Surface Runoff

In my opinion, surface runoff seems the most logical explanation for the main source of pollution in the Great Lakes. With the amount of pesticides being used growing larger as time goes on, there is no way these chemicals and poisons cannot have a very large impact on pollution. These poisons will all move and flow off of the surface, eventually finding their own way to add to the Great Lakes pollution. To me, this theory seems the most likely to cause the algae blooms, considering the incomprehensibly large amount of pesticide chemicals constantly being used. In order to control this, there should be a limit placed on the amount of pesticides allowed to be used. This could be put into effect by giving stores a certain limit of how much pesticides to sell. Laws could be made that limit the purchase of these products, just like laws have been made limiting the selling of other products. According to epa.gov, not only do the chemicals and poisons being directly spilled onto our land run into the Great Lakes, but rain falling on exposed soil prepared for agriculture or construction speeds up the process of erosion, thus leading to pollutants and soil particles flowing into tributaries. Also, forest and agricultural land clearing have also largely led to surface runoff. Not only is all of this surface runoff causing pollution and algae blooms, but it also introduces large flooding problems.This is a serious problem that will only continue to get worse if action is not taken.

http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/atlas/glat-ch2.html