REPORT OF THE
LAKE ERIE ENFORCEMENT
CONFERENCE TECHNICAL
COMMITTEE
MARCH 1967
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LETTER OF TRANSMIT! AL
March 22, 196?
Dear Sir:
The Lake Erie Enforcement Conference Technical Committee
is pleased to present this final report to the Lake Erie
Enforcement Conferees.
The Committee was directed to explain the problems related
to nutrients and over-enrichment of Lake Erie.
By holding eight meetings covering 16 days, in which the
Committee received information and advice from 26 leading
authorities in water-oriented disciplines, a thorough re-
view and analysis of the problems was permitted. This
report represents the findings of the Committee,
George L. Harlow
Chairman
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Page Intentionally Blank
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REPORT OF THE
LAKE ERIE ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
March, 196?
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Discussion of Findings
Instruction 1(A)
Instruction l(B)
Instruction II
Instruction III
Instruction IV
Instruction V
Instruction VI
Instruction VII
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendixes
A - Reduction in Phosphorus Load
Necessary to Meet Proposed
Criteria
B - Phosphate Reporting
C - Analytical Method for the
Measurement of Total Phosphate
Tables
1. Phosphorus Concentrations in Lake Erie
2. Phosphorus Concentrations in Harbor
Areas
3* Discharge of Phosphates to Lake by Areas
U. Total PO, Inputs to Lake Erie by Sources
Figures
1. Locality Map of Lake Erie Basin
2. Sectors for Water Quality Identifi-
cation of Lake Erie
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Preceding page
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I GRAND R VER BASIN >
/ / KETTLE
' I CREEK S
I BASIN,'
/ PORT
.' BRUCE
I RIVER
\ BASIN '
LOCALITY MAP
OF
LAKE ERIE BASIN
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INTRODUCTION
At the request of the Honorable James A. Rhodes, Governor of
the State of Ohio, Secretary Anthony Celebreeze of the United States
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, under authority granted
in Section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 196l,
called a conference on pollution of Lake Erie and its tributaries.
The conference was held in two sessions, in Cleveland on August 3-5,
1965 and in Buffalo on August 10-12, 1965. The conferees were as
follows:
Dr. B. A. Poole, Indiana
Mr. Lorinp Oeming, Michigan
Dr. t. W. Arnold, Ohio
Mr. George Eagle, Ohio
Mr. Fred Mohr, Ohio
Mr. Richard Boardman, Pennsylvania
Mr. Robert Hennigan, Hew York
Mr. 11. W. Poston, Federal Government
The conference chairman was Mr. Murray Stein, Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA), Washington, D. C.
After hearing a Federal report on pollution in tne conference
area, reports on pollution control activities in each of the five
States, and statements by others, the conferees agreed unanimously
on a summary containing conclusions and recommendations that was
later issued by the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare on November 12, 1965.
One of the summary recommendations stated:
"The conferees will establish a Technical Committee
as soon as possible which will evaluate water quality
problems in Lake Erie relating to nutrients and make
recommendations to the conferees within six months
after the issuance of this Summary."
At a conferees' meeting in Cleveland on September 1, 1965, members
of the technical committee were selected. On December IT, 1965, the
conferees met with the designated committee members and the Lake Erie
Enforcement Conference Technical Committee was formally established.
The following members and their alternates were appointed:
State Member Alternates
Michigan Carlos Fetterolf, Jr. —
Indiana Perry Miller John Winters
Ohio J. E. Richards George Garrett
Pennsylvania Walter Lyon Daniel Bardarik
Paul Heitzenrater
Hew York Robert Hennipan Donald Stevens
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Mr. Grover Cook, FWPCA, was appointed Chairman of the corar.it tee,
and served until January, 196?. From January, 196? until the present
Mr. George Harlow, FWPCA, has been Chairman .of the committee. Mr. Frank
Hall, FWPCA, is Secretary to the committee.
At the September 1, 1965 meeting, the conferees asked the committee
to investigate the following aspects of Lake Erie problems:
"(l) Determine the situation, past and present, in Lake Erie with
regard to nutrient levels and the related consequences.
Also determine how the existing situation would be modified
by various pollution control methods.
(2) Determine the nutrient levels or concentrations which
constitute interstate pollution of Lake Erie.
(3) Determine the nutrient levels or concentrations which
should be established as water quality objectives in
various parts of Lake Erie.
(k) Determine the sources of nutrients entering Lake Erie and
the percentages originating from: detergents; other muni-
cipal wastes; industrial wastes; and agricultural land use.
(5) Determine the nutrient balance of Lake Erie.
(6) Identify the various nutrients affecting Lake Erie water
quality and determine which are susceptible to. control."
On June 22, 1966, a third meeting of the Lake Erie Enforcement
Conferees was held in Cleveland, Ohio at which Chairman Stein added a
seventh instruction to those listed above:
(T) Identify other lake problems .and explore ways of dealing
with them.
At that third meeting, the conferees, presided over by Secretary
of the Interior Stewart Udall, were presented with a report by the (
Technical Committee which had been. formed. ' The conferees did not
consider the report to be a consensus of all Technical Committee mem-
bers. The Technical Committee was directed to continue its deliberations
and revise the Interim Report to reflect a consensus. It was decided by
Secretary Udall and the conferees that it should be called an Interim
Report .
The Technical Committee reviewed and revised the June -22,
Interim Report to reflect a consensus of all committee members and
submitted it to the conferees. The report was retitled "interim Report
of the Lake Erie Enforcement Conference Technical Committee, June, 1966"
(Revised, November, 1966)."
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This March, 1967 report expands upon the revised Interim Report
to include discussion, conclusions and recommendations regarding each
of the seven instructions. It reflects the consensus of all the com-
mittee members.
The Lake Erie Enforcement Conference Technical Committee wishes
to acknowledge the advice and invaluable information provided to the
committee by many individuals. The following persons have graciously
given of their time to attend and contribute to meetings of the com-
mittee or to otherwise provide information:
Dr. Alfred M. Beeton, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wise.
Mr. Kenneth Biglane, FWPCA, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Hussell Brant, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus,
Ohio
Mr. Ted Brenner, Soap and Detergent Association, flew York, H. Y.
Dr. II. Wilson Britt, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Mr. Charles Bueltman, Soap and Detergent Association, New York,
H. Y.
Dr. Richard Engelbrecht, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
Mr. Frederick Fuller, FWPCA, Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Harold Hall, FWPCA, Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Robert Hartley, FWPCA, Cleveland, Ohio
Mr. C. E. Herdendorf, Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
San dusky, Ohio
Dr. Matthew Hohn, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant,
Michigan
Mr. G. LaMar Hubbs, FWPCA, Cleveland, Ohio
Mr. Conrad Kleveno, FWPCA, Cleveland, Ohio
Dr. Edward Martin, FWPCA, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Stephen Megregian, FWPCA, Chicago, Illinois
Mr. John Neil, Ontario Water Resources Commission, Toronto,
Canada
Mr. C. Hay Ownbey, FWPCA, Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Charles Priesing, FWPCA, Ada, Oklahoma
Dr. Gerard Rohlich, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Stanford Smith, U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Dr. Jacob Verduin, Eastern Illinois -University, Charleston,
Illinois
Mr. David Wagner, FWPCA, Chicago, Illinois
Mr. John Wirts, Cleveland Easterly Pollution Control Center,
Cleveland, Ohio
The committee is especially grateful to Mr. John Carr of the
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, U. S. Department of the Interior, and
Mr. Al Harris of the Ontario Water Resources Commission, who partici-
pated in the work of the committee and assisted in the preparation of
this report.
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It
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Instruction l(A) "Determine the situation, past and present, in Lake
Erie with regard to nutrient levels and the re-
lated consequences."
Recent environmental changes in Lake Erie were reported by
specialists in many water-oriented disciplines.
Chemical Conditions. Records from many sources over the past
50 years show an increase in chlorides from 8 milligrams per liter
(mg/1) to 26 mg/1, and an increase in su'lfates from 13 mg/1 to 23 mg/1.
Good long-term records for phosphorus are not available, but recent
information indicates that there has been a substantial increase in
phosphorus inputs and an increase in concentration in the lake. Most
earlylimnologists considered that nitrogen was the limiting nutrient
for algal growth. Therefore, tests for phosphorus were not common,
and when phosphorus analyses were made, a variety of techniques and
reporting procedures were used. (Appendixes B and C contain a sug-
gested procedure for reporting and testing.)
During summer thermal stratification, dissolved oxygen (DO) is
substantially reduced in the bottom waters of a large area in the
central basin. This was first reported in 1929 and has been observed
many times since. However, the DO now reaches zero and the area where
low DO occurs is widening. This DO deficit results largely from the
decomposition of algae and may be explained as follows:
a. Algae are produced in excessive amounts in the western
basin and along the shoreline of the central and eastern
basins as a manifestation of plant nutrient concentrations.
b. The algae cells drift around the lake and eventually settle
to the bottom. During this settling process, oxygen is
consumed by decay of dead cells.
c. Decaying cells accumulate in the bottom muds and exert
oxygen demand as decomposition continues.
d. During summer periods of thermal stratification, when the
bottom layer o"f water is isolated from the oxygen-rich
upper layer, the available oxygen in the lower layer may
be used up by the decay process.
e. The rate of consumption is greatly intensified when the
organically enriched sediments are stirred into suspension.
The theoretical relationship between phosphorus inputs, organic
carbon produced by biological processes, and DO depletion was presented
to the committee.
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Physical Conditions. Records of lake levels have been kept for
over a hundred years and fluctuations of several feet are well known.
When the lake is high, shore erosion occurs. This has contributed
to nutrient increases in the lake. When lake levels are low, as in
the early sixties, a larger shoal area is affected by sunlight and a
larger crop of Cladophora (attached algae) has been observed.
Harbor and channel modifications have changed current pattern in
localized areas and have increased silt inputs. The dumping of dredged
material from these operations has changed the composition of the lake
bottom and has increased inputs of nutrients.
Lake currents are mostly the product of winds. At four feet above
the lake bottom, current velocities as high as 2.0 feet per second
have been recorded. A strong wind will induce thorough mixing more
than 30 feet deep. Strong winds also produce an oscillation of the
thermocline that results in mixing of the bottom waters, but without
intermixing of the upper and lower water layers. This lack of inter-
mixing is significant in that the oxygen-rich water of the upper layer
(epilimnion) does not replenish the depleted oxygen supply in the lower
layer (hypolimnion), and oxygen demanding material and nutrients do not
leave the bottom waters during periods of thermal stratification.
Another physical characteristic that bears upon the overall
problem is water temperature. Records show, using 10-year moving means,
that there has been a rise of 2° F since 1918. The wanning trend of
the lake follows that of the climate.
Algae. Both the microscopic suspended algae called phytoplankton,
or planktonic algae, and the filamentous algae that grow attached to
firm substrata are responsible for nuisance conditions in Lake Erie.
Of the two types, filamentous Cladophora has been troublesome for a
longer time. The beaches on Kelleys Island have been littered with
Cladophora for at least 30 years.
Chemical methods of Cladophora control have not been too successful,
To be effective, the chemicals should be applied during periods of calm
in the early part of the growing season. By present standards, chemical
control is expensive, especially when used for large areas. It is
estimated that for effective control, at least 350 square miles of
Lake Erie would have to be treated.
Lake-wide information on phytoplankton is rather sparse. However,
there are good data on samples taken in Cleveland since 1929 and in
the South Bass Island area over the past few years. According to Davis
(1966) these records indicate three main changes: 1. A gradual in-
crease in the total quantity of phytoplankton has occurred. The
average increase between 192? and 196^ amounted to M.3 cells/ml/yr and
from 1956 to 196U the increase was 122.0 cells/ml/yr; 2. There has
been a change from typical, relatively brief vernal and autumnal
phytoplankton pulses every year to pulses that are not only much more
massive, but also more extensive. This has resulted in complete
obliteration of the winter minimum and a considerable reduction of the
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length of the summer minimum; 3. There have been important changes
of dominant algal genera. In 1929, the diatoms Fragilaria. Asterionella,
and others that are common in Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan were
predominant. Today, diatoms such as Stephanodiscus and Cyclotella,
typical of enriched lakes, are the more abundant kinds. Dense blooms
of highly undesirable blue-green algae have been observed in the area
of the lake west of Cleveland. These blooms typically occur in eutrophic
lakes and are rare in lakes like Superior and Huron.
Bottom Dwelling Animals. Prior to 1953, burrowing mayflies were
the dominant bottom-dwelling animals in the western basin. In
September 1953, this basin became thermally stratified, dissolved
oxygen was depleted in the lower layer of water, and a catastrophic
die-off of mayflies took place. The overall occurrence of these
important fish food organisms has steadily declined. They have been
almost completely replaced by sludgeworms and midge larvae. Major
factors in the decline of the mayflies have been low DO and change in
composition and distribution of the bottom sediments.
Fishes. Dramatic changes have occurred in the Lake Erie fishery
since 1920. Although Lake Erie remains the most productive of all the
Great Lakes, the catch is of poorer quality than it used to be. Yellow
perch are still abundant. Blue pike have disappeared and walleyes,
yhitefish, and herring are scarce. Low DO that occurs in the hypo-
limnion of the central basin creates an unfavorable habitat for both
fish and the organisms upon which they feed.
Conditions must be made suitable for the more desirable fish and
aquatic organisms during all stages of their life cycle. Certain adult
.fish spawn on reefs and gravel areas. However, heavy wave action often
washes the eggs into the degraded bottom muds prior to hatching. The
oxygen deficient sediments and overlying waters in many parts of the
lake are entirely unsuitable for the successful completion of their life
cycles. The percentage of eggs that hatch is greatly reduced and those
young fish which at times develop from the egrs die rapidly and the propa-
gation of the more desirable species ceases. These are subsequently
replaced in time by species which are more tolerant to degraded environ-
mental conditions. Total fish productivity is not necessarily impaired,
but the percentage of desirable species is greatly reduced in favor of
the less desirable species. The ultimate result would be a hip.hly pro-
ductive lake full of coarse fish.
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Instruction l(B) "Also determine how the existing situation would
be modified by various pollution control methods."
The existing situation will be modified by the elimination or
reduction of organic material, nutrients, and silts from municipal,
industrial, and agricultural sources. Secondary or equivalent treat-
ment must be provided for all wastes. Treatment processes and
techniques must be developed for the substantial removal of phosphorus
from sewage and industrial wastes. At several locations in the
southwestern United States, modifications of activated sludge type of
treatment have increased the removal of phosphorus. Additional
demonstration projects are needed to prove the applicability of these
modifications to activated sludge plants in the Lake Erie Basin.
l^evelopment of new processes should be encouraged for use in augmenting
and improving those modifications already under study for activated sludge-
type plants. Additional modifications must be developed and employed
to effect high phosphorus removals in other type plants.
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Instruction II. "Determine the nutrient levels or concentrations
which constitute interstate pollution of Lake Erie."
Instruction III. "Determine the nutrient levels or concentrations
which should be established as water quality
objectives in various parts of Lake trie."
It was the opinion of the committee members that Instructions II
and III should be considered jointly and the following statements are
made accordingly.
A determination was made of existing concentrations of total
phosphorus and soluble phosphorus in Lake Erie. The following tables
present data for seven areas of the lake and for the ma,jor harbors
(see Figure 2 and Tables 1 and 2),
It was the finding of the conferees, and the members of the com-
mittee agree, that Lake Erie is over-enriched. The highest nutrient
concentrations and .excessive crops of algae are found in the western
basin and in the shoreline area. It is the committee's opinion that
pollution from nutrients is occurring at these present concentrations.
Total phosphorus ranged from 0.015 mg/1 in mid-lake waters of the
central and eastern basins to 0.090 mg/1 in the western basin and along
the Ohio shoreline. Soluble phosphorus ranged from 0.008 mg/1 to
0.050 mg/1 in the same areas of the lake. Inorganic nitrogen varied
from average values of 0.25 mg/1 to 0.75 mg/1. For comparison, in
southern Lake Huron where eutrophication is not a problem, 50 analyses
for total PO^-P were reported less than 0.008 mg/1 and Ik additional
samples averaged 0.03 mg/1; 5^ analyses for soluble POi(-P were reported
less than 0,008 mg/1 and 10 additional samples averaged 0.03 mg/1. In-
organic nitrogen in southern Lake Huron averaged 0.25 mg/1. The con-
centrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the central and eastern
basins of Lake Erie are not much greater than the concentrations in
Lake Huron.
The only information available on levels of phosphorus and
nitrogen that has provided a guide for the development of suitable
criteria necessary to restore Lake Erie water quality was that of
Sawyer (195*0 in his classical Madison, Wisconsin lake studies. He
found that when the concentration "of inorganic nitrogen and [soluble]
phosphorus exceed 0.30 ppm and 0.01 ppm respectively, at the start of
the active growing season (time of spring turnover in northern climates),
a season with nuisance blooms [of algae] would follow."
Other experts that met with the committee could not provide in-
formation to support or dispute these figures and therefore did not
disagree with Sawyer's values. Sawyer's values compare very closely
with water quality in southern Lake Huron and mid Lake Erie where
prolific growths do not occur. Based on this information and the
available chemical and biological data, the committee determined that
the following concentrations of nutrients should be established as
water quality objectives in various parts of Lake Erie:
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CANADA
MICHIGAN
NEW YORK
PENNSYLVANIA
SECTORS
FOR WATER QUALITY
IDENTIFICATION
LAKE ERIE
OHIO
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Location Total PO^-P Sol PO^-P Inorganic N
(See Fig. 2) mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
Areas 1, 2, 3 & ** 0.025 0.010 0.3
Areas 5, 6 & 7 0.015 0.007 0.3
The committee further determined that concentrations of nutrients
greater than the values in the above table constitute pollution of Lake
Erie.
The necessary reduction of phosphorus loads required to meet the
proposed criteria is shown in Appendix A.
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10
TABLE 1
PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS IN LAKE ERIE
Total POk-P. mg/1 Sol, POi.-P. mg/1
Area ^Samples Max. Min.
1 128 0.6? 0.013
2
3
U
5
6
T
TABLE 2
PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS IN HARBOR AREAS
Tot. POk-P. mg/1 Sol. POh-P. mg/1
ivg.
09
*
*
*
*
*
*
yS ample s
320
13
57
87^
1*18
30
17k
Max.
0.57
0.08
0.07
0.65
0.20
0.6l
0.03
Min.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Avg.
0.05
0.03
0.02
o.oU
0.01
0.01
0.01
Area #S ample s Max. Min. Avg,
Detroit R.,
Mouth
Maumee Bay
Sandusky,0.
Lorain, 0.
Cleveland, 0.
Fairport, 0.
Ashtabula, 0.
Erie, Pa.
38 0.67 0.013 0.13
13 0.30 0.013 0.11
56 *
5U
98
99 *
66 *
119 *
Max.
0.37
0.3
0.80
0.15
0.68
0.31
0.66
O.U6
Min.
0.013
0.07
0
0
0
0
0
0
Avg.
0.08
0.05
0.08
0.02
0.06
0.02
0.05
0.09
* No data, but using the ratio of total to soluble phosphates found for
the Detroit River mouth and Maumee Bay, it is assumed for other areas
of the lake that the total phosphates would be approximately double
the soluble values.
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11
Instruction IV. "Determine the sources of nutrients entering Lake
Erie, and the percentages originating from:
detergents, other municipal wastes, industrial
wastes, and agricultural land use."
Phosphates in detergents. The average discharge of total phosphorus
(P) in domestic wastes on a per capita per year basis is 3.5 pounds
(Sawyer, 1965). One pound is from human excreta and 2.5 pounds are
from detergents. In the Lake Erie basin, the phosphorus contribution
from municipal wastes is fiO percent, which can be broken down by
sources as human excreta, 22 percent; detergents, 53 percent; and other
sources, 5 percent.
Representatives of the soap and detergent industry informed the
Technical Committee that an acceptable substitute for phosphate was
not presently available. The importance of polyphosphates lies -in
synergistic effects obtained when used with surfactants. Significant
loss of cleaning power results when substitutes are used.
Some of the .important functions of phosphates in detergents are
to provide alkalinity, increase dirt and grease removing capacity,
reduce redeposition of dirt, soften the water, limit scum formation,
and prevent fiber staining. Phosphate content varies from a high of
57 percent in heavy-duty laundry powders to less than 10 percent in
light-duty liquids. Phosphates are also present in almost all soaps.
The soap and detergent representatives acknowledged that phosphates
affect the nutrient balance of waters, but believed the exact role in
algal growth and eutrophication had not been clearly defined. They
pointed out that in 1958, 70 percent of the elemental phosphorus sold
went into fertilizers and 13 percent as built detergents.
Phosphorus from municipal discharges. Direct discharges of
phosphorus to Lake Erie from municipal sewage treatment plants constitute
about 80 percent of the total input from all sources. No measured
values are available for urban runoff in the Lake Erie basin, but a study
by Weibel, Anderson, and Woodward (196U) revealed that an urban acre
yields 2.5 pounds of soluble phosphate (PO^) per year. This would
comprise a relatively small percentage of the total inputs.
Phosphorus from rural runoff. It has been demonstrated that
municipal and industrial phosphorus inputs constitute about 85 percent
of the total. The remaining 15 percent is attributable to rural run-
off. This was verified by applying values established by Englebrecht
and Morgan (I96l) for an area in Illinois to the Lake Erie drainage
basin.
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12
Instruction V. "Determine the nutrient balance of Lake Erie."
Phosphate balance. The concentration of total POi;-P leaving
Lake Huron was shown on Page 8. This results in a discharge of
total POij-P from Lake Huron of less than 20,000 Ibs. per day. That
amount of total phosphate leaving the Detroit River to enter Lake
Erie is approximately 86,000 Ibs/day, resulting in a pickup in the
Detroit-Windsor metropolitan area of 66,000 Ibs/day,
The discharges of phosphate by areas is summarized in Table 3,
TABLE 3
DISCHARGE OF PHOSPHATES TO LAKE BY AREAS
Total Phosphate-P
Area Lbs/day
Michigan-Ontario
Discharge from Lake Huron <20 ,000
Detroit-Windsor metropolitan area 66,000
Michigan tributaries to Lake Erie 2,000
Ohio
1 Municipal & industrial (shoreline) 28,000
Ohio tributaries 20,000
Pennsylvania & New York 6,000
Ontario, other sources 10,000
Sum of major known sources 152,000
Discharged at Niagara River 50,000
Excluding the discharge from Lake Huron, of the 132.,000 Ibs/day of
total phosphates expressed as P discharged to Lake Erie, approximately
112,000 Ibs. come from municipal and industrial wastes, and 20,000 Ibs.
from rural land runoff. Of the municipal contribution, 70,000 Ibs/day
come from detergents, 30,000 from human excreta, 6,000 from urban land
runoff, and 6,000 from industrial wastes. These totals are summarized
in Table U.
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13
TABLE U
TOTAL POi, INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE BY SOURCES
Source Lbs/day
Lake Huron <20,000
Rural land runoff 20,000
Municipal
Detergents 70,000
Human excreta 30,000
Urban land runoff ' 6,000
Industrial (direct discharge) 6,000
TOTAL 152,000
Since only 50,000 Ibs/day are discharged via the Niagara River?
Lake Erie retains 102,000 Ibs/day. Part of this amount is utilized
by algae, small animals, and fish, part becomes locked in the sediments,
and part is recycled and reused by the biomass.
Since the contribution of total PO^-P from domestic wastes is
about 3.5 Iba/cap/yr and 11 million persons live in the Lake Erie
basin below Lake Huron, the annual contribution from municipal sources
is 38,500,000 pounds.
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Instruction VI. "Identify the various nutrients affecting Lake Erie
water quality and determine which are susceptible
to control."
Specialists who met with the committee mentioned nutrient sub-
stances such as nitrogen, potassium, vitamins, and carbon, but under
present knowledge, phosphorus is the most important element and the
one most susceptible to control. Nitrogen occurs in nature and can
be fixed by certain bacteria. Potassium is sufficiently abundant in
natural waters, and the role of vitamins and other growth substances
is not well defined.
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15
Instruction VII. "Identify other Lake Erie problems and explore ways
of dealing with them."
Many other nutrient elements are recognized as requirements for
algal production and growth, including many trace elements. Informa-
tion is lacking as to the role of the trace elements and the possi-
bilities for removal.
The committee recognized a need, in the phosphorus problem, of
determining more exact figures on the contribution from various
sources such as runoff from soil, animal wastes, and algae decomposi-
tion. It was brought to the attention of the committee that bottom
sediment storage may contribute to the phosphorus supply of the lake
water. However, available data indicate that the hypolimnetic buildup
of phosphorus is reprecipitated at fall turnover of the lake water.
The committee has become aware of many of the problems which will
be involved in removing a very high'percentage of the phosphorus con-
tribution to Lake Erie. It is recognized that percentage of phosphate
removal must be increased with population growth and economic expansion
and that ultimate disposal of nutrients will become increasingly more
important in order to prevent their return to the lake.
Other problems of pollution are also recognized by the committee,
such as increasing dissolved inorganic substances throughout the lake;
bacterial, color, suspended solids, and floating solids problems along
the shore; and special local problems caused by large industrial and
municipal waste discharges, where, because of volume, treatment must
be highly refined.
The following are present or potential problems in Lake Erie:
Toxic effect of algae
Botulism in waterfowl
Dumping of dredgings
Exploration for oil and gas
Taste and odor problems in drinking water
Short filter runs
Pollution by vessels
Uniformity of regulations on marine toilets
Uniformity of fish laws
Effects of lake levels on Cladophora
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16
CONCLUSIONS
1. The major pollution problem in Lake Erie results directly or
indirectly from excess algae. These growths are stimulated by
nutrients resulting from man's activities.
2. Silts containing nutrients are being contributed to the lake
from dredging operations, urban and agricultural runoff, arid shore
erosion.
3. Wind-induced currents transport nutrients and silt over wide
areas of the lake.
k. Reliable long-term records for phosphorus and nitrogen are not
available for Lake Erie waters.
5. The one nutrient most susceptible to control is phosphorus.
6. Phosphorus entering the lake originates from municipal wastes,
rural land runoff, and industrial wastes. About 80 percent is at-
tributable to municipal wastes.
7. About 66 percent of the phosphorus in municipal wastes is from
detergents.
8. Earlier data on phosphorus are difficult to interpret due to
lack of information on the analytical procedure used and the method
of expressing the results.
9. Water quality problems occur when the concentrations of soluble
phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen exceed 0.01 mg/1 and 0.30 mg/1 re-
spectively.
10. Water quality objectives should be established that will prevent
nuisance algae conditions.
11. Even if water quality objectives are met, a reduction in fre-
quency and intensity of algal nuisance conditions will be (gradual.
12. Water quality objectives for Lake Erie should be established
so that present high quality water will be preserved and the waters
will be improved in the areas where nuisance conditions now exist.
13. A rise in air and water temperatures has contributed to changes
in the aquatic environment.
lk. Efforts to limit the growth of the filamentous aljra Cladophora
by the application of chemicals in the lake have been successful only
on a small scale. Experience has demonstrated it is not feasible to
apply these techniques to large areas. Chemical control of plankton
algae is also impractical.
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17
15. The quality of the Lake Erie fishery has declined. The major
factor in the decline of the more desirable species has been the de-
struction of suitable environment within which they could successfully
complete their life cycle and be maintained in abundance*
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18
RECOMMENDATIONS
Water Quality Criteria
1. The following level of phosphate and inorganic nitrogen expressed
as P and II should be established as the water quality objective for Lake
Erie:
Location Total POj -P Hoi PC),-? Inorganic N
(See Fig. 2) mg/1 ng/1 ng/1
Areas 1, 2, 3 & ^ 0.025 0.010 0.3
Areas 5, 6 & 7 0.015 0.007 0.3
2. The following points of measurement should be established to as-
sess P and N water quality at locations in Recommendation 1:
Location Points of Measurement
Areas 1, 2, 3 & ^ Range Pte. Mouillee to Detroit River Light
(See Fig. 2) (2,000, 8,000 and 13,000 feet offshore),
average of these three stations
Toledo Rarbor lighthouse
Raisin River channel buoy lio. B]
South Bass Island and Pelee Passage lights
Water intakes of:
Toledo, Ohio
Port Clinton, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Vermilion, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. at Kastlake,
Ohio
Industrial Rayon Corp. at Fairport, Ohio
Intake East 2 miles of mouth of Ashtabula, Ohio
Conneaut, Ohio
Areas 5, 6 & 7 Water intake cribs of:
(See Fig. 2) Cleveland, Ohio
Buffalo, New York
Erie, Pennsylvania
Any point in central or eastern basin 2 miles
from shore or beyond
3. These levels proposed for nutrient criteria should not be exceeded
in more than 20% of the samples taken in any one year. To assess the
nutrient water quality, samples should be taken at least once per nonth.
Sample collection should be 3 feet below surface for mid-lake stations
and inside the water plant from the raw water tap for the water intake
stations.
Nutrient Control
U. A suitable substitute should be found to replace phosphates in
detergents. The soap and detergent industry and the Federal Government
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19
should promote and encourage the research and development of a suitable
substitute.
5. Demonstration projects to remove phosphorus by modification of
the activated sludge process should be established in the Lake Erie basin.
6. New processes must be developed and employed to effect high
phosphorus removal in other plant types.
7. Phosphates removed by treatment must not be returned to a water
course.
8. The Department of Agriculture, State agricultural agencies, and
local conservancy districts should initiate programs to control runoff
from agricultural lands.
9. The USGS, the Corps of Engineers, and various State agencies should
strengthen their programs to reduce further soil erosion in the Lake Erie
basin.
10. The practice of dumping in Lake Erie pollutional materials dredged
from rivers and harbors should be stopped.
<
Terminology, Analytical Methods, and Data Reporting
11. Concentrations of phosphates, both soluble and total, in surface .
waters should be expressed as elemental phosphorus (P).
12. Samples should be analyzed for total phosphorus and soluble phos-
phorus using the stannous chloride method, including persulfate and ex-
traction. (This method is attached in Appendix C.) Where a particular
laboratory departs from the method outlined in the appendix it should be
clearly indicated and documented that in all concentrations encountered
in surface water and with interferring substances usually encountered that
the method yield results within the limits of reproducibility of the recom-
mended method.
13. Sewage treatment plants should regularly test for total and soluble
phosphorus under direction of the State water pollution control agency and
results should be reported to the State agency.
Recommended Studies
lU. Research should be encouraged that would explore procedures for
recovering phosphorus.
15. The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, the FWPCA, the States, and
other agencies should increase the tempo of research programs in Lake Erie
to more clearly define all the factors adversely affecting the fishery,
municipal water supplies and recreational uses.
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20
16. Research should also be directed toward the following problems:
Toxic effects of algae
Botulism in waterfowl
Exploration of oil and gas
Taste and odor problems in drinking water
Short filter runs at water plants
Pollution "by vessels
Uniformity of regulations on marine toilets
Uniformity of fish laws
Effect of lake levels on Cladophora
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21
REFERENCES
1. Davis, C. C., 196U. Biological Research "in the Central Basin of
Lake Erie. Proceedings, 9th Conference on Great Lakes Research,
University of Michigan, Great Lakes Research Division Publica-
tion 15: 18-25.
2. Engelbrecht, R. S. and J. J. Morgan, 196l. Land Drainage as a Source
of Phosphorus in Illinois Surface Waters. Transaction of the
I960 Seminar on Algae and Metropolitan Wastes. U. S. Public
Health Service, Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center,
Cincinnati, Ohio
3. Sawyer, C. N., 195U. Factors Involved in Disposal of Sewage Ef-
fluents to Lakes. Sewage and Industrial wastes, 26; 317-328.
U. Sawyer, C. N., 1965. Problems of Phosphorus in Water Supplies,
American Water Works Association, 57: 1U31-1H39.
5. Weibel, S. R, R. J. Anderson, and R. L. Woodward, 196U. Urban
Runoff as a Factor in Stream Pollution. Journal, Water Pol-
lution Control Federation, 36(7): 9lk-92U.
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22
APPEBDDC A
REDUCTION IN PHOSPHORUS LOAD UECESSARY TO
MEET PROPOSED CRITERIA
The following method of calculation based on PO^-P loads and
apportioned flow of the Detroit River plus that from U. S. tribu-
taries is suggested. In apportioning the Detroit River, it is suggested
that kOJ> or 7^,000 cfs be assigned to carry Michigan loads into the
western basin and along the southern shore of the lake. Another k&f>
be assigned to carry the load from the upper lakes to mid Lake Erie and
the remaining 2Of> or 36,000 cfs to carry waste loads from Canada along
the Canadian shoreline.
With the above assumption and assuming the actual contribution
from Lake Huron equals 10,000 Ibs/day, the necessary waste reduction
of U. S. loads would be calculated as follows:
U. S. Loads Ibs/day total P
Upper lakes 0.1*0 x ^OOO1 = U,000 (b)
Michigan (est.) 55,000
Ohio tribs. & direct discharge U8,000
Pa. & H. Y. 6.000
Total 113,000 (a)
Flows (cfs) . O.kO x 185,000 + 12,000 from Ohio + 3,000 (est.)
from Pa. & N.Y. * 89,000 cfs.
Total Pfy permissible load = 89,000 cfs x 5.^ x 0.025 mg/1
=? 12,000 Ibs/day (c)
(0.025 is the suggested criteria for total P and 5.U is a factor
converting cfs and mg/1 to Ibs/day).
Required maximum reduction of U. S. loads
= a - c
a - b
= 113.000 - 12.000 = 92.5#
113,000 - 1*,000
The approximate distribution of these U. S. loads (ibs/day) and
$ reductions would be as follows:
Present Load Permissible Load # Reduction
Municipal 90,500 ^,520 95
Industrial 5,650 565 90
Runoff 17,000 6.800 60
11,885
10n Page 12 and 13 of the report, this figure is reported as less than
20,000 Ibs/day. For the purpose of making this calculation, the actual
discharge is assumed to be 10,000 Ibs/day.
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23
The percent reduction indicated would Toe required to maintain
the criteria for Total P at 0.025 mg/1.
Since 66ff> of the PO^ in municipal wastes is from detergents,
if the PO^ in detergents could be eliminated, the remaining P(V in
municipal wastes would have to be treated by 8™-
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APPENDIX B
PHOSEiATE REPORTING
The more common methods for expressing the results of chemical
determinations for phosphorus vary as to the form of phosphorus used. The •
most common methods express the results as ^2^5 (Phosphorus pentoxide),
?0^ (phosphate) and P (phosphorus). The relationship between these methods
of expression are:
1 mg/1 P = 2.29 mg/1 P20$ = 3.06 mg/1 PO^
1 mg/1 P04 «= 0.75 mg/1 ?205 = 0.33 mg/1 P
1 mg/1 P205 a 1.34 mg/1 P04 = 0.44 ing/1 P
The Committee decided that results or criteria should be reported
.or total phosphorus as P and soluble phosphorus as P to be consistent with
Sawyer and most of today's investigators.
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APPENDIX C
ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF
TOTAL PHOSPHATE
EXPRESSED AS TOTAL PHOSPHORUS
This method is according to 12 ed. Standard Methods, Method
C, p. 236 with some modifications.
1. General Discussion
1.1. Principle: The total-phosphate content of the sample
includes all the soluble orthophosphate and polyphosphates, and
insoluble phosphates precipitated during storage. If any insoluble
phosphates are present, for practical purposes they are assumed to
be insoluble orthophosphate. It is understood that total phosphate
is not to include insoluble phosphates that may have been present
in the original water and removed in sampling, unless expressly
requested; in that case, such insoluble phosphate will be reported
separately. Condensed phosphates, such as pyro-, tripoly-, and
higher-molecular-weight species (from commercial phosphates like
hexametaphosphate), are not normally present in natural waters, but
are frequently added in the course of water treatment. The concentra-
tion employed depends on the application. Polyphosphates do not
respond appreciably to the orthophosphate tests but can be hydrolyzed
to orthophosphate by boiling with acid. Also, the insoluble phosphates
can be dissolved by boiling with acid. Then, with the proper combina-
tions of filtration and boiling with acid and the orthophosphate value,
both the polyphosphates and insoluble phosphates can be determined
as their equivalent P%.
1.2. Interference: Interference from iron should not exceed
O.oU mg Fe in the portion taken for analysis. At least 25 mg/1
soluble silicates can be tolerated. Color and turbidity also inter-
fere. Chromate and strong oxidizing agents, such as peroxide,
bleach the blue color. Interference from nitrite (which also bleaches
the blue color) can be overcome by adding 0.1 g sulfamic acid to the
sample before adding the molybdate. Because of the very low POL
range, contamination is a problem.
Extracting the heteropoly acid into an immiscible solvent before
reduction greatly reduces the number of interferences; however, it
does not remove interference from arsenic and germanium. Extraction
also reduces the amount of polyphosphate determined with orthophosphate.
1.3. Minimum detectable concentration: The minimum detectable
concentration is about 0.01 mg/1 PO^. The sensitivity at 50 percent
transmittance is about 0.01 mg/1 for 1 percent change in transmittance.
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2. Apparatus
2.1. Colorimetric equipment: Visual comparison in nessler tubes
is not normally recommended, because of the difficulty in meeting the
tine requirement to obtain accurate results. One of the following is
required:
a. Spectrophotcmeter, for use at approximately 690 mu. The
color system also obeys Beer's law at 650 mu, with somewhat reduced
sensitivity, in the event the instrument available cannot be operated
at the optimum wave length. A light path of 0.5 cm or longer yields
satisfactory results.
b. Filter photometer, provided with a red filter exhibiting
maximum transmittance in the wave length range of 600-750 mu. A
light path of 0.5 cm or longer yields satisfactory results.
2.2. Filtration equipment: Membrane Filter
2.3. Acid-washed glassware: This may be of great importance,
particularly when determining low concentrations of phosphate.
Phosphate contamination is common owing to the formation of thin films
or absorption on iron oxide films on glassware. Commercial deter-
gents containing phosphate should be avoided. Glassware should be
cleaned with hot dilute HC1 and rinsed well with distilled water.
3. Reagents
3.1. Fhenolphthalein indicator solution: Either the aqueous
(a) or alcoholic (b) solution may be used.
a. Dissolved 5 g phenolphthalein disodium salt in distilled
water and dilute to 1 liter. If necessary, add 0.02N NaOH dropwise
until a faint pink color appears.
b. Dissolve 5 g phenolphthalein in 500 ml 95 percent ethyl alcohol
or iBopropyl alcohol and add 500 ml distilled water. Then add 0.02N
NaOH until a faint pink color appears.
3.2. ION
Potassium persulfate
3.3. Sodium hydroxide l.ON. Dissolve Uo g NaOH in a small quantity
of distilled water and dilute to 1 liter.
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27
3.^. Stock phosphate solution: Dissolve in distilled water
0.7165 g anhydrous potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KHJPCV, and dilute
to 1,000 ml; 1.00 ml«0.500 mg
3.5. Standard phosphate solution: Dilute 100.0 ml stock phos-
phate solution to 1,000 ml with distilled water; 1.00 ml»50,0 jug
3.6. Ammonium molybdate reagent (l): Dissolve 25 g
in 1T5 ml distilled water. Cautiously add 280 ml cone
ml distilled water. Cool, add the molybdate solution, ana dilute
to 1 liter.
3.7. Stannous chloride, reagent (l): Dissolve 2.5 g of a fresh
supply of SnCl^SHgO in 100 ml glycerol. Heat in a water bath and
stir with a glass rod to hasten dissolution. This reagent is stable
and requires neither preservatives nor special storage.
3.8. Reagents for extraction:
a. Benzens-lsobutanol solvent: Mix equal volunes of benmene
and isobutyl alcohol. (CAUTION: This solvent is highly flawable. )
b. Anmonium molybdate reagent (ll): Dissolve UO.l g
.UHgO in approximately 500 distilled water. Slowly add 396 ml mo
reagent (l). Cool, and dilute to 1 liter.
c. Alcoholic sulfur! c acid solution: Cautiously add 20 ml cone
to 980 ml methyl alcohol with continuous mixing.
d. Dilute stannous chloride reagent (H): Mix 8 ml stannous
chloride reagent (l) with 50 ml glycerol. This reagent is stable for
at least 6 months.
U. Procedure
l*.l. If precipitate or turbidity is present in the bottled
sample, two portions must be taken for analysis. One should consist
of 50 ml of the filtered sample. (See Sec. 2.2 for procedure on
filtering the sample.) The other portion should consist of 50 ml
of thoroughly mixed unflltered sample. To each of the 50 ml portions,
or aliquots diluted to 50 ml, add 1 drop of phenolphthalein indicator
solution. If a red color develops, add ION H^O^ dropwlse to discharge
color. Then add 1 ml of ION HgSO^ in excess and .U g.pottasium per-
sulfate to each.
k.2. Digest at boiling temperature for at least 30 minutes/
Remove any suspended matter by filtration. Add 1 drop of phenol-phthalein
Indicator solution and neutralize to a faint pink color with sodium
hydroxide solution. Restore portions to original 50 ml volume with
distilled water.
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l*-.3 . Determine the orthophosphate content of each treated portion
as described in k.k, U.5 and U.6, adapted to a sample volume of 50 ml.
h.h. Add, with thorough mixing after each addition, ^.0 ml
molybdate reagent (l)and 0.5 ml (10 drops) stannous chloride reagent
(l). The rate of color development and the intensity of color depend
on the temperature of the final solution, each 1°C increase producing
about 1 percent increase in color. Hence, samples, standards, and
reagents should "be within 2°C of one another and at a temperature
between 20° and 30°C.
U.5. After 10 min. "but before 12 min., employing the same
specific interval for all determinations, measure the color photo-
metrically at 690 mu and compare with a calibration curve, using a
distilled-water blank. Light path lengths suitable for various
phosphate ranges are as follows:
Approx Light
POj Range Path
mg/1
cm
1-6 0.5
0.3-3 2
0.02-0.5 10
A blank must always be run on the reagents and distilled water. In-
asmuch as the color at first develops progressively and later fades,
It is essential that timing be the same for samples as for standards.
At least one standard should be tested with each set of samples or
once each day that tests are made. The calibration curve may deviate
from a straight line at the upper concentrations of the 1-6 mg/1 range.
U.6. Extraction: When increased sensitivity is desired or inter-
ferences need to be overcome, extract the phosphate as follows: Pipet
a suitable aliquot of sample into a 100-ml graduated extraction
cylinder and dilute, if necessary, to ko ml with distilled water. Add
50.0 ml benzene-isobutanol solvent and 15.0 ml molybdate reagent (ll).
Close at once and shake vigorously for exactly 15 sec. Any delay in-
creases the amount of polyphosphate, if present, which will be in-
cluded in the orthophosphate value. Remove the stopper and withdraw
25.0 ml of separated organic layer, using a pipet and a safety aspir-
ator. Transfer to a 50-ml volumetric flask, add 15 to 16 ml alcoholic
sulfuric acid solution, swirl, add 10 drops (0.50 ml) dilute stannous
chloride reagent (ll), swirl, and dilute to the mark with alcoholic
sulfuric acid. Mix thoroughly: after 10 min. but before 30 min..
read against the blank at 625 nru. Prepare the blank by carrying 40
ml distilled water through the same procedure as the sample. Read
the PO^ concentration from a calibration curve prepared by taking
known phosphate standards through the same procedural steps as the
samples.
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5. Calculation
mg/1 PO^ = mg PO^ x 1.000
ml sample
Express all results as mg/1 P by multiplying the value obtained
for POh by the factor 0.326. The end result is therefore expressed
as total phosphorus.
6. Precision and Accuracy
The precision approximates £ 0.001 mg (0.02 mg/l) or about £
2 percent of the result, whichever is the larger numerical value.,
The accuracy depends on the amount of interferences and the apparatus
used. Serious differences between laboratories reporting on the
same sample can result from dirty glassware and inattention to phos-
phate-bearing suspended matter.
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