craft on our lakes
Here”s why. While direct-injection and four-stroke engines have reduced direct spillage the problem continues. These improvements won”t have a real impact until all engines produced before 2001 have been replaced. Old two-strokes are estimated to discharge approximately 50 gallons unburned fuel annually, each. NRC reports four-stroke and DIJ engines discharge 1 to 6 gallons. But that doesn”t figure spillage during fueling, leaks in fabricated fuel tanks, fuel lines, poor engine maintenance, etc. Multiply that by all the boats, old and new, on Clear Lake now and in the past… Why? Just a thin layer of petroleum at water”s surface can block the light aquatic plants and photosynthetic zooplankton need, reducing oxygen for aquatic animals. Extremely low levels of hydrocarbons produce catastrophic effects in fish, including chromosomal damage, growth reduction, and increased mortality rates. Research shows even burned fuel has long-term impacts. The more dangerous compounds accumulate. MTBE and PAH”s pose the most serious threats to human and ecological health. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, produced when petroleum is combusted, are scary. PAH concentrations in lakes with high gas boat activity are usually found at levels dangerous to aquatic organisms and human health. These particles attach to fine sediment and other lake particles. Dangerous concentrations can be extremely low (parts-per-trillion), especially in waters where sunlight penetration is high. There are also significant adverse effects from PAHs bound to sediment where waters are higher in suspended solids.
Are we to exploit whatever profits we can until toxic levels get too high to ignore or will we demand prudent decisions, on behalf of future generations, requiring a declaration of no tolerance for any pollution of any of our water resources? If you had to put gasoline in a baby”s bath how much would be acceptable? A cup, tablespoon, thimbleful, few drops or none of the above?
James Blue Wolf
Nice
