1
|
Skerratt J, Baird ME, Mongin M, Ellis R, Smith RA, Shaw M, Steven ADL. Dispersal of the pesticide diuron in the Great Barrier Reef. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163041. [PMID: 36965738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides from urban and agricultural runoff have been detected at concentrations above current water quality guidelines in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) marine environment. We quantify the load of the pesticide diuron entering GBR waters using the GBR-Dynamic SedNet catchment model. After comparison of simulated distributions with observations at 11 monitoring sites we determined a half-life of diuron in GBR marine waters of 40 days. We followed diuron dispersal in the GBR (2016-2018) using the 1 km resolution eReefs marine model. The highest diuron concentrations in GBR waters occurred in the Mackay-Whitsunday region with a spike in January and March 2017, associated with 126 and 118 kg d-1 diuron loads from Plane Creek and the O'Connell River respectively. We quantify areas of GBR waters exposed to potentially ecotoxic concentrations of diuron. Between 2016 and 2018, 400 km2 and 1400 km2 of the GBR were exposed to concentrations exceeding ecosystem threshold values of 0.43 and 0.075 μg L-1 respectively. Using observed mapped coral and seagrass habitat, 175 km2 of seagrass beds and 50 km2 of coral habitats had peak diuron concentrations above 0.075 μg L-1 during this period. While the highest concentrations are localised to river plumes and inshore environments, non-zero diuron concentrations extend along the Queensland coast. These simulations provide new knowledge for the understanding of pesticide dispersal and management-use in GBR catchments and the design of in-water monitoring systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robin Ellis
- Science Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rachael A Smith
- Office of the Great Barrier Reef, Department of Environment and Science, Brisbane 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Melanie Shaw
- Science Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Brisbane, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rybacki P, Przygodziński P, Blecharczyk A, Kowalik I, Osuch A, Osuch E. Strip spraying technology for precise herbicide application in carrot fields. OPEN CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this empirical field research was to show potential differences due to the precise application of herbicides in the quality and size of the carrot root yield and the amount of working liquid used compared to those for control samples. Empirical verification of the effectiveness of the developed technology, confirmed by statistical analyses of the obtained results, allows for a comparative assessment of this method with the conventional method of herbicide application used in this study. Due to the methodology used, it can be assumed that for carrots, the years were a random factor, and the experiments carried out were a series. It can be assumed that in the analysis of a series of experiments, for each of the examined features there are no differences between the groups and there is no interaction of the groups with the years. The yields of the groups weeded manually, sprayed in a conventional way, and weeded with precise spraying did not differ in a statistically significant way. In the precise application, a 20–30% lower herbicide consumption was observed, which has an impact on the protection of the environment and improves the economic effect of carrot production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rybacki
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agronomy, Horticulture and Bioengineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Dojazd 11 , 60-632 Poznan , Poland
| | - Przemysław Przygodziński
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agronomy, Horticulture and Bioengineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Dojazd 11 , 60-632 Poznan , Poland
| | - Andrzej Blecharczyk
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agronomy, Horticulture and Bioengineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Dojazd 11 , 60-632 Poznan , Poland
| | - Ireneusz Kowalik
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agronomy, Horticulture and Bioengineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Dojazd 11 , 60-632 Poznan , Poland
| | - Andrzej Osuch
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Wojska Polskiego 50 , 60-627 Poznan , Poland
| | - Ewa Osuch
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Life Sciences , Wojska Polskiego 50 , 60-627 Poznan , Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fillols E, Davis AM, Lewis SE, Ward A. Combining weed efficacy, economics and environmental considerations for improved herbicide management in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 720:137481. [PMID: 32145617 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The current Australian sugarcane industry transition toward adoption of an 'alternative' herbicide strategy as part of improved environmental stewardship is increasingly complicated by recent farming system, regulatory and herbicidal product changes. This study quantified and compared the efficacy, economic costs and environmental risk profiles of a range of established, emerging, and recently registered pre-emergent herbicides across field trials in the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland. Several herbicides were effective on certain weed species, but lacked broad spectrum control. Better efficacy results from products with multiple active ingredients (i.e., imazapic-hexazinone) demonstrated the benefits of using mixtures of active ingredients to widen the spectrum of weed control efficacy. All tested pre-emergent herbicides behaved quite similarly in terms of their propensity for off-site movement in water (surface runoff losses generally >10% of active applied), with their losses largely driven by their application rate. Herbicides with lower application rates consistently contributed less to the total herbicide loads measured in surface runoff. Results demonstrated alternative choices from the more environmentally problematic herbicides (such as diuron) are available with effective alternative formulations providing between 4 and 29 times less risk than the traditional diuron-hexazinone 'full rate'. However, considerable challenges still face canegrowers in making cost-effective decisions on sustainable herbicide selection. Additional research and effective grower extension are required to address information gaps in issues such as specific weed control efficacy of alternative herbicides and potential blending of some herbicides for more effective broad spectrum weed control, while also minimising environmental risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Fillols
- Sugar Research Australia Ltd, PO Box 122, Gordonvale, 4865, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aaron M Davis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Stephen E Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Ward
- Mars Wrigley, 1351 Boundary Rd, Wacol QLD 4076, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Quantifying Water Quality Improvements through Use of Precision Herbicide Application Technologies in a Dry-Tropical, Furrow-Irrigated Cropping System. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11112326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study compared water quality effects of using precision herbicide application technologies and traditional spraying approaches across several regulated ‘priority’ and alternative pre- and post-emergent herbicides in a northern Australian cane farming system. Use of herbicide banding spray technologies resulted in pre-emergent herbicide load reductions, extending substantially beyond simple proportionate decreases in the amount of herbicide ingredient applied to paddocks. Aquatic risk assessment from resultant chemical mixtures leaving paddocks, and upscaled to local catchment concentrations, highlighted that precision application technologies could markedly reduce the ecological risk of pre-emergent herbicides. These risk reductions were, however, often complicated by the additional toxicity of post-emergent herbicides in mixtures, some associated with the adoption of band-spraying weed treatments. While the currently regulated priority herbicide, diuron, posed the greatest risk to the environment, alternative herbicides could still pose significant environmental risks, although these relative risks were lower at more ecologically relevant concentrations, typically found in the local freshwater ecosystems. Results underline the need for a carefully considered approach to integrating alternative herbicides and precision application technologies into improved weed management by irrigating cane farmers. Recent government changes to the appraisal of water quality improvement progress, from load-based to ecosystem-based targets, involving a much broader suite of herbicides, also appear likely to complicate assessment of the environmental impacts of practice change adoption for the industry.
Collapse
|
5
|
Nhiwatiwa T, Dalu T, Brendonck L. Impact of irrigation based sugarcane cultivation on the Chiredzi and Runde Rivers quality, Zimbabwe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 587-588:316-325. [PMID: 28238432 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture is vital in sustaining human livelihoods. However, agriculture as it is currently practiced, is contributing to the degradation of freshwater ecosystems globally. We investigated impacts of irrigation return flows from sugarcane farming on water quality and health status of the Chiredzi and Runde Rivers, a biodiversity hotspot region in south-eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe. The water quality at inlets from the crop field into the wetland system; wetland outlets into the river systems; and river sites upstream and downstream of wetland outlets were monitored during the dry and wet seasons. The wetland system formed naturally from excessive drainage from the cane fields but its purifying capacity was unknown to date. An assessment of the water physical-chemical variables (at all sites) and macroinvertebrate communities (at river sites only) was carried out. Results showed that the wetland was deficient in its purifying capacity as it was already saturated by salts and nutrients from high irrigation return flow loads. A significant seasonal variation was observed for conductivity, reactive phosphorus (RP), pH and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations among the inlets to the wetland whereas among the river sites significant seasonal differences were observed for ammonium, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, RP, pH, TP and turbidity concentrations during the dry season. From the macroinvertebrate community data the impact of the irrigation return flows on the river system was apparent, as the good water quality sites were characterised by a high diversity of pollution sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa, while the irrigation impacted sites were characterised and dominated by pollution tolerant taxa. High ion concentration (conductivity and salinity) and pH were found to be important in structuring macroinvertebrate communities as determined using multivariate analysis in the river system. In conclusion, the river water quality was significantly impacted by irrigation return flows and this greatly reduced the ecological health as highlighted by low macroinvertebrate diversity and increases in physical-chemical variables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamuka Nhiwatiwa
- Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box MP 167, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, P Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
| | - Luc Brendonck
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, KU Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, Leuven B-3000, Belgium; Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nachimuthu G, Halpin NV, Bell MJ. Effect of sugarcane cropping systems on herbicide losses in surface runoff. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 557-558:773-84. [PMID: 27046141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Herbicide runoff from cropping fields has been identified as a threat to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. A field investigation was carried out to monitor the changes in runoff water quality resulting from four different sugarcane cropping systems that included different herbicides and contrasting tillage and trash management practices. These include (i) Conventional - Tillage (beds and inter-rows) with residual herbicides used; (ii) Improved - only the beds were tilled (zonal) with reduced residual herbicides used; (iii) Aspirational - minimum tillage (one pass of a single tine ripper before planting) with trash mulch, no residual herbicides and a legume intercrop after cane establishment; and (iv) New Farming System (NFS) - minimum tillage as in Aspirational practice with a grain legume rotation and a combination of residual and knockdown herbicides. Results suggest soil and trash management had a larger effect on the herbicide losses in runoff than the physico-chemical properties of herbicides. Improved practices with 30% lower atrazine application rates than used in conventional systems produced reduced runoff volumes by 40% and atrazine loss by 62%. There were a 2-fold variation in atrazine and >10-fold variation in metribuzin loads in runoff water between reduced tillage systems differing in soil disturbance and surface residue cover from the previous rotation crops, despite the same herbicide application rates. The elevated risk of offsite losses from herbicides was illustrated by the high concentrations of diuron (14μgL(-1)) recorded in runoff that occurred >2.5months after herbicide application in a 1(st) ratoon crop. A cropping system employing less persistent non-selective herbicides and an inter-row soybean mulch resulted in no residual herbicide contamination in runoff water, but recorded 12.3% lower yield compared to Conventional practice. These findings reveal a trade-off between achieving good water quality with minimal herbicide contamination and maintaining farm profitability with good weed control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gunasekhar Nachimuthu
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australian Cotton Research Institute, 21888 Kamilaroi Highway, Narrabri, NSW 2390, Australia; Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD), Bundaberg Research Facility, 49 Ashfield Road, Kalkie, QLD 4670, Australia.
| | - Neil V Halpin
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QLD), Bundaberg Research Facility, 49 Ashfield Road, Kalkie, QLD 4670, Australia
| | - Michael J Bell
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lewis SE, Silburn DM, Kookana RS, Shaw M. Pesticide Behavior, Fate, and Effects in the Tropics: An Overview of the Current State of Knowledge. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:3917-3924. [PMID: 27160796 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This special issue presents a collection of papers covering the environmental fate, effects, and risk of pesticides in tropical environments, which is expected to facilitate improved management of pesticides. Environmental monitoring programs of surface and ground waters in the tropics, including areas of high ecological value, have detected several relatively polar pesticides at concentrations that are of ecological concern. Novel monitoring techniques have the capacity to reveal the spatial and temporal extent of such risks. To best manage these pesticides, their sorption, dissipation rates, leaching, and runoff potential need to be better understood. On these aspects, important insights have been provided by several studies within this issue. Improved understanding of the environmental fate, effects, and risks through studies presented in this special issue is crucial for minimizing the nontarget impacts of pesticides on biodiversity-rich tropical regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University , Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - D Mark Silburn
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines , Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
- National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Rai S Kookana
- CSIRO Land and Water/University of Adelaide , Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Melanie Shaw
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines , Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Melland AR, Silburn DM, McHugh AD, Fillols E, Rojas-Ponce S, Baillie C, Lewis S. Spot Spraying Reduces Herbicide Concentrations in Runoff. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:4009-4020. [PMID: 26479195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b03688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Rainfall simulator trials were conducted on sugar cane paddocks across dry-tropical and subtropical Queensland, Australia, to examine the potential for spot spraying to reduce herbicide losses in runoff. Recommended rates of the herbicides glyphosate, 2,4-D, fluoroxypyr, atrazine, and diuron were sprayed onto 0, 20, 40, 50, 70, or 100% of the area of runoff plots. Simulated rainfall was applied 2 days after spraying to induce runoff at one plant cane and three ratoon crop sites. Over 50% of all herbicides were transported in the dissolved phase of runoff, regardless of the herbicide's sediment-water partition coefficient. For most sites and herbicides, runoff herbicide concentrations decreased with decreasing spray coverage and with decreasing herbicide load in the soil and cane residues. Importantly, sites with higher infiltration prior to runoff and lower total runoff had lower runoff herbicide concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Melland
- National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba, 4350 Queensland, Australia
| | - D Mark Silburn
- National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba, 4350 Queensland, Australia
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government , Toowoomba, 4350 Queensland, Australia
| | - Allen D McHugh
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences , Yinchuan, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Emilie Fillols
- Sugar Research Australia Ltd., Te Kowai, 4740 Queensland, Australia
| | - Samuel Rojas-Ponce
- Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government , Toowoomba, 4350 Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig Baillie
- National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba, 4350 Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, James Cook University , Townsville, 4811 Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Davis AM, Pradolin J. Precision Herbicide Application Technologies To Decrease Herbicide Losses in Furrow Irrigation Outflows in a Northeastern Australian Cropping System. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:4021-4028. [PMID: 26795709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b04987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study compared water quality benefits of using precision herbicide application technologies in relation to traditional spraying approaches across several pre- and postemergent herbicides in furrow-irrigated canefarming systems. The use of shielded sprayers (herbicide banding) provided herbicide load reductions extending substantially beyond simple proportionate decreases in amount of active herbicide ingredient applied to paddocks. These reductions were due largely to the extra management control available to irrigating growers in relation to where both herbicides and irrigation water can be applied to paddocks, coupled with knowledge of herbicide toxicological and physicochemical properties. Despite more complex herbicide mixtures being applied in banded practices, banding provided capacity for greatly reduced environmental toxicity in off-paddock losses. Similar toxicological and loss profiles of alternative herbicides relative to recently regulated pre-emergent herbicides highlight the need for a carefully considered approach to integrating alternative herbicides into improved pest management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Davis
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University , Townsville, Australia
| | - Jordan Pradolin
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University , Townsville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Toniêto TAP, de Pierri L, Tornisielo VL, Regitano JB. Fate of Tebuthiuron and Hexazinone in Green-Cane Harvesting System. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:3960-3966. [PMID: 26731582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b04665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In Brazil, fire prior to sugar cane harvesting has to be phased out by 2017, but it has already been phased out in up to 85-90% of the cropped area. The new system is called green cane and has entirely changed weed management practices. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of the straw presence as well as humic acid (HA), formulation, soil type, and aging on the sorption and leaching of (14)C-tebuthiuron and hexazinone. Both herbicides presented low sorption for all treatments (Kd,app ≤ 3.25 L kg(-1)), but it was higher for tebuthiuron in the clayer soil (LVd). Straw and aging only slightly enhanced sorption. The HA effects were not clear. Sorption was mostly affected by herbicide and soil type. Straw may promote physical trapping (∼40% of applied amount), which cannot be accessed by "batch" sorption (∼15% of the applied amount is sorbed), attenuating leaching of highly mobile herbicides in green-cane systems. To properly assess leaching through straw residues under laboratory condition, rainfall distribution is very important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Letícia de Pierri
- Department of Soil Science, University of São Paulo (USP/ESALQ) , Av. Pádua Dias 11, 13418-260 Piracicaba (SP), Brazil
| | - Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, University of São Paulo (USP/CENA) , Av. Centenário 303, 13400-970 Piracicaba (SP), Brazil
| | - Jussara Borges Regitano
- Department of Soil Science, University of São Paulo (USP/ESALQ) , Av. Pádua Dias 11, 13418-260 Piracicaba (SP), Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
O'Brien D, Lewis S, Davis A, Gallen C, Smith R, Turner R, Warne M, Turner S, Caswell S, Mueller JF, Brodie J. Spatial and Temporal Variability in Pesticide Exposure Downstream of a Heavily Irrigated Cropping Area: Application of Different Monitoring Techniques. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:3975-3989. [PMID: 26755130 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b04710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide exposure threatens many freshwater and estuarine ecosystems around the world. This study examined the temporal and spatial trends of pesticide concentrations in a waterway within an agriculturally developed dry-tropics catchment using a combination of grab and passive sampling methods over a continuous two-year monitoring program. A total of 43 pesticide residues were detected with 7 pesticides exceeding ecologically relevant water quality guidelines/trigger values during the study period and 4 (ametryn, atrazine, diuron, and metolachlor) of these exceeding guidelines for several months. The presence and concentration of the pesticides in the stream coincided with seasonal variability in rainfall, harvest timing/cropping cycle, and management changes. The sampling approach used demonstrates that the application of these complementary sampling techniques (both grab and passive sampling methods) was effective in establishing pesticide usage patterns in upstream locations where application data are unavailable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique O'Brien
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, ATSIP, DB145, James Cook University , Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Stephen Lewis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, ATSIP, DB145, James Cook University , Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Aaron Davis
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, ATSIP, DB145, James Cook University , Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Christie Gallen
- The University of Queensland, Entox , 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Rachael Smith
- Water Quality and Investigations, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Science, Science Delivery, Queensland Department of ScienceInformation Technology and Innovation (DSITI) , Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Ryan Turner
- Water Quality and Investigations, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Science, Science Delivery, Queensland Department of ScienceInformation Technology and Innovation (DSITI) , Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Michael Warne
- Water Quality and Investigations, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Science, Science Delivery, Queensland Department of ScienceInformation Technology and Innovation (DSITI) , Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Scott Turner
- Organic Chemistry, Forensic and Scientific Services, Health Support, Queensland Department of Health, Queensland Government , 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Stewart Caswell
- Organic Chemistry, Forensic and Scientific Services, Health Support, Queensland Department of Health, Queensland Government , 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- The University of Queensland, Entox , 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Jon Brodie
- Catchment to Reef Research Group, TropWATER, ATSIP, DB145, James Cook University , Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wenger AS, Williamson DH, da Silva ET, Ceccarelli DM, Browne NK, Petus C, Devlin MJ. Effects of reduced water quality on coral reefs in and out of no-take marine reserves. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2016; 30:142-53. [PMID: 26132810 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Near-shore marine environments are increasingly subjected to reduced water quality, and their ability to withstand it is critical to their persistence. The potential role marine reserves may play in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality has received little attention. We investigated the spatial and temporal variability in live coral and macro-algal cover and water quality during moderate and major flooding events of the Fitzroy River within the Keppel Bay region of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from 2007 to 2013. We used 7 years of remote sensing data on water quality and data from long-term monitoring of coral reefs to quantify exposure of coral reefs to flood plumes. We used a distance linear model to partition the contribution of abiotic and biotic factors, including zoning, as drivers of the observed changes in coral and macro-algae cover. Moderate flood plumes from 2007 to 2009 did not affect coral cover on reefs in the Keppel Islands, suggesting the reef has intrinsic resistance against short-term exposure to reduced water quality. However, from 2009 to 2013, live coral cover declined by ∼ 50% following several weeks of exposure to turbid, low salinity water from major flood plume events in 2011 and subsequent moderate events in 2012 and 2013. Although the flooding events in 2012 and 2013 were smaller than the flooding events between 2007 to 2009, the ability of the reefs to withstand these moderate floods was lost, as evidenced by a ∼ 20% decline in coral cover between 2011 to 2013. Although zoning (no-take reserve or fished) was identified a significant driver of coral cover, we recorded consistently lower coral cover on reserve reefs than on fished reefs throughout the study period and significantly lower cover in 2011. Our findings suggest that even reefs with an inherent resistance to reduced water quality are not able to withstand repeated disturbance events. The limitations of reserves in mitigating the effects of reduced water quality on near-shore coral reefs underscores the importance of integrated management approaches that combine effective land-based management with networks of no-take reserves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia S Wenger
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David H Williamson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | | | - Daniela M Ceccarelli
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Nicola K Browne
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bentley Campus, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Caroline Petus
- TropWater, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Davis AM, Lewis SE, Brodie JE, Benson A. The potential benefits of herbicide regulation: a cautionary note for the Great Barrier Reef catchment area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 490:81-92. [PMID: 24840283 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Industry transitions away from traditional photosystem II inhibiting (PSII) herbicides towards an 'alternative' herbicide suite are now widely advocated as a key component of improved environmental outcomes for Australia's Great Barrier Reef and improved environmental stewardship on the part of the Queensland sugar industry. A systematic desktop risk analysis found that based on current farming practices, traditional PSII herbicides can pose significant environmental risks. Several of the 'alternatives' that can directly fill a specific pre-emergent ('soil residual') weed control function similar to regulated PSII herbicides also, however, presented a similar environmental risk profile, regardless of farming systems and bio-climatic zones being considered. Several alternatives with a pre-emergent residual function as well as alternative post-emergent (contact or 'knockdown') herbicides were, predicted to pose lower environmental risks than the regulated PSII herbicides to most trophic levels, although environmental risks could still be present. While several herbicides may well be viable alternatives in terms of weed control, they can still present equal or possibly higher risks to the environment. Imposing additional regulations (or even de-registrations) on particular herbicides could result in marginal, and possibly perverse environmental impacts in the long term, if usage shifts to alternative herbicides with similar risk profiles. Regardless of any regulatory efforts, improved environmental sustainability outcomes in pesticide practices within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area will hinge primarily on the continuing adoption of integrated, strategic pest management systems and technologies applied to both traditional and 'alternative' herbicides. One of the emerging policy challenges is ensuring the requisite technical and extension support for cane growers to ensure effective adoption of rapidly evolving farming system technologies, in a very dynamic and scrutinised herbicide management environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A M Davis
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
| | - S E Lewis
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - J E Brodie
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Ash Benson
- Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited, 181 Fairford Road , Ingham, Qld 4850, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|