Pesticide Threat To Great Barrier Reef Larger Than Previously Thought

PESTICIDE run-offs may be polluting larger areas of the Great Barrier Reef than originally thought.
A series of satellite images obtained by CSIRO scientists have confirmed for the first time that sediment plumes travel to the outer reef, and beyond.

It was originally thought that the plumes, which can contain pesticides, herbicides and other micropollutants from our river systems, affected only the inner Great Barrier Reef Lagoon and the inner reef corals.

However the new images, taken by NASA's MODIS satellite by GeoScience Australia's Alice Springs site between February 9-13, show they are travelling up to 135km offshore.

The images were taken during the heavy rains in far north Queensland, and show floodwaters carrying a larger sediment load than during regular rainfall and river flow. CSIRO scientist Arnold Dekker said the images would change the way scientists analysed reef pollution and that they showed landcare practices needed to be improved in order to save the reef from destruction.

EDIT

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21268303-5006786,00.html

It is insane that we have to get permission and a piece of paper from doctors for a product that will affect only ourselves.
Toxic chemicals that are made to kill and are inadequately tested to begin with are sold to anyone including total idiots. This affects people surrounding the applications and all the exco-system downstream.
Homeowners use 8 times the recommended amount in their yards.