GVSU study analyzes 50 West Michigan lakes for salt runoff

The study, led by Steinman and assistant professor Sean Woznicki, was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey. Samples from 50 lakes across a five-county area - Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana - were analyzed.

"When a lake becomes full of too much salt, we see changes in the salinity that can impact the organisms living in the lake," said adjunct research assistant Katie Tyrrell.

"Salt water is denser than fresh water, so you have salt pollution that ends up settling to the bottom of the lake that can prevent the lake from turning over and mixing like it normally would."