Pesticide concentrations in frog tissue and wetland habitats in alandscape dominated by agriculture

Science of the Total Environment
By: , and 

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Abstract

Habitat loss and exposure to pesticides are likely primary factors contributing to amphibian decline in agricultural landscapes. Conservation efforts have attempted to restore wetlands lost through landscape modifications to reduce contaminant loads in surface waters and providing quality habitat to wildlife. The benefits of this increased wetland area, perhaps especially for amphibians, may be negated if habitat quality is insufficient to support persistent populations. We examined the presence of pesticides and nutrients in water and sediment as indicators of habitat quality and assessed the bioaccumulation of pesticides in the tissue of two native amphibian species Pseudacris maculata (chorus frogs) and Lithobates pipiens (leopard frogs) at six wetlands (3 restored and 3 reference) in Iowa, USA. Restored wetlands are positioned on the landscape to receive subsurface tile drainage water while reference wetlands receive water from overland run-off and shallow groundwater sources. Concentrations of the pesticides frequently detected in water and sediment samples were not different between wetland types. The median concentration of atrazine in surface water was 0.2 μg/L. Reproductive abnormalities in leopard frogs have been observed in other studies at these concentrations. Nutrient concentrations were higher in the restored wetlands but lower than concentrations thought lethal to frogs. Complex mixtures of pesticides including up to 8 fungicides, some previously unreported in tissue, were detected with concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 1500 μg/kg wet weight. No significant differences in pesticide concentrations were observed between species, although concentrations tended to be higher in leopard frogs compared to chorus frogs, possibly because of differences in life histories. Our results provide information on habitat quality in restored wetlands that will assist state and federal agencies, landowners, and resource managers in identifying and implementing conservation and management actions for these and similar wetlands in agriculturally dominated landscapes.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Pesticide concentrations in frog tissue and wetland habitats in alandscape dominated by agriculture
Series title Science of the Total Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.114
Volume 502
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Jersey Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 11 p.
First page 80
Last page 90
Country United States
State Iowa
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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