University of Minnesota researchers detected concerning levels of neonicotinoid insecticides across Minnesota’s hydrological systems between 2019-2022. The study, published in Science of The Total Environment, analyzed water samples from 15 natural springs and 75 distinct wells spanning 13 Minnesota counties. Researchers measured concentrations of common neonicotinoid compounds including imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis revealed maximum neonicotinoid concentrations reaching 97% detection rates in urban samples and 100% in agricultural zones. These compounds enter the water system through multiple vectors: agricultural seed treatments (primarily on corn and soybeans), urban pest control products, and stormwater runoff. Seasonal variations … Continue reading Insecticides in Minnesota Water Systems: Study Reveals Urban and Rural Neonicotinoid Contamination Across All Zones