Eutrophication and salinization of urban and rural kettle lakes in Kalamazoo and Barry Counties, Michigan, USA

Salinization and eutrophication caused by runoff of road salt and nutrients was assessed in three kettle lakes, two (Woods and Asylum Lakes) located in urban Kalamazoo, MI, and one (Brewster Lake) in rural Hastings, MI. Profiles of dissolved O2, conductivity, pH, and temperature were measured in situ, at half meter intervals. Water samples were collected at discrete depth intervals of 1 m and analyzed for Fe(II), Mn(II), ammonium, alkalinity, Cl−, Na, Mg, K and Ca. Results of this study indicate that all three lakes are eutrophic with anoxic bottom waters. Conductivity was much greater, and Cl− levels were more than 100 times greater, in the two urban lakes compared to the rural lake, demonstrating the significant impact of road salt deicers on urban lake water chemistry.

► Eutrophication was compared in urban and rural lakes in Michigan, USA.
► Salinization of urban and rural lakes in Michigan, USA was compared.
► Urban lakes contained significantly higher Na and Cl then a rural lake.
► All lakes studied showed were eutrophic and redox-stratified.