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[Parasoul]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/12/03/us/microplastics-tire-rubber-chemicals-killing-coho-salmon-scn/index.html

"Kolodziej said, which has led scientists to suspect for years that runoff from roadways was playing a role."

[RalphH]

This is serious info that has been available for a number years. Various compounds in automotive brakes are also known to have a similar negative effect which was first published around 30 years ago. Some researchers have stated the major decline of coho in urban and sub-urban streams can be traced to this sort of pollution:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/common-tire-chemical-implicated-mysterious-deaths-risk-salmon?fbclid=IwAR2ZCgel6q55HuL4wHkYqRpb8TKfmSCYAfQydXOPsnPiqGUpt-flIGKQ11o

https://www.pugetsoundinstitute.org/2020/11/copper-is-being-phased-out-of-brake-pads-to-reduce-harm-to-salmon-other-creatures/?fbclid=IwAR2Y8sVvO-UZiHANfELKX-V1vYipoTy-XjKQvLuGTxI7PjVfQi-I0jV46UY

Meanwhile some folks fixate on apparent simple solutions.

We need to pressure the automotive industry to develop safe alternatives.

[Knnn]

Thanks to the OP for the heads up.

An interesting study that highlights the problem of non-point source pollutants.  It is easy to point a finger at industry belching smoke into the sky or discharging toxin filled wastewater in rivers, however the general and diffused impact of our modern lives is a lot more difficult to figure out, manage and mitigate.  The quality of storm water run-off from urban areas is one of these challenging issues to get a grip on.  This quinone derivative is just one aspect of a far bigger problem. 

In addition to this specific tire degradation product, there are a whole host of combustion related compounds (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), oils, fuels and miscellaneous vehicle wear and tear chemicals that end up on the road and being washed off into sewers and into streams. This includes zinc from all our galvanized roofing materials and fences.  Creosote, copper chromium and arsenic from preserved wood products.  Copper (as mentioned by Ralph)  but also including chromium and nickel.  Did you know that 1-2% of your tires consists of zinc by weight. All the worn tire ends up on the side of the road or in the aquatic receiving environment, unless intercepted. Then there is good old salt, which can be a highly toxic compound, in the wrong dose at the wrong location. 

Combine all these contaminants and their synergistic effects, its a wonder anything survives.    Bring on electric vehicles and hopefully articles like this will help manufacturers give more though to the life cycle of there products and where they end up, and our poor fish might stand a better chance.

[wildmanyeah]

Thanks to the OP for the heads up.

An interesting study that highlights the problem of non-point source pollutants.  It is easy to point a finger at industry belching smoke into the sky or discharging toxin filled wastewater in rivers, however the general and diffused impact of our modern lives is a lot more difficult to figure out, manage and mitigate.  The quality of storm water run-off from urban areas is one of these challenging issues to get a grip on.  This quinone derivative is just one aspect of a far bigger problem. 

In addition to this specific tire degradation product, there are a whole host of combustion related compounds (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), oils, fuels and miscellaneous vehicle wear and tear chemicals that end up on the road and being washed off into sewers and into streams. This includes zinc from all our galvanized roofing materials and fences.  Creosote, copper chromium and arsenic from preserved wood products.  Copper (as mentioned by Ralph)  but also including chromium and nickel.  Did you know that 1-2% of your tires consists of zinc by weight. All the worn tire ends up on the side of the road or in the aquatic receiving environment, unless intercepted. Then there is good old salt, which can be a highly toxic compound, in the wrong dose at the wrong location. 

Combine all these contaminants and their synergistic effects, its a wonder anything survives.    Bring on electric vehicles and hopefully articles like this will help manufacturers give more though to the life cycle of there products and where they end up, and our poor fish might stand a better chance.

Well said

[Dave]

You're right wmy, sometimes its a pleasure to read posts 

[CohoJake]

Combine all these contaminants and their synergistic effects, its a wonder anything survives.    Bring on electric vehicles and hopefully articles like this will help manufacturers give more though to the life cycle of there products and where they end up, and our poor fish might stand a better chance.

Electric Vehicles have plusses and minuses, but tire wear is one minus - they are heavier vehicles on average so the tire and road wear is worse.  Would be good to get Mr. Musk's attention to this issue - if he could be 1/10th of the effort into tires that he is putting into batteries, I'm sure they could solve the 6PPD problem in a couple years.

[Parasoul]

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-scientists-mystery-mass-coho-salmon.amp
Some more context from the researchers' side.