There has been, in the last several decades a tendency to view natural systems, like our beautiful Rondeau Bay in terms of utility. Often, feelings of apathy or futility follow in the wake of environmental damage. It's time for us to take positive steps toward protecting the environment within which we live.
Rondeau Bay is "not" a thing, it is a process and we are part of that process. The changes that we see and experience in our environment, are in part the responsibility of each one of us. Every person with a toilet who lives along the shoreline, and every farmer who's field drains into the bay has a direct effect on our lives.
We've all seen the accelerated growth of plant species in Rondeau Bay. This is a normal and natural response to the increased nitrate and phosphate loads that we add to the bay whenever we flush our toilets or dump manure on our surrounding fields. Adding weedkillers only serves to degrade our water quality further. Some individuals may receive a short term benefit, but we all suffer long term loss.
There are alternatives!
In the short term, cutting and removing a top layer of aquatic plants has the effect of removing excessive nitrates/phosphates, without degrading water quality. There is already a market for this rich source of organic fertilizer. There may even be the potential of a small industry, although environmental impact studies should be done.
In the long term, we must look to the causes of the increased growth. Eurasian Milfoil is one problem but only a symptomatic one. The root causes of these problems are in two categories:
One's we can't do anything about (ie. low water levels, invasive species),
and those we can address (septic leachate, field runoff etc...).
The facts are is that:
Erieau needs a sewage treatment system (the #1 cause of Erieau's inshore weeds)
· v Eutrophication has been accelerated by nitrate/phosphate loading, from surrounding Agri-Business runoff and Residential leachate.
· The dumping of phytotoxins(weedkillers) creates a control cycle that must be constantly maintained.
· Failure to complete the control cycle results in a rebound effect "...the weeds came right back with a vengeance"
· With the Government of Ontario already involved people need to speak out for what they believe (Democracy)
v When sediments, sewage, or fertilizers are introduced into a waterway, the concentration of available nutrients in that system will increase, resulting in a condition known as "Eutrophication".
The most serious problems of eutrophication result from the massive growth of single-celled algae. In particular blue-green algae can produce algal toxins, killing animals and poisoning freshwater reservoir supplies. In addition, aquatic plants influence the oxygen and pH of their surroundings. The greater the growth of plants, the greater the amplitude of changes in dissolved oxygen and pH. Fluctuations in dissolved oxygen and pH can upset metabolic processes in organisms, which can result in disease or death. Fish, for example, can be asphyxiated by fluctuations in dissolved oxygen.
The following is a small compilation of the warnings and hazards about the Herbicide, REWARD. These warnings come from the Data sheet produced by the manufacturer, (Syngenta), the United States EPA and the International Program on Chemical Safety.
A Reward for Whom?
Diquat Dibromide (aka REWARD)
Diquat dibromide [6,7-dihydrodipyrido(1,2-a:2',1'-c)pyrazinediium dibromide] is a non-selective contact herbicide, desiccant, and plant growth regulator
A contact herbicide, chemically related to paraquat marketed by Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc
It is a dark brown, odorless liquid, which is highly reactive with alumnium(produces hydrogen gas)
It has a soil half-life of ~1000 days but won't be taken up by plants, benthic species are not included in the data sheet.
"This material is toxic to fish and wildlife." (1)
"Target Organs are the eyes and kidneys" (1)
"Diquat has caused some fatalities following suicidal ingestion.
Occasional accidental fatalities have followed ingestion of decanted
diquat" (2)
" It must be stressed that treatment of persons with diquat poisoning
should be instituted as early as possible. The likelihood of recovery
from a potentially fatal dose is greatest when therapy begins within
5-6 h of poisoning." (2)
"The use of water for animal consumption, spraying, irrigation or domestic purposes within 14 days after treatment is prohibited" (3)
Since the plants are normally not removed from the waterbody, herbicide treatment results in the release of
nutrients into the aquatic environment when the plants decompose. These nutrients in turn
serve as food for next year's crop and may also contribute to the development of severe
algal "blooms". (5)
Secondary effects:
Depletion of dissolved O2 in water due to plant decay (2)
Destruction of marsh habitat,
· Wild Celery
· Stonewort
· Water Stargrass
· Bushy Pondweed
· Cattails
· etc...
The uptake of Ethylene Dibromide EDB a carcinogen (4)
(Syngenta has not been forthcoming in its release of specific information regarding concentrations, relying instead on outdated reports from their corporate partners Chevron(Texaco))
(1) Material Data Safety Sheet, Syngenta Crop Protection Inc.
http://www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com/pdf/msds/03_25071.pdf
(2) IPCS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY
Health and Safety Guide No. 52) WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data, Diquat : health and safety guide.
(Health and safety guide ; no. 52) 1. Diquat - standards I. Series
ISBN 92 4 151052 8 (NLM Classification: WA 240)
ISSN 0259-7268
http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg052.htm#SubSectionNumber:3.2.1
(3), (4) December 13 2001 MEMO, tolerance Reassessment of Diquat Dibromide
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/diquat/Product%20Chemistry%2012-13-01%20.PDF
(5) Permits for Aquatic Plant Control , Applicant Information Guide
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/3745e.pdf
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