Environmental Protection Flashcards

What is the risk to pollinators such as bees from certain agrichemical applications?

Answer: Insecticides — particularly those applied to flowering crops — can kill or disorient pollinators that visit treated plants

Insecticides applied to or near flowering plants can be toxic to bees and other pollinators that forage on treated flowers or collect residue-laden pollen. This is a significant environmental and economic concern.

What precaution should be taken to protect bees when applying insecticides to flowering crops?

Answer: Apply in the late evening or early morning when bees are not foraging, and notify local beekeepers in advance

Applying when bees are not actively foraging (early morning or late evening) and notifying local beekeepers allows them to manage their hives reduces the risk of bee mortality.

What is 'runoff' in the context of agrichemical contamination?

Answer: The flow of water across treated soil or plant surfaces carrying dissolved or suspended agrichemical into waterways

Runoff occurs when rainfall or irrigation causes water to flow across treated surfaces, carrying agrichemicals into drains, streams, and other waterways.

What should an agrichemical applicator do if they accidentally spray near a waterway and are concerned about contamination?

Answer: Stop application, record the incident, contact the regional council, and follow emergency response procedures on the label

An accidental near-waterway spray incident must be treated as an environmental emergency. Reporting to the regional council and following emergency response procedures on the label are required.

What is 'bioaccumulation' and why is it relevant to agrichemical selection?

Answer: The build-up of persistent chemicals in the tissue of organisms at increasing concentrations up the food chain

Bioaccumulation refers to the increasing concentration of persistent chemicals in the tissues of organisms at each level of the food chain (biomagnification). Products with high bioaccumulation potential can harm wildlife far removed from the application site.

What environmental protection requirement must a spray operator comply with when operating near organic farms?

Answer: Observe any required buffer zones and obtain the neighbour's agreement where drift could contaminate certified organic production

Spray drift onto certified organic land can lead to loss of certification and legal liability. Buffer zones and consultation with organic neighbours are essential to prevent contamination.