Neonics impact aquatic ecosystems

Gray Merriam | Jul 19, 2017

Neonics are pesticides that are coated onto many seeds sown on Ontario farms. During sowing, a lot of the neonics gets into the atmosphere as dust and a lot more gets into the soil. Some that gets into the soil is carried down into the groundwater and out into streams by rainwater.

Neonicotinoids (neonics) have been shown by UK and US research to affect much more than just honey bees. In addition, the "facts" in commonly circulated 'fact sheets', such as for imidacloprid, stretch some points to make the neonics seem harmless. One fact sheet states that imidacloprid quickly breaks down in soil and water but the actual number of days for its breakdown in soils varies from 28¬–1250 days. In November 2016, Health Canada proposed a ban on imidacloprid.

There are questions about the actual benefits of neonics. At least three studies cast doubt on the utility and monetary benefits of neonics. One experiment compared soybean yield from neonic-coated soybeans to yield without the neonics. They found no increase in yield due to the neonics over two years of study.

Imidacloprid dissolves in water and is toxic to aquatic invertebrates at 10–100 nanograms per litre (100 nanograms =0.0000001 grams). US EPA found that the concentration of this neonic in many streams regularly exceeds toxic levels for aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans. Mayflies are the most sensitive. The EPA stated that impacts have cascading effects on food webs and on ecosystem functions.

So the arguments about neonics are not just about honey bees. Aquatic systems also are affected. And apparently, the financial benefits to farmers that the big chemical corporations advertize may not be there. And the ecological impacts are much greater than they say.

More information:
ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp515

www.panna.org/blog/neonic-harms-go-well-beyond-bees