Agrochemical Fate in South Florida Ecosystems
Hapeman C, Harman-Fetcho J, Smith R, McConnell L, Potter T, Schaffer B, Curry R, Rice C, Bialek K, Sadeghi A, Sefton K. Agrochemical Fate in South Florida Ecosystems
Significant declines in ecosystem health of the Biscayne and Florida Bays have been reported in the past decade and include die-off of sea grass beds, declines in sponge, coral and shellfish populations and development of noxious algal blooms. In South Florida, nearly 20 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients are used in agricultural production and for mosquito control and landscape management. Previous surface water studies have indicated the presence of endosulfan in Florida Bay and atrazine in Lake Okeechobee. Although measured levels were generally low, some adverse ecological impacts were observed. The goal of the current study is to determine the types, amounts, and rates of agricultural pesticide inputs to South Florida sensitive ecosystems so that agricultural practices can be modified to minimize negative effects.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Hapeman, Cathleen; Harman-Fetcho, Jennifer; Smith, Ramona; McConnell, Laura; Potter, Tom; Schaffer, Bruce; Curry, Richard; Rice, Clifford; Bialek, Krystyna; Sadeghi, Ali; Sefton, Kerry
- Units
- BISC , EVER , SFCN
- Keywords
- Adam's Key, Biscayne Bay, Contaminated Water, everglades, Fertilizer, Pesticides, polluted water