The work of industrial enterprises and human activity leads to acute pollution of rivers, streams and lakes in Chicago. Numerous studies have shown that the water in these water bodies does not meet quality standards for recreation and fishing, writes chicagoname.com.
What are the rivers in Chicago polluted with?
The city’s waterway system is a combination of natural and run-of-rivers. Each segment is unique and serves different purposes. Bubbly Creek in the southern branch of the Chicago River has turned into a dump for waste from the city’s meat processing industry. The North Shore is struggling with overflowing sewers and the stench emanating from surrounding treatment facilities.
Industrial operations have a huge impact on the water quality in the northern arm of the Chicago River. As a result, spent oils, litter and household refuse get into the water. It is worth noting that as of 2021, 80 oil refineries in the United States had released 1.6 billion pounds of chlorides, sulfates and other harmful chemicals.
Furthermore, the city’s storm-water system has a lasting impact on the rivers. It was built in the 1850s to improve the sewer system. It became inefficient because, with the growth of the population in Chicago, the demand for freshwater increased.
The impact of polluted rivers on the environment
Pollution of water bodies leads to the death of plants and animals. In other cases, heavy metals can accumulate in their bodies, causing DNA structure changes and developmental problems. Contaminated waters are highly carcinogenic, which causes cancerous tumours that destroy fish organisms.
Aquatic creatures also experience energy metabolic disturbance, slowed reactions and reproductive dysfunction. When young fishes are poisoned with waste, they become weak and quickly die.
Environmental pollution also has a negative impact on humans, leading to health deterioration. Bacteria and viruses spread through infected water, often causing disease outbreaks that kill millions of planet inhabitants.
The accumulation of heavy metals in human tissues and organs leads to various disorders.
Measures aimed at cleaning rivers
The increase in population negatively affected the sanitary condition of Chicago. Problems related to waste disposal and the availability of clean water hindered the city’s development. Chicago obtained water from Lake Michigan. Waste was being discharged into the Chicago River, which flowed into this lake. As a result, it caused diseases that claimed thousands of lives.
In 1892, the authorities decided to build a canal that would cross the existing watershed between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. Since the Mississippi River basin is lower than Lake Michigan, water from the lake was supposed to flow through the canal. Builders started building the canal from the Chicago River and had to cover a distance of 45 kilometers and construct several dams and locks. In 1900, the sanitary and ship canal was opened. Thus, the Chicago River began to flow away from Lake Michigan.
The idea of developing controlled garbage collectors to purify urban rivers emerged in 2015. In 2017, the Urban Rivers’ startup team successfully created floating gardens on the Chicago River to help animals return to their natural habitat. Unfortunately, it was soon discovered that these gardens quickly became littered with trash. To address this issue, they began involving volunteers who would go to the riverbanks and manually collect large pieces of garbage. But the chaotic flow of the river reduced the effectiveness.
In 2022, as part of the Chicago River clean-up project, the Urban Rivers company grew around 1500 freshwater mussels, which filter water and remove pollutants from it.
Additionally, the organization often holds public events such as kayaking and seminars to educate people on the peculiarities of the river ecosystem.
It is important to remember that the environment depends on people. Therefore, every city resident should make every effort to improve the quality of water and air.