Fireworks on the 4th: Best kept ashore?

Fireworks on the 4th of July are a longstanding and grand tradition.  But mix these lively entertaining explosives with a lake water and the result is less than celebratory.  Along with the paper trash left over from a spent rocket are the residues and traces of many different chemicals including metals and phosphorous.  Phosphorus can pose a significant problem in lakes since it is usually in short supply and it takes very little extra phosphorous to trigger algal blooms.  If you would like more information about the effects of fireworks on water quality in New Hampshire lakes you can check out this article at the NH Lakes website.