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Deadly Tire Chemical Solves Salmon Mystery
23 Jun
Summary
- Urban runoff chemicals are killing Coho salmon before they spawn.
- A specific tire particle leachate was identified as the culprit.
- The chemical 6PPD-quinone, a transformation product of tire additive 6PPD, is toxic to salmon.
For years, scientists investigated the baffling deaths of Coho salmon in urban streams around Puget Sound, where the fish died before spawning. Initial investigations ruled out common culprits like temperature and oxygen levels.
Researchers discovered a correlation between fish mortality and urban traffic, pointing to road runoff as the source. Further testing identified tire particle leachate as a likely suspect.
After extensive analysis, scientists pinpointed a specific chemical, 6PPD-quinone, as the toxic agent. This compound is a transformation product of the tire additive 6PPD, which is used to protect tires from ozone degradation.
This finding has broader implications, as tire wear particles are now considered a significant source of pollution, potentially exceeding tailpipe emissions. The increasing popularity of heavier electric vehicles may exacerbate this issue, though regenerative braking offers a potential mitigation strategy.
Solutions being explored include developing less toxic tire chemicals, improving road design, and implementing collection systems for road dust and tire particles. Street sweeping and filtering runoff are also suggested to protect aquatic life.
