Freshwater Ecosystem Government Guidelines in North America and Europe Insufficient Against Salt Pollution

Freshwater lakes are at risk from salt pollution after scientists have discovered that current government guidelines on freshwater ecosystems in the US, Canada, and Europe are insufficient when it comes to protecting them. 

The discovery is made under a new study where researchers suggest that certain human-made factors and activities like mining, road deicing salts, and agriculture fertilizers are increasing salt pollution in a freshwater ecosystem.

The study shows that pollution has an impact on freshwater organisms and species since it changes their natural habitat and biodiversity.

Furthermore, the scientists discovered that salt pollution is threatening the population of zooplankton; which is an important food source for freshwater fish.

Government Guidelines in North America and Europe

(Photo : Alessandro Rampazzo via Getty Images)

An international team of scientists, including researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, published a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) on Feb. 21.

The researchers concluded that current government guidelines on freshwater ecosystems in North America and some countries in Europe like Germany are insufficient when it comes to combating salt pollution, as per Phys.org.

The study revealed there is a miscalculation with the current salt concentrations-as government regulators perceived the salt is tolerable and safe for freshwater organisms.

However, the researchers argue salt concentrations in these regions are causing significant damage to freshwater lakes.

Also read: Plastic Waste in Freshwater Lakes Turned Into Colonies of Freshwater Algae

Rise of Freshwater Algae

The scientists emphasized that salt pollution threatens the population of freshwater zooplanktons, which can affect fish species, the cycling of nutrients, and the quality of water.

The decline of zooplanktons may give rise to freshwater algae theat can lead to overall freshwater lake deterioration.

Separate research published in the journal MDPI Switzerland website claimed that freshwater algae or algae blooms are harmful to freshwater lakes and freshwater ecosystems as a whole.

The algae's presence in these freshwater systems is considered to be toxic, especially when they accumulate in large numbers.

Human Activities and Salt Pollution

The new study's international research team determined that freshwater lakes in the US, Canada, and Europe are salt-contaminated.

This was made possible after the team magnified their examination of the current chloride threshold in the freshwater systems.

The team focused on sodium chloride; which triggers freshwater salinization, leading to the decrease of freshwater zooplankton and an increase in algae, as per UC San Diego News Center.

The salinization adds to the multitude of factors causing salt pollution.

All of this pollution has been attributed to human activities, such as the usage of fertilizers, mining operations near freshwater lakes, and road deicing salts.

Furthermore, the study reportedly mentioned that the worsening climate change contributes to salt pollution.

Revision of Guidelines

In light of the new study, scientists hope that not only governments in North America and Europe but also all countries worldwide will review their current guidelines, including current threshold concentrations, concerning the protection of their respective freshwater systems.

Related article: Winter Grab: Scientists Visit the Great Lakes to Understand Effects of Global Warming on Freshwater Ecosystem