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Showing posts with label Environmental News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environmental News. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Green Industry

"Green Industry" typically refers to sectors of the economy that produce goods or services focusing on environmental sustainability and minimising negative environmental impacts. It encompasses various industries, technologies, and practices prioritising resource efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and overall ecological responsibility.

 

Here are some key aspects and components of the Green Industry:

 

Renewable Energy: This includes industries involved in the production and distribution of energy from renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. These energy sources are sustainable because they do not deplete finite resources and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.

 

Energy Efficiency: Industries and technologies focused on improving energy efficiency play a significant role in the Green Industry. This involves developing and implementing technologies, policies, and practices that reduce energy consumption in buildings, transportation, manufacturing processes, and other sectors.

 

Sustainable Agriculture: The Green Industry encompasses practices and technologies promoting sustainable agriculture, such as organic farming, agroecology, permaculture, and precision farming. These approaches prioritise soil health, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and reducing chemical inputs.

 

Waste Management and Recycling: Industries involved in waste management, recycling, and resource recovery contribute to the Green Industry by reducing waste sent to landfills, conserving resources, and minimising pollution. This includes recycling facilities, composting operations, waste-to-energy plants, and companies specialising in remanufacturing and upcycling.

 

Clean Transportation: The Green Industry includes sectors focused on developing and promoting clean transportation solutions, such as electric vehicles (EVs), public transit systems, biking infrastructure, and fuel-efficient vehicles. These initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation sector.

 

Green Building and Construction: Industries involved in green building and construction prioritise energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental sustainability in building design, materials, and practices. This includes using sustainable building materials, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and designing buildings to minimise environmental footprints.

 

Environmental Consulting and Services: The Green Industry also encompasses a range of consulting firms, environmental agencies, and service providers offering expertise in environmental compliance, sustainability assessments, ecological restoration, and environmental remediation.

 

Overall, the Green Industry represents a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices across various sectors of the economy, driven by concerns about climate change, resource depletion, pollution, and environmental degradation.

  

Friday, March 10, 2023

Environmental Issues That Construction Firms Must Address

 

For the last couple of years, it seems like barely a week has gone by without an alarming sign of climate change. There have been extreme weather events, unexpected wintry conditions in California, and the record-breaking heatwave we saw here in the United Kingdom last summer. The government has made pledges that it will take the issue seriously, but there has been a lot of scepticism from leading figures about how much that will actually amount to. Businesses and individuals must also step up and take responsibility.

When it comes to construction, there are a lot of different areas that require focus. So much of the conversation around the construction and property industries over the last couple of years has focused on other issues which, while admittedly important, do not factor in the long-term environmental concerns. For example, there was a huge amount written about the shortages in construction supplies and the shortage of skilled workers in that industry. Meanwhile, the property market ballooned during the pandemic years and has since come crashing back to earth. As we look forward to the rest of the year and the years beyond, here are the major environmental issues that construction firms must address when working.

environmental impact of construction projects

1. Air Pollution

Air pollution has been pushed to the forefront in recent months. For example, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has made cleaner air a considerable part of his mission. It is important to remember that during the construction process, there are a lot of opportunities for exhaust fumes and other noxious vapours to be emitted for extended periods.

Construction firms must be aware of the air pollution they are causing and look for ways to mitigate it or rule it out entirely. A simple example of how they can cut down on exhaust created is by using electric vans and other vehicles to transport materials to the work site.

2. Non-Recycled And Non-Recyclable Materials

This is an area that every business needs to focus on, regardless of sector, but it can be particularly relevant here. People looking to build their properties from scratch may insist on using entirely new materials, but there is no need for such a definitive approach. Take something as simple as a wooden deck, for example. Recycled materials are just as hardy, just as effective, and just as easy to style.

It is the contractors' responsibility to offer a range of materials to their clients and recommend using recycled materials where they can. This will massively cut down on the amount of waste that the construction industry generates. It is also important to think about using recyclable materials.

construction waste

So much waste from construction projects ends up in landfills. It is vital that the industry considers this issue and tries to avoid using everything from single-use plastics to non-biodegradable materials.

3. Impact On The Local Wildlife

The local wildlife will be affected every time a construction project gets underway. There is such a massive number of different elements and species at play that the idea that a project could be completely free of this issue is a hard one to believe. However, with the right preparation, surveys and consideration, the impact can be minimal. The specifics will vary from project to project depending on the location and the type of wildlife in the area. For example, a project near water must consider everything from fish and frogs to the animals that use the space.

One of the most important species that anyone considering renovating or demolishing a building must think is bats. Bats are a protected species in the UK, and they often make their nests in roofs, lofts, and barns. They are also often found in trees, and a bat survey must be conducted to ensure you are not damaging their habitat.

The first step is to take a preliminary roost assessment. If a roost is found, you will need further surveys about the best way forward. For more information about bat surveys and other wildlife surveys, talk to the team at Arbtech. They can help you to get surveys done quickly and efficiently and advise on how your project can proceed.

4. Noise Pollution

This point may seem a little less grave than some of the others discussed already, but it is a major factor to the local people and wildlife. Sustained noise pollution can be a serious problem, so it is advised that construction companies check with the local council before they begin a project. Work must be restricted to certain times of day, or it may be that the project needs to be moved entirely.

methods for stabilizing soil for construction

5. Using Methods That Cause Erosion And Contamination

As unfortunate as it may be, there are still many ways that construction companies can damage the local environment through carelessness. For example, it is possible for the soil surrounding the worksite to become eroded thanks to the coming and going of heavy vehicles and heavy equipment, not to mention the ongoing disruption of the construction work itself. Soil and water contamination is also a significant risk on many projects and requires constant vigilance from the people working on the site to ensure that it is not happening.

One of the main factors contributing to these harmful scenarios is businesses not investing in newer techniques and new equipment, which are less likely to have a negative impact. Given the challenging market, it is understandable that spending a lot of money is the last thing any firm wants to commit to. However, the environmental impact of any construction project must be kept to a minimum.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

'Green' synthesis of plastics from CO2

By combining a CeO2 catalyst with atmospheric carbon dioxide, researchers from Osaka City University, Tohoku University, and Nippon Steel Corporation have developed an effective catalytic process for the direct synthesis of polycarbonate diols without using dehydrating agents. Their method, published in Green Chemistry, does not rely on toxic chemical feedstock like phosgene and carbon monoxide, making it the world's first high yield "green" reaction system.

(Nanowerk News) Using a CeO2 catalyst, researchers develop an effective catalytic process for the direct synthesis of polycarbonate diols without the need for dehydrating agents. The high yield, high selective process has CO2 blown at atmospheric pressure to evaporate excess water by-product allowing for a catalytic process that can be used with any substrate with a boiling point higher than water.


CeO2 catalyzes the direct polymerization of flow CO2 and diols to provide polycarbonate diols in high yields, which are useful chemicals for polyesters, polyurethanes, and acrylic resins. (Image: Masazumi Tamura)
By combining a CeO2 catalyst with atmospheric carbon dioxide, researchers from Osaka City University, Tohoku University, and Nippon Steel Corporation have developed an effective catalytic process for the direct synthesis of polycarbonate diols without using dehydrating agents. Their method, published in Green Chemistry, does not rely on toxic chemical feedstock like phosgene and carbon monoxide, making it the world’s first high yield “green” reaction system.
There is a worldwide need to reduce carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases, and converting it into a useful chemical compound has attracted much attention in recent years. Various effective catalyst systems have been developed but they rely on toxic chemicals that churn out unmanageable by-products. Processes using substrates that are easily available and safe, with water as the only by-product, have emerged as an alternative. Yet, high levels of water by-product keep these processes from synthesizing enough polycarbonates.
"Most processes use a dehydrating agent to keep water levels low to overcome an equilibrium," said Masazumi Tamura of the Osaka City University, "but some of the issues to address are the high pressure of carbon dioxide needed, the recovery and regeneration of the dehydrating agent, and contamination of by-products generated by its use."
To bypass these issues, the research team developed a catalytic process that does not use a dehydrating agent. By focusing on the difference in boiling points between the chemical product/diol and water, the research team predicted a high carbon fixation yield by blowing in CO2 at atmospheric pressure to evaporate excess water.
“It became clear that among the metal oxide catalysts we used,” stated Keiichi Tomishige of Tohoku University, “CeO2 showed the highest activity.” This simple catalytic reaction system is the first ever to successfully synthesize polycarbonate diols from carbon dioxide and diols at atmospheric pressure. “This process, without the need of dehydrating agents, can chemically convert carbon dioxide using any substrate with a boiling point sufficiently higher than water,” concluded Kenji Nakao of Nippon Steel Corporation, “and can be applied to the synthesis of carbonates, carbamates, and ureas, which are useful additives for lithium-ion batteries and/or raw materials for polymer synthesis.”
Source: Osaka University
https://www.nanowerk.com/

Friday, November 13, 2020

Global Warming will Continue No Matter What We Do Even if humanity stopped emitting greenhouse gases today

"Even if humanity stopped emitting greenhouse gases tomorrow, Earth will warm for centuries to come and oceans will rise by metres, according to a controversial modelling study published Thursday.
Natural drivers of global warming—more heat-trapping clouds, thawing permafrost, and shrinking sea ice—already set in motion by carbon pollution will take on their own momentum, researchers from Norway reported in the Nature journal Scientific Reports."
Why permafrost releases carbon as it thaws.

O. Roger Anderson, a biologist at the Earth Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, explained

why permafrost releases carbon as it thaws.

The ‘active layer’ of soil on top of the permafrost, which may be two to 13 feet deep, thaws each summer and can sustain plant life. This layer releases carbon from the roots of plants that respire out CO2, and from microbes in the soil. Some microbes break down the organic matter into CO2. Others, called archaea, produce methane instead, when conditions are anaerobic—when the soil is saturated with water or no oxygen is available. Methane is 20 to 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide at exacerbating global warming, but it remains in the atmosphere for less time.

As permafrost thaws, the active layer deepens. The microbes become active and plant roots can penetrate further down, resulting in the production of more CO2. The amount of methane generated depends on how saturated the ground is.

Scientists don’t know the relative proportions of carbon dioxide and methane emissions that might result from largescale thawing permafrost, said Anderson, because this has never happened in human history. However, research on the upper layer of the tundra (treeless plains overlying the permafrost) suggests that the average carbon dioxide emissions are about 50 times higher than those of methane.

“And we know that for every 10 degrees Celsius that the soil warms up, the emission of CO2 will double,” said Anderson.

Robert Stonjek

https://phys.org/news/2020-11-greenhouse-gas-emissions-global.html?fbclid=IwAR1lgiveF5pYpbHA1LNBIArUfvw4FSEy4IONRmNvXvx_OEMpDebpY9bwy1k https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2018/01/11/thawing-permafrost-matters/

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Environmental Benefits of Coronavirus

 Coronaviruses are well-known to us. In fact, you are probably an unknown host to millions of them now. Coronaviruses cause various illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe and often deadly respiratory infections. This new strain, COVID-19, is short for coronavirus disease-2019.  This novel coronavirus is responsible for the current global outbreak. Although coronaviruses are well-known, this new strain has no cure or prevention. This fact has jeopardized millions of human beings worldwide, particularly the elderly or immune suppressed.
“The coronavirus outbreak has seen widespread changes in human behaviour, encouraging companies to alter everyday operations by suggesting employees work from home, reducing congestion and enhancing air quality.”
It is possibly too soon to arrive at conclusions concerning the consequences of the new sickness. Still, at present, we see the significant impact the topic has on the mass media and how this is being transmitted into drastic individual decisions that affect the smooth functioning of our society, particularly the economy.

According to Green Connect CEO Kylie Flament, there's been a 25 per cent increase in people wanting to buy fruit and vegetables from her organisation's Lake Heights farm.

She also saw a significant increase in people looking to other environmentally friendly alternatives to cushion the impact of COVID-19 social distancing and self-isolation.

"Coronavirus is causing enormous health, social and economic upheaval, and that shouldn't be underestimated, but there are silver linings and some of these are environmental," she said.
She pointed out that local nurseries have been selling out of plants, especially edible ones, and said she had noticed an increasing demand for people wanting backyard chickens.
"These might have been things at the back of people's minds, and suddenly it's become an urgent priority," she said. "So the silver lining in all this is that people are being pushed to more sustainable living."


Low to no NO2

The NO2 is a noxious gas. It generates from motor vehicles. Thus, it is clear that the recent plummet of this gas was due to the nationwide shutdown of vehicle movement. The fewer vehicles on the road mean low-to-no NO2 in the air. Evidence of the reduction of pollution started in Wuhan and spread over the entire mainland China.

We see reduced production in the Chinese industry, which has resulted in a considerable drop in China's pollution. We also understand that many international conferences, summits or events that concentrate thousands of individuals from different countries are being cancelled or made virtual because of the fear of extending the infection of coronavirus. This is happening in tech, business, science, and other sectors, even museums and Disneyland in several places in Asia. Venice, in the distant past a lovely town of canals, but converted in recent decades into a pathetic unpleasant attraction park with mass tourism of 20-30 million visits per year, is now deathly silent. What a respite for the Venetians! What good news for the ecologists and tourist-haters! This positively affects the reduction of CO2 emission and the whole wave the destruction associated with holiday and professional conference tourism. Possibly not so good for airline companies or travel agencies. It is certainly not very good for the economy in general, but it is fantastic for the environment.

For decades, we have witnessed the struggle between the expanding forces of the economy and the restoring forces of ecology. Conclusions that may be derived from observing this confrontation are that:

1) an ecological/green/sustainable capitalist economy is an oxymoron; that is, capitalism and sustainability are mutually exclusive ideas, and

2) the economy is winning almost all of the hands of the battle down. A prominent example of the failure to arrive at a green solution within the current model of our western-style societies in developed countries is illustrated in global warming conferences: a perfect example of hypocrisy in which climate scientists and many politicians, administrators and people living on the green lobbies behave as a "jet-set" among the highest ratio contaminators. At the same time, they exert their moral authority to demand that people in less privileged groups of our society, such as coal miners, teamsters working on oil pipelines, and mining-dependent workers sacrifice their own economic well-being to fight climate change. One of the latest failed attempts to find solutions came from the COP25 in Madrid of 2019 summit; another one in the long list of fruitless negotiations to try to stop or mitigate the adverse effects of the global warming already knocking on our doors.

The implicit or explicit explanation for the long list of unsuccessful negotiations is always the same: "yes, yes, we see the problem, but... you know, we have the economy to think about, and many people will suffer if we significantly modify any of its parameters, so let us continue to live as usual, even increasing our consumption habits, and we will meet again at next summit to eat in good restaurants, enjoy tourism and take beer with colleagues to try to find a solution". Putting it bluntly, there is no solution, and we are damned to a disaster unless a miracle happens.

Suddenly, much to the surprise of the economic and political gurus, the solution is spontaneously arising in front of our very eyes: a virus. As in H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, a microscopic Earth lifeform has finally proved to reverse the victory in what has so far been a losing war to reduce the excesses of a crazy, self-destructive world. Neither Greenpeace, nor Greta Thunberg, nor any other individual or collective organization have achieved so much in favor of the health of the planet in such a short time. A miracle happened, and, suddenly, all the excuses to avoid a reduction of contamination have been shown to be spurious. In less than two months, worldwide organizations have shown us how it is indeed possible to close museums, shut down whole towns, including such top touristic destinations as Venice, reduce the number of flights, and cancel many of the most important conferences and summits, etc. And this is only the beginning.

When I said in a previous article that we should ban conferences or hugely reduce their numbers, I knew that almost nobody would take this advice seriously, but it now comes as a complete surprise that I am now witnessing the very thing I was recommending. Suddenly, we realize that all the excuses to avoid the reduction of contamination were just excuses, and that we can perfectly live in a world without conferences, a world of academicians and scientists without beer-drinking with colleagues and feeding the narcissism of some researchers, an expensive luxury that we should not be able to afford in these times of climate crisis.

"Yes, we can", said the slogan of a former US president. Certainly, we can; we can stop the world if necessary and keep the people alive and healthy and happy without an expanding and destructive economic system. But words are not enough to move the world; arguments are not enough in the midst of irrational systems. With beasts like human beings, which are moved by a more terrible and irrational monster such as Money, only fear works, and sickness such as COVID-19 of moderate mortality (not so dangerous so far, it is not as mortal as the Ebola virus although it is more infectious) may be more effective than good arguments in pushing humanity in more sustainable directions.
Thanks https://www.calamitypolitics.com,https://www.illawarramercury.com.au,https://www.rt.com

Sunday, January 5, 2020

How to Treat Drinking Water for Pesticides


Source: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/pesticidesgw.html
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or control pests such as insects, weeds, fungus, bacteria, rodents, fish or any other type of organism that poses a problem. Pesticides are most often applied to farmland, gardens and lawns. Pesticides are also applied to water bodies (for example, rivers, canals or lakes) to control pests such as mosquitoes, weeds or invasive fish species.
Pesticides have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies in both agricultural and urban settings. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974), the U.S. EPA and other federal agencies monitor and regulate drinking water supplies. Many contaminants of drinking water occur at very low concentrations. Whether the contaminants pose health risk depends on how toxic the pesticides are, how much is in the water, and how much exposure occurs on a daily basis.
Pesticide contamination of drinking water is very common, especially in agricultural areas. Accidental or illegal spilling or dumping of pesticides can lead to contamination of drinking water, and even proper application of pesticides can lead to contamination of drinking water through leaching into groundwater or runoff into surface water bodies. Concentrations of pesticides tend to be highest in streams adjacent to agricultural areas.
Pesticides can sometimes first appear in drinking water wells decades after the pesticides were applied or spilled, depending on the chemical properties of the pesticide and the geologic conditions.”
In a study published in 2006 by the U.S. Geological Survey, atrazine (a pesticide banned in the European Union but still widely used in the U.S.) was found 90% of the time in streams in agricultural areas and 70% of the time in streams in urban areas, and it was also frequently detected in groundwater [1]. Because groundwater can move very slowly, pesticides can sometimes first appear in drinking water wells decades after the pesticides were applied or spilt, depending on the chemical properties of the pesticide and the geologic conditions. Because of this, even pesticides that are no longer in use can still contaminate water supplies.

PESTICIDE FACTS

  • Pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects, depending on the quantity and the ways in which a person is exposed.
  • Some of the older, cheaper pesticides can remain in the soil and water for years. They have been banned in developed countries for agricultural use but are still used in many developing countries.
  • There are more than 1,000 pesticides used around the world to ensure food is not damaged or destroyed by pests. Each pesticide has different properties and toxicological effects (and the toxicological effects of multiple pesticides can be greater than the sum of their parts).
When using pesticides that may contaminate water supplies, the risk of contamination may be minimized by 1) using short-lived pesticides that biodegrade easily, 2) using pesticides that tend to stick to soil and not move easily, and 3) avoiding disposal of pesticides where they may contaminate water resources, such as near a well or spring or down a storm sewer.
Interesting fact: The pesticide DDT is so persistent in the environment that it is still found in fish more than 40 years after it was banned in the U.S. in 1972.

Health Effects Associated with Pesticides in Drinking Water

There are many different pesticides, each with a different level of toxicity. The health risks associated with pesticides in drinking water are related to how toxic the compound is, how much is in the water, and how much exposure a human gets to the contaminated water. In large doses, which could come from direct exposure to pesticides, they can cause health problems such as cancer, organ damage, reproductive effects, birth defects, or nervous system damage. In drinking water, concentrations are usually low, but some pesticides are toxic even at very low levels.
“High levels of nitrate from chemical fertilizers in the water supply may indicate possible contamination by pesticides.”
Many pesticides are not regulated as contaminants in drinking water, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for several pesticides. A MCL is the maximum concentration of a contaminant that is legally allowed in public drinking water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The long-term health risks associated with concentrations above the MCL are considered to be unacceptable. The MCLs for individual pesticides are based on their toxicity, with more toxic pesticides having lower MCLs. Their values range from 0.00005 to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L or parts per million). For example, the MCL for atrazine, which is the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water in the U.S., is 0.003 milligrams per litre.
High levels of nitrate from chemical fertilizers in the water supply may indicate possible contamination by pesticides. Because these tests are the expensive and only test for specific compounds, it is best to only test for pesticides that you think may be contaminating your water.

How to Treat Drinking Water for Pesticides

Pesticides can be removed from drinking water by reverse osmosis or granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters. Reverse osmosis works by forcing the water through a membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger ions or molecules, such as ones associated with iron, lead or pesticides. In homes, reverse osmosis systems are usually small systems (called point-of-use systems) located near the kitchen sink.
Reverse osmosis systems are cost-effective, but low-end systems can only produce a few gallons of treated water each day. Significant recent improvements in membrane elements allow for more expensive systems to produce 100 or more gallon per day. The taste of the water may be affected by the removal of the minerals.
Granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters are relatively inexpensive and are simple to use. They remove pesticides and other contaminants that stick to small particles of material such as coal or charcoal. These filters can take the form of point-of-use systems or pitchers manually filled with water. GAC filters must be replaced or regenerated periodically to maintain their effectiveness. 

FACTORS AFFECTING PESTICIDE POLLUTION OF WATER

Drainage: Farmland is often well-drained and natural drainage is often enhanced by land drains. Water from excessive rainfall and irrigation cannot always be held within the soil structure. Therefore, pesticides and residues (also nitrates and phosphates) can be quickly transported to contaminate groundwater and freshwater supplies over a large geographical area.
The pesticide: Individual pesticides have unique properties, and many variable factors (including those below) determine the specific risk in terms of water pollution.
  • active ingredient(s) in the pesticide formulation
  • contaminants that exist as impurities in the active ingredient(s)
  • additives that are mixed with the active ingredient(s) (wetting agents, diluents or solvents, extenders, adhesives, buffers, preservatives, and emulsifiers)
  • degradate that is formed during chemical, microbial, or photochemical degradation of the active ingredient
  • Pesticide half-life: The more stable the pesticide, the longer it takes to break down. This can be measured in terms of its half-life, the longer it takes to break down, the higher its persistence. The half-life is unique to individual products but variable depending on specific environmental and application factors.
An active substance is any chemical, plant extract, pheromone, or microorganism (including viruses), that has an action against ‘pests’ or on plants, or parts of plants or plant products.
Mobility in soil: All pesticides have unique mobility properties, both vertically and horizontally through the soil structure. Residual herbicides applied directly to the soil are designed to bond to the soil structure.
Solubility in water: Many pesticides are soluble in the water out of necessity so that they can be applied with water and be absorbed by the target. The higher the solubility of the pesticide, the higher the risk of leaching. Residual herbicides are generally of lower solubility to aid soil binding but their persistence in the soil can cause other problems.
Microbial activity: Pesticides in the soil are primarily broken down by microbial activity. The greater the microbial activity, the faster the degradation. Loss of pesticide residues can also occur by evaporation and photodecomposition.
Soil temperature: Soil microbial activity and pesticide breakdown is largely linked to soil temperature.

Application rate: The more pesticide that is applied, the longer significant concentrations remain.
Irrigation Management: Irrigation increases the chance that pesticides will migrate to ground water and surface water. Irrigating saturated soils or irrigating at a rate that exceeds the infiltration rate of soil promotes runoff that can carry pesticides with it. Irrigation that promotes the frequent downward movement of water beyond the root zone of plants also promotes the leaching of substances including pesticides to ground water. This is of particular concern in areas where frequent irrigation is necessary because of coarse-textured soils. Proper irrigation management is critical to minimize the risk of pesticides infiltrating ground water.




How to Prevent Water Contamination


There are a variety of common management practices that provide multiple benefits.

Crop and Soil Management Strategies

  • tractor pulling a sprayer through planted field
    Crop rotation keeps pests off-balance, especially those that prefer a particular crop with its associated cultural practices.
  • Cover crops provide crop residues, which enhance soil organic matter.
  • Careful crop variety selection ensures that the crop is well-adapted to local conditions and grower needs,
    and often provides valuable disease or insect resistance, or tolerance to pesticides that will be used to control pests.
  • Proper seedbed preparation and planting allows the crop to emerge quickly, potentially reducing early-season disease and insect damage and weed competition.
  • Proper drainage and irrigation management promotes optimum plant growth, inhibits various root diseases, and reduces runoff.
  • Proper equipment use avoids soil compaction, which can slow crop growth and promote runoff.

Conservation Buffers

aerial view of conservation buffers
Conservation buffers are areas designed to intercept and trap chemicals before they reach surface water. Often native grasses are planted alone or in combination with shrubs and trees along field borders between the crop and a waterway. Buffers trap pesticides, bacteria, fertilizers, and soil sediment, reducing the quantity of potential contaminants that move off the site. Buffers are one of the best management tools a landowner can install, as they offer multiple benefits, and often require little maintenance.

Choose these sites for more information on conservation buffers:
  • Conservation Buffers – Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways, National Agroforestry Center, USDA
  • Conservation buffers can improve water quality, University Extension, Iowa State University
  • Use conservation buffers to make dollars and sense, University Extension, Iowa State University
  • Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
For more on buffers, view or download The Value of Buffers For Pesticide Stewardship and Much More

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

researcher examining grass on edge of water
An IPM program combines the best techniques to prevent pests and to keep them below economically damaging threshold levels and ensure that pesticides are used appropriately. If a pesticide is prone to reach surface or groundwater, suitable IPM tactics can reduce or eliminate the risk of surface or groundwater contamination.

The IPM program also facilitates the selection of a pesticide to be delivered precisely on target and at the proper time. Crop scouting, or monitoring, correctly identifies the pest and collects information needed so that applications are made only when needed, and only when the pest is vulnerable, allowing for a more effective pesticide application. Reducing the need for multiple applications of pesticides reduces the chance that pesticides may reach and contaminate water. Visit the PES site Integrated Pest Management.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are conservation practices, or systems of practices, and management measures that control soil loss and reduce water quality degradation caused by nutrients, animal wastes, toxics, and sediment. BMPs can improve the environment while also improving the farmer’s bottom line.
Visit any of these web sites to learn more about best management practices to protect water resources from agricultural pesticides:

Selecting Appropriate Pesticides

Protecting water from contamination requires planning and records. Past pest scouting or monitoring records, along with past pesticide application records, help you select the best controls. Selecting the proper pesticide for the crop, the pest, and the site is important. When a site has groundwater near the surface and the soil is permeable, then the leaching potential of the pesticide must be considered during pesticide selection.
Applicators should read the label to find warnings that tell them that the pesticide may leach. Here is an example of language to look for in the Environmental Hazards section of the label: “This product has properties and characteristics associated with chemicals detected in groundwater. The use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination.” There may also be a “Groundwater Advisory” statement on the label. Many new labels have this statement, which is a critical aid in selecting the right pesticide for the job.

Proper Pesticide Mixing and Loading Procedures

man mixing pesticides over a concrete pad
More pesticide spills occur while the pesticide is being measured and mixed than during any other part of a pesticide application. Locate the mixing/loading site away from wells, streams and lakes. Maintain a distance of at least 100 feet (check the pesticide label for more specifics) between the mixing and loading site and wellheads, ditches, streams or other water sources.

Measure, mix and load over an impervious surface, such as a concrete pad, which prevents spills from soaking into the ground. Measure the product carefully to avoid spills. Using a closed transfer system to mix and load pesticides also helps reduce the risk of spills. If you are not using a pad, move the mixing and loading steps from place to place to avoid chemical buildup from accidental splashes or spills (see Pesticide Spills).
Be prepared for spills and have a “spill kit” readily available near the mixing loading area. Never leave a tank while it is being filled, and pay constant attention during filling to prevent overfilling and spilling of the pesticide on the ground. Be disciplined and patient.
Applicators should read the label carefully to find warnings regarding mixing/loading pesticides. Here is a statement found in the Environmental Hazards section of many labels: “Most cases of groundwater contamination involving this pesticide have been associated with mixing/loading and disposal sites. Caution should be exercised when handling this product at such sites to prevent contamination of groundwater supplies. Use of closed systems for mixing or transferring this pesticide will reduce the probability of spills. Placement of the mixing/loading equipment on an impervious pad to contain spills will help prevent groundwater contamination.”

Prevent Pesticide Backflow

person inserting anti-siphon device
Backflow occurs when a water supply loses pressure and starts flowing backwards toward the water source. The backward flow creates a siphon that draws some of the contents of the sprayer tank back toward the water source if a pipe or hose is below the water surface in the tank. If backflow occurs, the water supply pipes, pumps, and well become contaminated by pesticides from the tank. An anti-siphon device (check valve) prevents backflow and the resulting contamination from occurring. Proper anti-siphoning techniques include the use of a reduced pressure zone (anti-siphon) device or an air gap between the filler pipe and the tank.

Proper Application Procedures

Proper application of pesticides starts with calibration. Calibrating application equipment is the only way to be sure that the proper amount of pesticide is applied. Application of excess pesticide increases the risk of contaminating water by overloading the protective mechanisms of degradation and adsorption, making them ineffective. Over application is not only risky for the environment but is a violation of label directions and the law.
Knowledge of the application site is very important for preventing water contamination. You should know where wells are located, the depth to groundwater, and where surface water is located before making an application. After identifying these features, make plans to protect them. Decide in advance where to turn the application equipment on and off. Using buffer zones and setback areas creates safety zones by keeping applications away from sensitive areas, particularly surface waters. Pesticide applications should hit the target precisely. Applications that move off-target can contribute to water contamination.
Preventing drift is another important task of the applicator. Drifting pesticide can contaminate water and cause other problems. Monitoring the weather conditions, setting the boom height as close as possible to the target, and selecting the proper nozzle type are important activities that help reduce the chance of pesticide drift contaminating surface waters.

Irrigation Management

Irrigation increases the chance that pesticides will
migrate to groundwater and surface water. Irrigating saturated soils or irrigating at a rate that exceeds the infiltration rate of soil promotes runoff that can carry pesticides with it. Irrigation that promotes the frequent downward movement of water beyond the root zone of plants also promotes the leaching of substances, including pesticides, to groundwater. This is of particular concern in areas where frequent irrigation is necessary because of coarse-textured soils. Proper irrigation management is critical to minimize the risk of pesticides moving to groundwater.

Proper Pesticide Storage

front yard of home being irrigated with sprinkler system
Proper storage of pesticides is also important to prevent water contamination. Locking pesticides inside a fire-resistant, spill-proof facility is an excellent way to prevent accidental pesticide spills. Proper storage is very cheap compared with the expensive consequences of accidents, spills, or fires. Be prepared for spills, and have a “spill kit” readily available inside or near the storage area.


Proper Disposal of Pesticides and Containers

Pesticide containers that have not been triple rinsed pose a risk to water resources. Contaminated containers left outside, and exposed to rain, can leak pesticides into the environment. Triple rinsing pesticide containers prior to disposal remove pesticide residues. Water collected from cleaning and rinsing application equipment should be applied to the original site of the application. Be careful not to exceed label rates. Re-using this pesticide-containing water is an environmentally responsible way to dispose of this material. Collect rinsed containers in a dry, secure, and protected area for disposal. Dispose of the rinsed containers following label directions and local ordinances. Use pesticide container recycling programs where available.
Compiled by Ron Gardner
References
https://www2.usgs.gov/envirohealth/headlines/2015-08-11-understanding_arsenic.html
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/pesticides-groundwater?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/pesticides
http://www.filterwater.com/t-pesticides.aspx
https://pesticidestewardship.org/water/prevent-contamination/