Not directly pine barren related; however, those who fish may find it interesting. And the same is surely happening here.
Salmon have been dying mysteriously on the West Coast for years. Scientists think a chemical in tires may be responsible | CNN
For decades, huge numbers of coho salmon have been turning up dead as they return to spawn in streams along the US West Coast. Now scientists have zeroed in on what they think is the culprit: a toxic chemical antioxidant that’s used in tires.
www.cnn.com