An abandoned industrial facility on the banks of the Buffalo River in 2011
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Before modern-day regulations, Great Lakes municipalities and industries discharged heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and more into nearby rivers and harbors. Although discharges have greatly decreased, many of these contaminants still remain in the sediment at the bottom of our lakes and rivers.
Historic pollutants still pose a threat to public health and the environment. They harm wildlife and can leave fish unsafe to eat and the water unsuitable for drinking or swimming. Contamination also prevents communities from performing routine dredging needed to keep waterways open to vessel traffic, resulting in underutilized waterfronts and stunted economic growth. 
Oil contamination in the sediment creates a sheen.
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Studying pollution
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Local and state entities work with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify places that may be contaminated based on historic uses of the site and previous studies of the waterbody.
EPA's boat, the RV Mudpuppy II, takes samples to tell us what kind of contamination is in the sediment, the amount of contamination present, how deep the pollution is, and where that pollution is located. Scientists use many sources of data to understand pollution in the Great Lakes. An example of biological data is the U. S. Geological Survey's research on tree swallows. |
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From the water to your dinner plate
Photo provided by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
