Sediment Toxicity and Pyrethroids Orchards / Row - Field Crops

Founded 1997Non-profit organization: agricultural, urban projectsPromote stewardship, Best Management Practices (BMPs) to production agricultureParry Klassen, Executive DirectorJim Markle, Assistant Projects ManagerTamara Taliaferro, Projects Coordinatorwww.curesworks.org

Water & Sediment Monitoring

Coalition monitoring looks into

Water Column PesticidesNutrientsSedimentSalt / ECBoronBacteria / e coliAmbients (temp, DO, etc)

Streambed Sediment ToxicityPesticides (soon)

Any constituent that can affect the quality of waters of the State

Pyrethroid Issue OverviewSediment toxicity in ag drains, streams attributed to pyrethroids Increased regulatory scrutiny expected on uses, potential pathways to water

Pyrethroids part of new dormant orchard season insecticide label changes

Synthetic Pyrethroidsand sediment toxicity

Agricultural Products Common namesBifenthrinCyfluthrinCyhalothrinCypermethrinDeltamethrinFenpropathrinEsfenvaleratePermethrinTralomethrinZeta-cypermethrin

Trade namesCapture; BrigadeBaythroidKarate; WarriorAmmoDecisDanitolAsanaPounce; AmbushScoutFury

Pyrethroid use in California2194 products registered in California 2057 active in 2004. 27 pyrethroid active ingredients12 frequently used in California

Major Crops Uses for Pyrethroids (lbs)

Crops1997199819992000200120022003PISTACHIO11208150251460326806159792287731673LETTUCE, HEAD50013514843089632004326572876329390ALMOND26618261082565324241280362881026809LETTUCE, LEAF22103226681482115564172811804720045ALFALFA26670271552855935799208582012219940COTTON25032281671630214963171921732619332ORANGE9787888865992869684486709133CORN (FORAGE - FODDER)59076554552064181589678468696TOMATO, PROCESSING94071038496606503557847997595PEACH92381004785431087710624102327454CORN, HUMAN CONSUMPTION6924744472926180493470627154WALNUT6539828463084501454438564653TOMATO2991349128032448250726243555NECTARINE6698129181381107011451050

307259344711336189417104421371486737567483

STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL

Pyrethroids under Scrutiny

Product into CA. DPR Reevaluation process August 2006Registrant RequirementsIdentify sources of pyrethroids, processes for reaching sediment Develop mitigation strategy to reduce or eliminate detections in surface waterPotential label changes, loss of uses

Pyrethroid Stewardship Program SponsorsEmphasis: Protect Water Quality

Pyrethroid ProfileVery hydrophobic

Adsorbs tightly to soil particles, organic material

Potential to be carried off in sediment water run-off

Relatively long half-life in sediment

Some Concern of Risk to Non-Targets

Fish, Water Insects, Crayfish/Shrimp

How Did We Get Here?Weston Study Bioavailability Study

71 Samples 42 Rivers, Creeks, Sloughs & Drainage Ditches

Weston concludes pyrethroid alone causing toxicity in the sediment

Adsorption to soils, organics, etc.Parent Koc values - 200,000 -1,000,000 ml/gPrimary driver for Efate behaviorFast & strong adsorption results in zero leachabilityonly short periods of bioavailability after spray entryrapid removal of chemical from the water columnBinding to organic matter is importantother interactions may play a minor partLaboratory analytical issueschemical binds to vessel walls fastchemical detected in water samples may well be bound to suspended sediment or dissolved OM or humic substanceshas reduced bioavailability

Relative Toxicity of Various Pyrethroids

Pyrethroid Biotic - Degradation (lab studies)1Half life for tralomethrin conversion to deltamethrin

Chemical

Aerobic Soil Half Life, days

Anaerobic Soil Half Life, days

Aerobic Aquatic Half Life, days

Bifenthrin

96

Stable

Cyfluthrin

12

34

Cypermethrin

28

55

7.4

Deltamethrin

24

29

80

Es/fenvalerate

39

90

72

Fenpropathrin

22

276

Lambda-cyhalothrin

43

22

Permethrin

40

197

Tralomethrin

3.31

5.01

Water Body Degradation/Uptake Processes Uptake & metabolism in plants and aufwuchsPlant interaction with surface layers?JJJJJJMicrobial degradation of chemical in sediment pore water Microbial degradation of chemical in water phaseBiological uptake/ concentration of chemical in biotaMetabolism/excretion/depuration FROM biotaPhotolysis in surface layerAdsorption/uptake/ metabolism by sediment dwelling & epi-benthic biota via pore waterpHHydrolysis in water column

Pyrethroid ProfileHow Does it Get Into the Water?

Transport Mechanism

Sediment into waterways

Irrigation

Storm Water Runoff

Pyrethroid ProfileHow Does it Get Into the Water?

Spray Drift into Waterways

Crops near water sprayed

Aerial Application over water

Pyrethroid Stewardship FocusIrrigation runoffMinimize or eliminate sediment transport

Drift managementSet back / buffer between sensitive areas and field

Farm Site BMPsWhich Approach is Best?Irrigation drainage management **

Storm water drainage management Three General Approaches

Manage runoff (containment, recirculation, etc)

Manage pesticide applications prior to drainage periods

Treat drainage/ runoff

Approaches for Cotton BMPsThe ToolboxPesticidesApplication BMPsLower label ratesMix and load properlyCalibrate equipmentNew sprayer technology

Farm Site BMPs Buffer zones to sensitive sitesGrassed drainage waterwaysVegetative filter stripsDrainage management

Manage Pesticide Applications Managing Drift from Ground / Aerial Applications Most drift comes from outside rows near sensitive areas

Watch wind speed directionLeave adequate buffer zone

Aerial Application Drift Management: Pilot needs to know drain / waterway locations

Farm Site BMPs -- Manage RunoffSediment Basins

Basins for water & sediment run-off

Requires modification of drainage system to protect surface water

Farm Site BMPs -- Manage RunoffIrrigation management Irrigation schedulingMinimize runoff

PAM in irrigation waterMinimize sediment

Farm Site BMPs -- Manage RunoffTailwater Return Systems

Recirculate drain water back into irrigation system

Cadillac system but costly Can operate with low horsepower pumps

In salty areas, can cause build up of salts

Water savings

Treat Drainage Water Vegetative Ditches

Allow grass in drainage ditches

-- Circulate drain water through vegetated ditches or field areas

West Stanislaus County -- BMP effectiveness research -- Alfalfa and field crops

Planted: December 2005Photo: Feb. 2006

Photo: July 2006

Vegetated Ditches

Some reduction in Lorsban concentrations (34%). Still needs more fine tuningHas management challengesPlanting MowingAdequate flow

Cost of not succeeding

Potential for individuals to be required to file Report of Waste Discharge with Water Board

Water Board dictates Waste Discharge Requirements

On farm testing of discharges to ensure compliance

Coalition spending +$40,000 per site annually for sampling, reporting

Lets dont go there!

Enormous Task At Hand Identify and promote practices that reduce farm runoff in riversOrchard runoff from dormant spraysAlmonds, Peaches, Plums/PrunesIrrigation runoff carrying pesticides/nutrientsRow, field crops (alfalfa, tomatoes, cotton)OrchardsPromote adoption by growers /PCAs

Parry KlassenExecutive Director559-288-8125pklassen@unwiredbb.com

"Education For Environmental Responsibility"