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Pesticide spraying near streams to expand under Congressional bill

A bill allowing pesticide manufacturers and users to avoid the Clean Water Act... more

JanforGore
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8 months ago
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Insecticides from genetically modified corn polluting rivers across the United States

Stream ecosystems are tightly linked to agricultural fields and should be considered when adopting new agricultural technologies

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/cioe-ifg092410.php

In a paper published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cary Institute aquatic ecologist Dr. Emma Rosi-Marshall and colleagues report that streams throughout the Midwestern Corn Belt are receiving insecticidal proteins that originate from adjacent genetically modified crops. The protein enters streams through runoff and when corn leaves, stalks, and plant parts are washed into stream channels.

Genetically-modified plants are a mainstay of large-scale agriculture in the American Midwest, where corn is a dominant crop. In 2009, more than 85% of U.S. corn crops were genetically modified to repel pests and/or resist herbicide exposure. Corn engineered to release an insecticide that wards off the European corn borer, commonly referred to as Bt corn, comprised 63% of crops. The tissue of these plants has been modified to express insecticidal proteins, one of which is commonly known as Cry1Ab.

Following an assessment of 217 stream sites in Indiana, the paper's authors found dissolved Cry1Ab proteins from Bt corn present in stream water at nearly a quarter of the sites, including headwater streams. Eighty-six percent of the sampled sites contained corn leaves, husks, stalks, or cobs in their channels; at 13% of these sites corn byproducts contained detectable Cry1Ab proteins. The study was conducted six months after crop harvest, indicating that the insecticidal proteins in crop byproducts can persist in the landscape.

Using these data, U.S. Department of Agriculture land cover data, and GIS modeling, the authors found that all of the stream sites with detectable Cry1Ab insecticidal proteins were located within 500 meters of a corn field. Furthermore, given current agricultural land use patterns, 91% percent of the streams and rivers throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana —some 159,000 miles of waterways—are also located within 500 meters of corn fields.

Rosi-Marshall comments, "Our research adds to the growing body of evidence that corn crop byproducts can be dispersed throughout a stream network, and that the compounds associated with genetically-modified crops, such as insecticidal proteins, can enter nearby water bodies."

After corn crops are harvested, a common agricultural practice is to leave discarded plant material on the fields. This "no-till" form of agriculture minimizes soil erosion, but it also sets the stage for corn byproducts to enter nearby stream channels.

Rosi-Marshall concludes, "The tight linkage between corn fields and streams warrants further research into how corn byproducts, including Cr1Ab insecticidal proteins, potentially impact non-target ecosystems, such as streams and wetlands." These corn byproducts may alter the health of freshwaters. Ultimately, streams that originate in the Corn Belt drain into the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.Stream ecosystems are tightly linked to agricultural fields and should be considered... more

JanforGore
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1 year ago
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Federal Government Scrutinizes Amish Farming

With simplicity as their credo, Amish farmers consume so little that some might... more

ibrake4rappers13
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1 year ago
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20 comments

Why Factory Farms May Finally Be Held Responsible for Their Polluting Waste

In a groundbreaking legal settlement, the EPA has agreed to identify and investigate... more

EthicalVegan
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1 year ago
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59 comments

The fight to stop sulfide mines in Upper Peninsula continues: Rally at Michigan State Capitol to protest raid at sacred Eagle Rock

Ojibwa Treaty Rights trampled once again - by state of Michigan Kennecott Minerals... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Drew Nelson song video: Treaty Rights Rally at Michigan Capitol to protest police raid, Kennecott sulfide mining

Eagle Rock Video Drew Nelson's Song: Over 100 attended June 3 rally at the... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Indian Country Today: Kennecott Minerals orders massive police raid, arresting Ojibwa at sacred Eagle Rock

Indian Country Today newspaper story: Raid at Eagle Rock Two campers arrested, camp... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Indian Country Today: Before Kennecott Minerals Police Raid at sacred Eagle Rock: KBIC Tribal Council backs campers

Indian Country Today newspaper story just before large police raid on sacred Eagle... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Indian Country Today newspaper: Defending Sacred Eagle Rock

Defending Sacred Eagle Rock with numerous photos is lead national story in this... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Michigan American Indian Standoff: Tribal camp at base of Sacred Eagle Rock to stop Kennecott acid mine

American Indians and non-natives are encouraged to visit the northern Michigan... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Kennecott Minerals jails 58-year-old mine opponent during daily walk at Sacred Eagle Rock; Sparks Native American standoff

When officials with the Eagle Mine Project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula arrested... more

Yoopernewsman
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1 year ago
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Hot Updates: ShareThis is now more Social with ShareThis Stream

ShareThis the No.1 prefered social sharing tool is came out with lots of new... more

tobrother
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1 year ago
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Sane Forest Management is Possible

Government, timber industry, and conservation representatives have reached broad... more

Progresshiv
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2 years ago
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GoGirl

When your on the run....... A perfect stocking stuffer for active women, GoGirl... more

remanns
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2 years ago
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1 comment

A Stream of Water Goes A Long Way

From the rain that falls out of the clouds, upon the ground , into the stream, out of... more

Rickharmon25
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2 years ago
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First russian starcraft television.

Articles, vods and live streams about starcraft computer game.

Freeman_Cannon
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2 years ago
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First russian starcraft television

Everyday vods and live streams in russian language.

pedrovich
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2 years ago
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Diesel Dope?? NO THANKS!!!

On May 14, 2008, an anonymous caller informed the Department of Fish and Game that he... more

covelogibbs
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2 years ago
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11 comments

Build a Japanese Garden

How to Build a Japanese-style Garden to create a tranquil retreat that is green and... more

urlspotter
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3 years ago
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Love Story: Young WI kayakers circle Lake Superior and celebrate their love

Ashland, Wisconsin residents Alissa Weitz, 26, and Brian Castillo, 23, will soon be... more

Yoopernewsman
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3 years ago
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