USGS tests for pesticides after Hurricane Irene

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is collecting samples of water to test and document the presence of pesticides, E coli, nutrients and sediment in areas of the US east coast affected by Hurricane Irene.

The states of North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida were hit by the storm, which started on 27 August 2011.

The USGS will collect samples where the hurricane brought high water flows, which have the potential to create higher concentrations of E coli in areas that use surface water for drinking.

USGS coordinator of the sampling effort Charles Crawford said that it is important to document high water events, because a storm event can flush large quantities of nutrients, pesticides and bacteria into rivers and alter sediment flow.