Herbicides: a new threat to the Great Barrier Reef

Lewis, Stephen E., Brodie, Jon E., Bainbridge, Zoe T., Rohde, Ken W., Davis, Aaron M., Masters, Bronwyn L., Maughan, Mirjam, Devlin, Michelle J., Mueller, Jochen F., and Schaffelke, Britta (2009) Herbicides: a new threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Environmental Pollution, 157 (8-9). pp. 2470-2484.

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Abstract

The runoff of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) from agricultural lands is a key concern for the health of the iconic Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Relatively low levels of herbicide residues can reduce the productivity of marine plants and corals. However, the risk of these residues to Great Barrier Reef ecosystems has been poorly quantified due to a lack of large-scale datasets. Here we present results of a study tracing pesticide residues from rivers and creeks in three catchment regions to the adjacent marine environment. Several pesticides (mainly herbicides) were detected in both freshwater and coastal marine waters and were attributed to specific land uses in the catchment. Elevated herbicide concentrations were particularly associated with sugar cane cultivation in the adjacent catchment. We demonstrate that herbicides reach the Great Barrier Reef lagoon and may disturb sensitive marine ecosystems already affected by other pressures such as climate change.

Item ID: 5106
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1873-6424
Keywords: Great Barrier Reef; herbicides; diuron; atrazine; pesticides
Date Deposited: 26 Aug 2009 02:00
FoR Codes: 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050206 Environmental Monitoring @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960506 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 100%
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