US water quality report 'useful' in improving Utah lake

A national report on water quality in US freshwater streams, lakes and wetlands could be useful for understanding just how contaminated a Utah lake is, according to one scientist.

David Naftz, a Utah-based geochemist with the US Geological Survey, which conducted the research, told the Salt Lake Tribune that although the Great Salt Lake was not part of the investigation - because it is not a freshwater lake - the findings do provide a good guideline for local authorities to compare themselves to.

Since the information was released, the Utah Division of Water Quality, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah State University, the University of Utah and the US Environmental Protection Agency have joined the geological survey in studying mercury in the lake.

Jodi Gardberg, who works in the state water quality division, said: "This work has never been done before."

In related news, earlier this summer Xinhua reported that China's fifth-largest freshwater lake was at risk from an outbreak of blue algae.

Written by Lauren Steadman