Newmarket
July 26, 2008 09:35 PM
By: Amanda Persico
For the first time in Canada, a phosphorus-locking agent was applied and tested in Newmarket waters.
Phosphorus is a plant nutrient, but vast amounts are harmful to aquatic plants and coldwater fish.
“It’s found in everything: ice cream, toothpaste and fertilizer,” said Michael Walters, director of watershed management for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
High phosphorus concentrations promote wild and excessive growth of aquatic weeds and algae, sucking oxygen out of the water.
Without oxygen, fish are forced to shallow waters, exposing themselves to predators. The coldwater fishery in Lake Simcoe is not sustainable, he said, adding water then becomes weedy and mucky, making recreation undesirable, said Mr. Walters.
The authority introduced the Phoslock application into the Cane Parkway storm water management pond, an on-site agent that traps phosphorus. Phoslock is a modified clay and rare earth mixture sprayed on the water.
The application will instantly remove seven to 10 kilograms of phosphorus from the Cane Parkway pond.
During the 1960s, researchers noticed the high amounts of phosphorus in Ontario waters. It had lagging effects on fisheries, recreation activities and even cottage development along lakefronts, said Gord Miller, the environmental commissioner of Ontario.
There are limited ways to control phosphorus levels once it enters the water system, he said.
“(This) another tool in the tool kit,” Mr. Miller said. “It’s the last great environmental problem. Now, we’re learning how to tie it up.”
Over the next month, the LSRCA will monitor the pond’s water and rain patterns.
The application’s success will determine usage in other bodies of water, such as the Holland Marsh.