ARS | Publication request: Pesticide fate and transport from farm fields adjacent to the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Submitted to: Aquatic Sciences - Research Across Boundaries
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 6, 2010
Publication Date: February 13, 2011
Citation: Potter, T.L., Bosch, D.D., Dieppa, A., Sotomayor-Ramirez, D., Ardila-Sierra, G.L., Vega, J., Strickland, T.C., Hubbard, R.K., Lowrance, R.R. 2011. Pesticide fate and transport from farm fields adjacent to the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve [abstract]. American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Aquatic Sciences - Research Across Boundaries.

Technical Abstract: Agriculture is a primary land-use in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR) watershed located on Puerto Rico's southeast coast. Crop production in near-shore areas depends on pesticides for weed, disease and insect control. There are continuing concerns about their potential for adverse ecotoxicological impact on the Bay and bordering wetland habitats. Over the past three years we have evaluated pesticide fate and transport from a farm field adjacent to JBNERR's Mar Negro mangrove forest region. Active ingredients and selected degradates of products used for silage production were monitored in shallow groundwater, drainage ditches, and estuarine waters. Residues, levels detected, and their timing indicated that surface water drainage associated with tropical storm events is a primary pathway for pesticide residue transport. Companion studies showed that loading of a frequently used product, atrazine, to Mar Negro and the Bay was likely reduced due to very rapid degradation in cropland soil. We conclude that mitigation measures including storm water detention and treatment, and improved pest management practices are needed to protect Mar Negro and other critical JBNERR habitats.