Rock Creek flows north to south in Washington County, Oregon and is a tributary of the Tualatin River. (Credit: USGS ORWSC)
Partner Publications
Elise Granek (PSU) contributed to the paper “The effects of imidacloprid and polyester microfibers on the larval development of the endangered sunflower star.” This study is the first to examine how pollution affects P. helianthoides larvae. Researchers exposed the larvae to two common pollutants: the insecticide imidacloprid and polyester microfibers, both at levels found in the environment. Researchers found that imidacloprid caused stomach deformities in 10% of larvae and increased early-stage deaths. Interestingly, all exposed larvae grew longer than those in the control group, and those exposed to imidacloprid settled faster. These findings suggest that pollutants could impact the recovery of endangered species and highlight the need for further research on how pesticides and other contaminants affect marine life.
Elise also co-authored "From the ocean to our kitchen table: anthropogenic particles in the edible tissue of U.S. West Coast seafood species.” Elise and other researchers measured microplastic particles (MPs) and anthropogenic particles (APs) in the edible tissue of several fish species, including black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp. They compared contamination levels across different species and between seafood caught directly from vessels and those bought from stores. APs were found in nearly all (180 out of 182) specimens.
In the paper “Wind and Topography Underlie Correlation Between Seasonal Snowpack, Mountain Glaciers, and Late-Summer Streamflow,” Andrew Fountain (PSU) and other researchers explore the role of topography and wind in mediating the streamflow patterns of deglaciating watersheds.
Water News in Oregon
Morrow County plans to connect affected residents to the public water systems. Last year, Umatilla and Morrow County commissioners created a drinking water action plan funded by a $1.7 million federal grant. A new group of Morrow County officials convened to carry out the next phases of these projects. Led by Morrow County Commissioner David Sykes, the Morrow County Clean Water Consortium is a collaboration between the county and the Port of Morrow. Established with $900,000 in funding from the county, the port, and the Columbia River Enterprise Zone, the initiative aims to transition some residents impacted by nitrate contamination from well water to municipal water sources.
Senate Bill 747, sponsored by Sen. Khanh Pham, would require Oregon farms over 200 acres to report their annual fertilizer use to the state agriculture department. The bill aims to track nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute to groundwater contamination and harmful algal blooms. More than 100 people and entities have submitted written testimony and about 75% are opposed to the bill, including representatives of the Oregon Seed Association, the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Forest Industries Council.