What Darwin Never Saw
Autobiography
Glen M. Rosenow, Chemical Engineer/Environmental Manager
United States Steel Corporation, Gary Works, Gary Indiana
I am a chemical engineer, and I work as an environmental manager. This means that I monitor, or keep track of, the quality of water being discharged by the steel mill into Lake Michigan and the Grand Calumet River. Many chemicals are formed in the steel making process, and we have to make sure these chemicals do not create water pollution in our lakes and streams. We are constantly testing our water discharges for harmful substances. We also have to treat the water that has been used in order to remove any pollutants before the water goes back into Lake Michigan or the river. Many pollutants are removed through chemical reactions and changes to the acidity of the water (pH).
When I graduated from college in 1969, Lake Michigan was very polluted and was actually red from all the industrial wastes that were
being discharged into it from the steel mills along the lake. Fish and
other animal life were unable to exist in this environment. I was very
concerned about this and wanted to change it. I was very fortunate to be a
pioneer in the water pollution field. My career has been very rewarding.
I feel very proud today when I look out at the lake and river and see
people actually swimming and fishing, and when I now see many different
species of birds returning to the river ecosystem. One of the new birds I
discovered this week is the Green Heron. A pair of Peregrine Falcons are
now nesting within our plant. Just yesterday, I could see 8 feet to the
bottom of the river through clear water. The challenge for all of us now
is to keep it this way!
I became interested in chemistry when I was a young boy. The Mr. Wizard television program encouraged me to get my first chemistry set when I was 10 years old. I enjoyed experimenting with and learning about many different chemicals. This spurred me on to study chemistry and other sciences in high school I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and received my bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering in 1969.
Some other interests and hobbies of mine while growing up are Baseball, Basketball, Swimming, and Scouts.