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Title: PESTICIDE OCCURRENCE IN SELECTED SOUTH FLORIDA CANALS AND BISCAYNE BAY DURING HIGH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY

Author
item Harman Fetcho, Jennifer
item McConnell, Laura
item Potter, Thomas
item Rice, Clifford
item Sadeghi, Ali
item Sefton, Kerry
item SCHAFFER, B - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item CURRY, R - NAT PARK SERV
item Bialek Kalinski, Krystyna
item Smith, Ramona
item Hapeman, Cathleen

Submitted to: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2005
Publication Date: 11/17/2005
Citation: Harman Fetcho, J.A., McConnell, L.L., Potter, T.L., Rice, C., Sadeghi, A.M., Sefton, K.A., Schaffer, B.A., Curry, R.W., Bialek Kalinski, K.M., Smith, R.D., Hapeman, C.J. 2005. Pesticide occurrence in selected south florida canals and biscayne bay during high agricultural activity [abstract]. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Abstracts. p. 164.

Interpretive Summary: .

Technical Abstract: Climate and soil conditions in South Florida along with an extensive canal system facilitate movement of agricultural pesticides into surface waters. In a two-year study (2002-2004) of the currently-used pesticides in South Florida, 91 surface water samples were analyzed for 39 pesticides. Atrazine, endosulfan, metolachlor, chlorpyrifos, and chlorothalonil were the most frequently detected in the canals and in Biscayne Bay, with average concentrations of 16, 11, 9.0, 2.6 and 6.0 ng/L, respectively. Concentrations of atrazine and chlorpyrifos were highest near corn production. Chlorothalonil and endosulfan concentrations were highest near vegetable production, with no clear trend for metolachlor which is used on multiple crops. Concentration data were used to calculate an aquatic life hazard potential for the planting period (November) versus the harvest period (March). This analysis indicated that a higher hazard potential occurs during harvest, primarily from the use of endosulfan. These data will also serve to document canal conditions prior to implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).