Pesticide residues in the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of the world’s most iconic World Heritage-listed ecosystems but is currently under threat from a range of environmental insults including climate change and pollution. Recent research has shown that herbicides from agricultural runoff have been found in the GBR lagoon at concentrations capable of harming keystone marine plants. The agricultural sector and state and national governments have responded by encouraging the implementation of improved management practices across the GBR catchment area.