Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Volume 23, Issue 01 | October 23, 2023

Policy Memo: Reducing Harmful Algal Blooms in Michigan and the Great Lakes

Krystina Hird(1), Elyse Baden(2) 
  1. Michigan State University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Lansing, MI, USA
  2. Michigan State University, James Madison College, East Lansing, MI, USA 

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Corresponding author: [email protected] ​
Keywords: harmful algal blooms (HABs); Great Lakes; Michigan; phosphorus; alternative fertilizers; waterways; agriculture
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG230104 

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Executive Summary

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) threaten the health of the Great Lakes and, by extension, the plants, animals, and humans who live in the region. Excess phosphorus from synthetic fertilizers that leach into water systems are the primary cause of HABs. To attempt to address the issue, the Michigan state government has focused on causal factors and tracked HABs’ locations. However, more effective solutions are available to prevent excess nutrients from entering at-risk surface water. We propose a state policy to limit the amount of phosphorus in cropland soils to 30 parts per million (ppm). This policy would greatly reduce nutrient runoff at the source, thereby mitigating the growth of HABs in Michigan waterways. 

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Background header image courtesy of Detroit Free Press
Krystina Hird is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the global nitrogen cycle, specifically the reduction of nitrite to ammonium via the Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium pathway. She interned at West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Circle of Blue. After completing her Ph.D., Krystina plans on pursuing a career in science policy. 

​Elyse Baden is a recent graduate of Michigan State University who focused her studies on environmental policy and ethics. She is a member of the Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme and represented the United States at the United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum in April of 2023. Elyse also serves as the North American lead of a global initiative to promote and expand the Sustainable Development Goals.

Disclaimer 
The authors disclose that they have no conflict of interest in this form.

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