Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007ME155B

Chemical Survey of Creeks and Nearshore Coastal Sediments and Water for the Presence of Current-Use Pesticides

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $11,096 Total Non-Federal Funds: $28,733

Principal Investigators: Lawrence LeBlanc, Brian Perkins

Project Summary: Abstract: The Maine State legislature has implemented controls and mandated monitoring studies following pesticide spraying events to control the browntail moth in Casco Bay, due to concerns raised in 2005 by the Maine Lobstermans Association. A preliminary survey of nearshore sediments and water proximate to land-based applications of pesticides is proposed. In addition, limited sampling of small streams and waterways emptying into Casco Bay is proposed to assess the impact of inputs from homeowner pesticide use. Target analytes include several pyrethroid compounds known to be highly toxic to marine invertebrates and diflubenzuron, the active ingredient historically used for browntail moth control. Multiresidue methods developed by LeBlanc et al. (2004) and You et al. (2006) will be adapted and involve analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sampling sites and times will be chosen through collaboration with personnel from the Maine Board of Pesticide Control (BPC), Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Maine Lobstermans Association (MLA) and the Friends of Casco Bay (FCB).