Recent searches
Search options
Pesticides, normally found in Great Lakes tributaries during summer, now found year-round
Pesticides are making their way into tributaries around the Great Lakes, many at toxicity levels that exceed federal thresholds considered safe for #aquatic life, according to a recent study.
A team of researchers recently found evidence of 31 different pesticides in the #Milwaukee River.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry shows that these #pesticides are present year-round and not just during the warmer months when they are typically applied.
#greatlakes #lakemichigan #wisconsin
(More)
“In urban and suburban areas, #herbicides and #insecticides are used to maintain golf courses and lawns as well as for pest control. Fungicides are commonly used in building materials to kill or stop the growth of mold.
“Freshwater #ecosystems are very vulnerable to these pesticides… because they can get into the water in so many different ways,” said Cheryl Nenn, who manages the water quality monitoring program for #Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Pesticides can soak into the land getting into the #groundwater or they can wash directly into the #water.”
(More)
“What is particularly concerning, though, is that high levels of pesticides were found all year, much longer than previous studies have shown, Nenn said.
Because there are so many chemicals that wash into these rivers, it’s unclear what the exact impact on aquatic life might be, Oliver said.
But Oliver hopes the results will help when it comes to protecting #freshwater around the region, showing what compounds should be prioritized. It also will help scientists zoom in on what compounds to look at to better understand how #pesticides impact fish and other #aquatic life.”