Herbicide threat to coral reefs

As if threats from coral bleaching and acidifying oceans were not enough to coral reefs, Australian scientists have identified one more threatening the Great Barrier Reef: herbicides.

A four-year study by Stephen Lewis and coauthors has found herbicide residues in rivers and creeks and in marine waters within the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

From 2005 to 2008, the scientists analysed 600 water samples for pesticide concentrations from 76 river and creek sites in three geographical regions (representing 35%) of the Great Barrier Reef catchment area: the Tully