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Pesticides from Costa Rican banana farms are harming crocs | Chem Service Pesticide Analysis | Greyhound Chromatography

Pesticides from Costa Rican banana farms are harming crocodiles

Crocodile in water image

As in any other ecosystem, the health of the rainforest depends on a delicate balance among its inhabitants. When it comes to the food chain, keystone species are in charge of controlling the population of animals upon which they prey, according to the Rainforest Alliance. Without these keystone species, the balance of life and resources within this ecosystem becomes upset.

One example of a keystone species in the rainforest is the spectacled caiman crocodile, which eats a wide range of animals that include fish, crustaceans and mammals, such as wild pigs. In Costa Rica, the Tortuguero Conservation Area is a nature preserve that provides a safe space for plants and animals to thrive. However, rivers and streams that feed into the preserve may carry pollutants and poisons, including pesticides, that threaten life in the ecosystem.

One team of scientists from Stellenbosch University in South Africa observed that spectacled caiman in the preserve carry high levels of nine pesticides in their bodies, as published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Surrounding banana plantations are the likely culprit.

Research justifies more regulatory infrastructure
According to the authors of the new study, 10 percent of the global banana supply comes from Costa Rica. Because of the importance of this crop to the economy, the use of pesticides in Costa Rica doubled during the past two decades. Currently, the nation ranks second in the world in terms of pesticide use intensity.

To estimate the impact of these trends on spectacled caiman, the researchers collected blood samples from 14 of the reptiles and analyzed them for the presence of 70 types of pesticides. Compared to crocodiles found outside the conservation area, caiman from the Tortuguero carried higher traces of nine pesticides. These substances can easily end up in the Tortuguero preserve as part of the runoff from farms when it rains.

In descending order, these chemical compounds were:


Dieldrin
Permethrin
Mirex
4,4′-DDE 
Alpha-endosulfan
Heptachlor epoxide
Oxychlordane
Heptachlor
Cypermethrin

Seven of these pesticides were actually banned by the 2011 Stockholm Convention. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, dieldrin was an insecticide that was widely used in the U.S. between 1950 and 1974. It was applied to corn, cotton and citrus crops. Eventually, the use of dieldrin was banned in the U.S. because of studies that indicated it had negative effects on the health of humans. Specifically, dieldrin was linked to weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, birth defects, kidney damage and cancer.

The EPA also noted that dieldrin does not break down easily and tends to bioaccumulate up the food chain. This is why dieldrin and various pesticides can be dangerous for spectacled caiman and other keystone species.

"Caiman and other aquatic species have been exposed to pesticides from upstream banana plantations, even in remote areas of a national wilderness area," study author Paul Grant said in a statement. "Banana plantations may be economically important to Costa Rica; however their erosion of aquatic ecosystems highlights the need for a developed regulatory infrastructure and adequate enforcement."

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About the Author

Susan MAssie, Marketing Director Greyhound Chromatography Image

Susan Massie, Sales & Marketing Director, Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals Email: sue@greyhoundchrom.com

Susan Massie is the Sales & Marketing Director for Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals, affectionately known as 'Greyhound' in our scientific community. Greyhound was founded by Susan's husband Paul Massie more than 40 years ago, Susan hasn't been in the business for all of that time but has been involved with Greyhound for over 17 years. Greyhound continues to grow, expanding into new markets and taking on the challenges of our ever changing environment. It's heartwarming to witness the world waking up to the fact that we are damaging our planet on a daily basis. Every action we take has a direct effect on our planet and the world we leave behind for future generations. Susan is passionate about climate change and is happy to work in an industry that can have a direct effect on reducing the impact of our actions on the environment. All of the team at Greyhound take our responsibilities very seriously, the products that we supply are used by the world's leading scientists and chemists as they endeavour to monitor and repair the environment. All is not lost, if we all take responsibility for our actions, from reducing our waste and reusing or recycling our material collateral we can make a difference. The internet is full of useful advice and guidance, Susan is proud to contribute to that wealth of knowledge whenever she can.

Greyhound prides itself on personal service which provides prompt, efficient, cost-effective, safe delivery of all products. Greyhound provides technical advice and distribution of Certified Reference Standards and Materials, Laboratory Consumables, Solvents and Reagents across all scientific disciplines. Greyhound Chromatography offers over 1 Million products from its UK warehouse. The team at Greyhound are proud to support the work of the world's leading scientists and chemists as they challenge the abuse of our planet and try to make a difference to the world we leave behind for our ancestors.

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