newts dying why

[newtenstein]

we have found five adult newts dead one after another at bottom of pond--any ideas why?
(in month of
may). recently started refilling pond after water drop with collected rainwater pond size six by twelve feet

[thunder]

Any signs of injury to newts? What else is in the pond?

henrya

[Dogghound]

Also is anything else dead or just the newts and where did the rainwater come from i.e water tank etc? do you use any chemicals in the garden i.e weed killer, pesticides?

[newtenstein]

hi
only the adult newts dying--one had injury to chest--others no visable damage but looked very thin! apparantly
in pond are diving beetles but they have always been there and one frog left from breeding?--we can hear it in the day but not seen

the rain water came from roof of house into new plastic rainwater barrels-this has made pond clearer than using tap water but theres still loads of plants ,mud,larvae and the few surviving tadpoles left (from hundreds-) water boatmen etc

there were some smaller newts as well and we have"nt seen them recently either.

[Grrrrrr]

New plastic rain water barrels?

Think that might be your problem, especially if the weather has been warm. The plasticiser from the manufacturing process will leach out from the plastic for some time. Probably OK for plants but the newts may absorb it through their skin. Suspect chest injury probably due to scavanging tad poles rather than water bettle attack. Suggest only using water barrel water on garden till next year. A little regular top up with tap water shouldn't hurt them.

Trying deperately to think of what might help reverse the damage. Only thing I can think of is some clean clay. That might help adsorb the plasticiser to its surface. Maybe if you put some clay in tights and suspended that in the water for a few weeks and then pulled them out and emptied it on the garden it might help? Only guessing though. Worth a try?

[newtenstein]

thanks to everyone who replied

sounds v. possible it could be barrels--we will stop as suggested and see what happens-if it is they should put a warning on them.-i will contact d.i.y. store if it might be so.
the clay suggestion -its worth a go. but its quite a large pond
sad--as the newts were already here before us.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Grrrrrr

New plastic rain water barrels?

The plasticiser from the manufacturing process will leach out from the plastic for some time. Probably OK for plants

That's rather alarming! Is that the same stuff that mimics...um, is it oestrogen? (Phthalates?) How long does it take to leach out? Does it break down in the soil? Would it be absorbed by vegetables? Oooer

[Grrrrrr]

Some of them mimic oestrogen. As for how long before it leaches out, depends on a number of factors. The type of plastic, the ambient temperature, the acidity of the water. Most will come out pretty quick and each time you change the water the levels will drastically reduce. Probably OK after a month but I just don't know so probably best play safe and leave it over the summer or till next spring.

I use old wine barrels. Safer and look much better in my opinion. If you find a grower near you or a salvage yard you can pick them up quite cheaply. A trip to the plumbers merchant will be needed to get a tank connector, extension and brass tap. Easy to get the lid off but a real pain getting it back in place! Had to get the local blacksmith to make a stand for it though which kind of puts the price up. Overall not as cheap but finished product very much superior.

Come to think about it, if you want a cheap plastic alternative, a local food manufacturer might be worth a visit. A lot of foodstuffs come in plastic barrels and these will have to be safe before any food goes in them. Wouldn't have thought they'd be used again either so they probably just chuck them or recycle them. They'd probably give you one if you ask!

Moving on. Will it break down? Yes, over time. Will the vegetables absorb it? Possibly a little but I'd imagine it would wash away or be adsorbed by clay in the soil so levels would be almost undetectable by the time they're fully grown. I think you're probably safe!