivers, Prepared by Water Workgroup.
D.J. Williams, Chair. Unpublished report, 89 pp.
2. Biota Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. Detroit River Biota and Their Habitats: A Geographic Area
Report. Prepared by Edsall, T.A., P.B. Kauss, D. Kenaga, J. Leach, M. Munawar, T. Nalepa and
S Thornley. Unpublished report, 90 pp.
3. Biota Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988, St. Glair River Biota and Their Habitats: A Geographic Area
Report. Prepared by Edsall, T.A., P.B. Kauss, D. Kenaga, J. Leach, M. Munawar, T. Nalepa and
S. Thornley. Unpublished report, 90 pp.
4. Biota Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. Lake St. Clair Biota and Their Habitats: A Geographic Area
Report. Prepared by Edsall, T.A., P.B. Kauss, D. Kenaga, J, Leach, M. Munawar, T, Nalepa, G. Sprules
and S. Thornley. Unpublished report, 80 pp.
5. Biota Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. St. Marys River Biota and Their Habitats: A Geographic Area
Report. Prepared by Edsall, T.A., P.B. Kauss, D. Kenaga, T.Kubiak, J. Leach, M. Munawar, T. Nalepa
and S. Thornley, Unpublished report, 80 pp.
6. Modeling Workgroup, UGLCCS, 1988. Modeling Workgroup Geographic Area Synthesis Report.
Prepared by Modeling Workgroup, T,D. Fontaine, Chair, Unpublished report, 193 pp.
7. Point Source Workgroup. UGLCCS. 1988. Geographic Area Report: Detroit River. Prepared by Point
Source Workgroup, P. Horvatin, Chair, Unpublished report, 160 pp.
8. Point Source Workgroup. UGLCC, 1983, Geographic Area Report: St. Marys River. Prepared by
Point Source Workgroup, P. Horvatin, Chair, Unpublished report, 65 pp.
9. Point Source Workgroup. UGLCCS. 1988. Geographic Area Report: St. Clair River. Prepared by
Point Source Workgroup, P. Horvatin, Chair. Unpublished report, 125 pp.
10. Point Source Work Group, UGLCC, 1988. Georgraphie Area Report: Lake St. Clair. Prepared by
Point Source Workgroup, P, Horvatin, Chair, Unpublished report, 95 pp.
11. Quality Management Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987, revised. Report of the Quality Management Work
Group. Prepared by the Quality Management Workgroup, A.S.Y. Chau, Chair. Unpublished report,
182 pp.
12. Sediments Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987. Sediments of the Detroit River. Prepared by A.G. Kizlauskas
and P.E. Pranckevicius. Unpublished report, 224 pp.
13, Sediments Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987, Current and Historical Contamination of Sediment in the
St. Marys River. Prepared by R.J. Hesselberg and Y. Hamdy. Unpublished report, 42 pp.
14. Sediments Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987. St. Clair River Sediments. Prepared by B.G. Oliver. Un-
published report, 54 pp.
15. Sediments Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988, Lake St. Clair Bottom Sediments, Prepared by Sediments
Workgroup, Y. Hamdy, Chair. Unpublished report, 80 pp.
16 Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987. Contaminants in Urban Runoff in the Great Lakes
Connecting Channels Area. Prepared by J. Marsalek and H.Y.F. Ng, Unpublished report, 71 pp.
-------
50
17. Nonpomt Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987, Agricultural Sources of Pollution: Detroit River.
Prepared by Wall, G.J., E.A. Pringle and T. Dickinson. Unpublished report, 11 pp.
18. Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1987. Agricultural Sources of Pollution: Lake St. Clair.
Prepared by Wall, G.J., E.A. Pringle and T, Dickinson. Unpublished report, 224 pp.
19. Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCC& 1987. Agricultural of Pollution: St. Clair Eiver.
Prepared by Wall, G.J., E.A. Pringle and T, Dickinson. Unpublished report, 12 pp.
10, Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. Waste Disposal and Potential Ground Water
Contamination: St. Clair River. Prepared by Nonpoint Source Workgroup, G, Sherbin, Chair. Un-
published report, 77 pp.
21. Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. Waste Disposal Potential Ground Water
Contamination: St. Marys Biver. Prepared by Nonpoint Source Workgroup, G. Sherbin, Chair. Un-
published report, 39 pp.
22. Nonpoint Source Workgroup, UGLCCS. 1988. and Potential Ground Water
Contamination; Detroit Elver. Prepared by Nonpomt Source Workgroup, G. Sherbin, Chair. Un-
published report, 75 pp.
23. Nonpoint Source Workgroup. UGLCCS. Disposal and Potential Ground Water
Contamination: Lake St. Clair. Prepared by Nonpoint Source Workgroup, G. Sherbin, Chair. Un~
published report, 46 pp.
24. Quality Management Workgroup. UGLCCS. 1988. Interlaboratory performance evaluation study
report Part II: Trace Prepared by WC. Li, A.S.Y. Chau and E. Kokotich, NWRI,
Environment Canada, Burlington, Ont: 11 pp + Tkbles and Figures.
25. Quality Management Workgroup. UGLCCS. 1988. Interlaboratory performance evaluation study
integrated report Part I: Organic Parameters. Prepared by W.C. Li, A.S.Y. Chau and E. Kokotich,
NWRI, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ont: 19 pp + Tables and Figures.
------- |