Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from Glyphosate in Monsanto’s Roundup leaks into Lake Erie, coming from usage in nearby farms and taken there by rivers feeding into Lake Erie. According to Christopher Spiese, ever acre of Roundup Ready soybeans and corn planted by farmers equals one third of a pound of phosphorus going into the lake. DRP is one of the main sources of toxic algae bloom, which has made the water at times undrinkable and kills sea life.
“A dead fish surrounded by algae in Lake Erie during a record-setting algae bloom in 2011.” (Chow, Lorraine) Tom Archer / NOAA
Beyond algae, eight out of ten streams sampled near Lake Erie had pesticide concentrations in sea life above guidelines. In Michigan, chemicals such as DRP and PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), all ingredients in pesticides, have been the source of the majority of fish consumption warnings. These pesticides are known to impact the human nervous system, irritate skin and eyes, affect hormone/endocrine levels and even cause cancer.
The problem is widespread throughout the whole lake, with high toxin levels found in Black river, middle sister island, and other surrounding areas, though middle island (not to be confused with Middle Sister Island) has significantly lower pesticide levels due to being further in the lake.