Horrific Coho Salmon Dieoffs In WA Linked To Automotive Toxins In Stormwater

[hatrack]

Silvery coho salmon are as much a part of Washington state as its flag. The fish has a sacred place in the diets and rituals of the state’s indigenous peoples, beckons to tourists who flock to watch its migration runs, and helps to sustain a multimillion-dollar Pacific Northwest fishing industry.

So watching the species die in agony is distressing: Adult coho have been seen thrashing in shallow fresh waters, males appear disoriented as they swim, and females are often rolled on their backs, their insides still plump with tiny red eggs that will never hatch. “Coho have not done well where a lot of human activity impacts their habitat,” said Nat Scholz, a research zoologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That’s to say the least.

A recent study traced a major coho salmon die-off to contaminants from roads and automobiles — brake dust, oil, fuel, chemical fluids — that hitch a ride on storm water and flow into watersheds. The contaminants are so deadly, they kill the salmon within 24 hours.

“Our findings are . . . that contaminants in stormwater runoff from the regional transportation grid likely caused these mortality events. Further, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse historical coho declines without addressing the toxic pollution dimension of freshwater habitats,” said the study, published Wednesday in the journal Ecological Applications.

EDIT

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/10/20/we-have-to-act-now-how-car-pollution-is-causing-the-rapid-die-off-of-this-salmon/?utm_term=.e75c3a4b2e98

[democratisphere]

1. We are the most destructive and self-destructive creatures to ever exist

and at this rate we won't exist for long.

[defacto7]

3. We resemble a virus more than we do a creature.

Animals give and take in a symbiotic relationship with their environment. Humans take until they kill their host. That's closer to the definition of a virus.

[democratisphere]

4. Viruses are often curable. We are more like a stage 4 cancer that is incurable.

[Canoe52]

6. And how does a organism get rid of a virus?

It gets a fever, temperature goes up 4-5 degrees, enough so the virus is killed off.
Mother Earth is just trying to shake off a bad virus.

[defacto7]

8. I agree.

And the earth will dismiss our existance and restore itself as if we had never existed. Contrary to the whims of human nature, we are impermanent and will be one of the shorter lived, even failed organisms that has lived on this special planet.

[Botany]

2. This is why we need our forests, marshes, and meadows in order to filter our waters ....

.... before they reach the streams and rivers. We also need less hard surfaces
in order to slow down storm run off.

[Stargazer99]

5. You are correct in your analysis-but do you think the idiot cons/Repubs

care about anything but profit? There are things more valuable than profit but the stupidity and self-deception will eventually kill this country. And presently the Cook company that grows farmed fish has been allowed to put a net in the Straits of Juan Def. Kiss your salmon good by. Remember the fish escape from the their nets recently? A sure that will never happen again
I don't understand why ALL the native tribes in Washington don't get together and sue the hell out of the Cook company. There are states that will not allow fish farms, Alaska being one..for a damn good reason. Again kiss your salmon good by at the alter of greed.
More forest land is a given for cleaner water...I'll be some damn business is making sure will be deforested as it means more profit.
What is wrong with this country? Lack of education of how things work? Just don't give a damn until it impacts them personally?Many natives by treaty have a right to salmon...is this a ploy to mix the farmed fish with the wild and screw Native Americans?

[cilla4progress]

7. Although the writing is on the wall

For us as a species and this dear sacred planet and all its inhabitants - plant and animal - I am going to continue to do everything I can to protect and comfort it as it goes down. Sort of like caring for my aged, declining dog.

And feel gratitude every day for the joy and beauty it has given me.

[defacto7]

9. I share your vision... completely.

Edit: although I think the earth is more resiliant than we see and will restore itself... once we're gone.

[cilla4progress]

10. I agree and

that gives me some comfort. Too bad for the species we will take down with us. Also sad for our children and youth, who know....

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. My thoughts, for a long time now.

My 2 sons feel the exact same way, to the point they refuse to add to the population, a decision they made while young adults.

[cilla4progress]

12. I wouldnt either if I were in that age

Bracket. I hope our daughter (we had only one child, ourselves) adopts.