Coho salmon in urban areas were dying from stormwater runoff, but scientists didn’t know why until a few years ago.
A team of researchers from Washington State University and University of Washington identified a chemical found in tires as the culprit.
Tires contain 6PPD, which keeps the rubber from cracking after exposure to ozone in the atmosphere. But 6PPD also reacts with ozone, forming the organic chemical 6PPD-quinone.
During rainstorms, tire dust washes into rivers and streams, where 6PPD-quinone is lethal to juvenile and adult coho in small doses. It’s a complex issue—with no easy fix.
Caitlin Lawrence and Nathan Ivy are master’s students studying aquatic toxicology at WSU’s School of the Environment. Washington State Magazine science writer Becky Kramer talked with them about their separate research projects related to coho and 6PPD-quinone.
Links and resources mentioned in this episode
The podcast music is by WSU emeritus professor of music and composer Greg Yasinitsky.
______________________________________________________________________________
Want more great WSU stories? Follow Washington State Magazine:
- LinkedIn @Washington-State-Magazine
- Bluesky @wastatemagazine.bsky.social
- X (formerly Twitter) @wsmagazine
- Facebook @WashingtonStateMagazine
- Instagram @WashingtonStateMagazine
- YouTube @WashingtonStateMagazine
- Email newsletter
How do you like the magazine podcast? What WSU stories do you want to hear? Let us know.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.