Salmon Mortality
Connected to Microplastics
Salmon populations are under threat, and a surprising culprit is emerging: microplastics. A recent study has uncovered a direct link between tire wear particles, their chemical byproducts, and the alarming mortality rates of coho salmon in urban waterways. This issue underscores the urgent need for action to tackle microplastic pollution at its source.
Toxic Transformation: From Tires to Mortality
Every year, billions of tires are produced, and together, they release substantial amounts of microplastics and chemicals into the environment. Among the most widespread tire chemicals is the antioxidant 6PPD, which is added to protect the rubber from degradation. Yet, what starts as a functional ingredient in tires transforms into a highly hazardous compound in the environment: 6PPD-quinone.
The study reveals that 6PPD-quinone is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms, particularly coho salmon. Even at very low concentrations (~0.8 μg/liter), the compound can cause rapid mortality. During storms, when runoff washes large amounts of tire wear particles into nearby waterways, 40–90% of returning salmon in some areas die before they can spawn. This phenomenon, called "Urban Runoff Mortality Syndrome" (URMS), threatens not only fish populations but entire ecosystems.
A Global Issue
The problem of tire wear is not confined to the Pacific Northwest. Tire wear particles and their toxic compounds, such as 6PPD-quinone, have been detected in rivers, lakes, and streams worldwide. Microplastics from tire wear are one of the largest contributors to freshwater pollution, with a significant portion ending up in sediments or being transported further into marine environments.
Modern tire formulations, often containing higher concentrations of chemicals like 6PPD to enhance performance and durability, exacerbate the issue. This means that even as our transport infrastructure advances, the challenge of chemical pollution grows.
6PPD-Quinone: An Invisible Threat to Fish and Waterways
How Toxic Is 6PPD-Quinone?
B) Where Does 6PPD-Quinone Come From? The right side of the figure explains how this toxic chemical is created:1. From tires: - A car with four tires can release between 1.4 and 500 grams of 6PPD-quinone each year. - A truck with 18 tires can release more than 10 kilograms per year. 2. How it happens: When tire particles mix with rainwater and react with ozone in the air, 6PPD-quinone is formed. 3. Where it ends up: Rainwater washes this chemical off roads and into nearby rivers and streams, where it builds up and harms fish and other aquatic life.
What Can We Do?
The problem is clear: Rainwater from roads carries harmful chemicals like 6PPD-quinone straight into the environment. But the solution is also clear: We need to stop the pollution before it reaches our waterways.
How Do We Solve This Problem?
The study suggests several approaches to address the issue:
- Developing alternative antioxidants: Environmentally friendly substitutes for 6PPD could reduce the formation of toxic transformation products.
- Source control and filtration: Capturing pollutants at their source, such as at road drainage points, can prevent these toxins from entering the environment.
- Stronger regulation: Tighter controls on tire composition and systematic monitoring of microplastic pollution are essential.
BAIONYX Offers a Solution
The study highlights that one of the most effective ways to mitigate this pollution is through source control—filtering contaminants where they are generated before they reach the environment. This is precisely where BAIONYX can make a difference.
Our innovative filtration solution is specifically designed to capture microplastics and harmful chemicals like 6PPD-quinone from road drainage systems. Our technology operates directly in wells and drains that collect stormwater from roads, where tire wear particles and other pollutants accumulate. The result is a significant reduction in the release of microplastics and toxins into nearby water systems.
A Step Towards Cleaner Waterways
Protecting our ecosystems and future generations requires action—through both regulation and innovative solutions. BAIONYX is ready to lead the charge by offering a solution that doesn’t just address the problem but prevents it.
We can make a difference – right at the source.
Want to learn more about our solution or how your municipality or company can implement this technology? Contact us today and be part of the solution.
