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Title: AGROCHEMICAL INPUTS FROM FLORIDA CANALS TO THE BISCAYNE BAY

Author
item Harman Fetcho, Jennifer
item Hapeman, Cathleen
item McConnell, Laura
item Potter, Thomas
item Rice, Clifford
item Bialek Kalinski, Krystyna
item SCHAFFER, BRUCE - UNIV. OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2002
Publication Date: 11/17/2002
Citation: Harman-Fetcho, J.A., Hapeman, C.J., McConnell, L.L., Potter, T.L., Rice, C., Bialek-Kalinski, K.M., Schaffer, B.A. 2002. Agrochemical inputs from Florida canals to the Biscayne Bay [abstract]. SETAC 23rd Annual Meeting, November 16-20, 2002, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Significant declines in ecosystem health of the Biscayne and Florida Bays have been reported in the past decade and include: die-off of seagrass beds, declines in sponge, coral and shellfish populations and development of noxious algal blooms. Nearly 10 million pounds of inventoried agrochemicals are used in the South Atlantic estuarine drainage area. An exploratory project has been initiated in South Florida to assess the impact of intense agricultural production on air and water resources of the South Florida sensitive coastal ecosystems. Rain and air were collected over the Fall 2001/Spring 2002 growing season in Homestead, Florida at the University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center. Rain was collected on an event-basis and extracted on-line using solid-phase extraction cartridges. Air samples were obtained weekly using a high volume sampler with a glass-fiber filter followed by polyurethane foam plugs. Surface water samples were collected from the Mowery Canal, surrounding agricultural areas, and from the Biscayne Bay. All samples were analyzed by GC-MS in electron impact and negative chemical ionization modes. Concentrations of the currently-used pesticides, trifluralin, chlorpyrifos, malathion and endosulfan, in the surface water samples ranged from 0.1 to 0.7, 0.3 to 0.9, <0.2 to 0.6, 0.2 to 1.7 ng/L, respectively. Atrazine, hydroxyatrazine, alachlor, metachlor, and metolachlor ethane sulfonic acid were also detected in surface water samples. Agrochemical residues in surface water may be due to direct field runoff or atmospheric deposition.