Iowa's Waterways: A Hidden Pollution Crisis

Iowa is a major player in the agriculture industry. More than 85% of the state is dedicated to farming. This makes it a prime spot to study how farming affects local waterways. A recent study looked at small, shallow streams across the state. It focused on pollutants that are becoming a global issue. These include microplastics, PFAS, antibiotic resistance genes, and more. The study was the first of its kind in Iowa. It checked for these pollutants in water, riverbed sediment, and fish. The goal was to see how common these pollutants are in areas with lots of farming. The results showed that microplastics were found in all samples. This is a big deal because microplastics can harm wildlife and even end up in the food chain. PFAS, another concerning pollutant, was also found in water and sediment. Every fish tested had PFOS, a type of PFAS. This is worrying because PFAS can build up in the body over time and cause health problems. The study also found antibiotic resistance genes in more than half of the water and sediment samples. This is a problem because it can make infections harder to treat. The most common pharmaceutical found was metformin. This is a medication used to treat diabetes. Its presence in the water shows how human activities can affect the environment. The study also looked at the overall risk of these pollutants. Most sites were above a certain safety threshold, but only one site had a high risk of chemical exposure. For fish, the story is even more concerning. All sites had high levels of microplastics. This can affect the fish's health and even change their behavior. Two sites had extremely high levels of microplastics, which can be dangerous for the fish and the ecosystem. This study shows that even small streams in farming areas can be heavily polluted. It's a wake-up call for Iowa and other agricultural states. More needs to be done to protect waterways from these pollutants. The findings also highlight the need for more research. Understanding the full impact of these pollutants is crucial for protecting both the environment and human health.