Overview Contaminated sediments continue to be a problem for many areas in the Great Lakes including Muskegon Lake and its tributaries. Muskegon Lake’s sediment contamination is highest near contaminated industrial sites, at storm sewer outfalls, tributary mouths and in deeper, depositional areas of the lake. Industrial growth and chemical production in the 1950’s and 1960’s, brought associated environmental contamination because of limited knowledge, lenient regulations for the disposal of waste products, non-compliance and a lack of enforcement. Although the sources no longer discharge waste directly to surface water, the sediments themselves continue to act as sources of contaminants. Contaminants continue to cycle in the system because of storm events and currents that transport sediment from location to location. Organisms living in the sediment also bring contaminants to the surface and into the food web.

What’s the problem? Once these contaminants enter the environment they impact living organisms through direct contact or indirectly by passing throughout the food web. Sediments in Muskegon Lake nearshore areas and tributaries are transported by lake currents and by high flow events. Environmental impacts from contaminants alter ecological health as organisms in the sediment ingest toxins and pass contaminants throughout the food web either altering the functioning or survival rate of wildlife that depend directly on these organisms. Some chemicals may have instant impacts on the environment while others become harmful to living organisms as they accumulate in body tissues and fat. Most notably the presence of contaminants can affect human health through consumption (fish/wildlife and water) and contact (directly with sediments or indirectly with the water).  The presence of contaminated sediments also affects economic development with increased testing and disposal costs. Contaminated sediment cleanup costs often exceed the financial resources of local governments and can complicate issues for the Army Corps of Engineers in maintaining navigation. Economic impacts can also reach tourism and sport markets as individuals decrease their use of Muskegon and Bear Lakes for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming activities.