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Publication Summary

Title

Padden Creek Pesticide Study: Final Report

Month-Year PublishedOctober 2003
Online Availability
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Short Description

Four sites on Bellingham′s Padden Creek were sampled for pesticides six times in 2001 and 2003 to complement water quality efforts in the watershed as part of the Whatcom Watersheds Pledge Program. Concentrations of the 19 detected pesticides were low.

The pesticides were as follows:

  • Fourteen herbicides: dichlobenil, diuron, MCPP, 2,4-D, trichlopyr, pentachlorophenol, prometon, dicamba, simazine, MCPA, lenacil, terbuthylazine, atrazine, and bromoxynil
  • Two herbicide breakdown products: 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide
  • Two fungicides: chlorothalonil and 4-nitrophenol (fungicide breakdown product)
  • One insecticide: diazinon.

    Diazinon and chlorothalonil exceeded criteria for the protection of aquatic life during the 2001 sampling events.

    (Also see abstract below)
    • Publication Number03-03-048
    Author(s)Seiders, K. and M. Roose
    Print Availability
    Request from the program.
    Number of pages 24 pp. + app (35 total)
    Keywords basin, creek, pesticide, study, water, watershed, Whatcom
    Subject Waterbodies
    Padden Creek
    map of Washington state showing locations of subject waterbodies
    Related Publications TitleRelationship    
    Padden Creek Pesticide Monitoring Program, 2001 Progress Reportsimilar topic
    Quality Assurance Project Plan: Padden Creek Pesticide Monitoring Projectsimilar topic
    Abstract Long Description

    Pesticide levels in water were characterized at four sites in Padden Creek from April to June in 2001 and in 2003. The pesticide monitoring was part of a larger effort by the Department of Ecology, Western Washington University, and the City of Bellingham to evaluate water quality conditions in the Padden Creek basin and to identify areas of concern. The results of this study will be used to educate the public and intensify efforts in preventing pollution from residential applications.

    Nineteen of 111 pesticides were detected among four sample sites during six sampling events, four in 2001 and two in 2003. The 19 pesticides are as follows:

  • Fourteen herbicides: dichlobenil, diuron, MCPP (mecoprop), 2,4-D, trichlopyr, pentachlorophenol, prometon, dicamba, simazine, MCPA, lenacil, terbuthylazine, atrazine, and bromoxynil.
  • Two herbicide breakdown products: 2,3,4,6-tetrachloropheno, and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide.
  • Two fungicides: chlorothalonil (daconil) and 4-nitrophenol, a breakdown product.
  • One insecticide: diazinon. This was detected only during the 2001 sampling events.

    Concentrations of pesticides detected in Padden Creek were low, with most being at or slightly above detection limits. Two compounds, diazinon and chlorothalonil, exceeded criteria for the protection of aquatic life during the 2001 sampling events.

    Link to EIM data for User Study ID KESE0002


    • This page last updated October 8, 2008

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