Distribution of persistent organochlorine chemical residues in blood plasma of three species of vultures from India

The presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in blood plasma of white-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis, Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, and griffon vulture Gyps fulvus collected from Ahmedabad, India. All the samples had varying levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. Statistically significant (P?<?0.05) differences among species were detected for beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (??-HCH), ??HCH, and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). The mean concentration of ??HCH, ??DDT, and ??PCBs among plasma ranged from 43.7 to 136, 8.8 to 64.8, and 226 to 585 ng/ml, respectively. Among the various OCPs analyzed, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p ^??-DDE) was detected most frequently. The concentrations of cyclodiene insecticides detected were lower than the other organochlorine residues. The levels of pesticides measured in plasma samples of three species of vulture were comparable to the results documented for a number of avian species and were lower than those reported to have deleterious effects on survival or reproduction of birds. Although no threat is posed by any of the organochlorine pesticides detected, continuous monitoring of breeding colonies is recommended. This study is also the first account of a comprehensive analysis of toxicants present in blood plasma of vulture species in India. The values reported in this study can serve as guidelines for future research in general as well as control values during the analysis of samples obtained from birds in the event of suspected organochlorine poisoning.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in sediments from coastal environment of Cantabria (northern Spain) and evaluation of the Atlantic Ocean

This paper documents levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in coastal surface sediments from selected reference sites on the northern Atlantic Spanish coast. One hundred eight samples covering three estuaries in the Cantabrian Coast were sampled in 2006 and analyzed in the finer fraction (<63 ??m) for 19 OCs by gas chromatography with electron capture detector after confirmation by mass spectrometry. Detected organochlorine pesticides were endosulfan ??, endosulfan ??, endosulfan sulfate, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, dieldrin, methoxychlor, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (4,4??-DDE) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (4,4??-DDD). Total OCs concentrations ranged from 1.8 ng g^???1 dry weight (dw) to 3.9 ng g^???1 dw, showing a uniform distribution along the studied area, and being consistent with recorded levels in the literature for coastal sediments in other reference sites with low levels of pollution by OCs along the Atlantic Ocean. Endosulfan, 4,4??-DDD, HCB, aldrin, and dieldrin seemed to be ubiquitous as the legacy of past uses and deposition. OCs concentrations were significantly correlated to organic matter content and particle size distribution. No adverse biological effects derived from these pollutants are expected to take place as it can be concluded from the comparison with the existent marine sediment quality guidelines.     

固相萃取-GC/MS法测定水中16种有机氯农药

采用HLB固相萃取柱富集水样,乙酸乙酯溶剂洗脱,加入氘代菲作为内标,利用气相色谱/质谱联用法选择离子模式测定水中16种有机氯农药,优化了固相萃取条件。16种有机氯农药在5.00μg/L~250μg/L范围内线性良好,按1 L水样计算,方法最低检出限为1.4 ng/L~19.4 ng/L,相对标准偏差为3.5%~20.0%,平均加标回收率为44.7%~119%。     

Studies on urban drinking water quality in a tropical zone

Anthropogenic activities associated with industrialization, agriculture and urbanization have led to the deterioration in water quality due to various contaminants. To assess the status of urban drinking water quality, samples were collected from the piped supplies as well as groundwater sources from different localities of residential, commercial and industrial areas of Lucknow City in a tropical zone of India during pre-monsoon for estimation of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and heavy metals. Bacterial contamination was found to be more in the samples from commercial areas than residential and industrial areas. OCPs like α,γ-hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1 p,p-DDE {dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethene)} were found to be present in most of the samples from study area. The total organochlorine pesticide levels were found to be within the European Union limit (0.5 μg/L) in most of the samples. Most of the heavy metals estimated in the samples were also found to be within the permissible limits as prescribed by World Health Organization for drinking water. Thus, these observations show that contamination of drinking water in urban areas may be mainly due to municipal, industrial and agricultural activities along with improper disposal of solid waste. This is an alarm to safety of public health and aquatic environment in tropics.     

The Status of Pesticide Residues in the Drinking Water Sources in Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China

The study was carried out to assess the levels of pesticide residues in the water of Meiliangwan Bay, Taihu Lake of China. The most commonly employed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and herbicide atrazine were analyzed. The water samples were collected seasonally from Meiliangwan Bay within a period of one year. The pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with μECD or NPD after solid-phase extraction (SPE), which was confirmed by GC with an ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The mean concentrations were 1.98 ng/l for lindane, 0.378 ng/l for heptachlor epoxide, 0.367 ng/l for p,p′-DDE, 0.496 ng/l for p,p′-DDD, 1.06 ng/l for p,p′-DDT and 51.6 ng/l for dichlorvos, 39.0 ng/l for demeton, 346 ng/l for dimethoate, 4.12 ng/l for methyl parathion, 11.6 ng/l for malathion, 2.17 ng/l for parathion and 217 ng/l for atrazine. Generally, low concentrations of OCP were found, whereas the concentrations of the OPPs and atrazine in the water of Taihu Lake were relatively high. Heptachlor epoxide and lindane were the two most commonly encountered OCPs while dichlorvos, demeton and dimethoate were found to have much higher concentrations and occurrences than other OPPs.     

Enhancement effect of two ecological earthworm species (Eisenia foetida and Amynthas robustus E. Perrier) on removal and degradation processes of soil DDT

Effects of two ecological earthworm species (epigeic Eisenia foetida and endogeic Amynthas robustus E. Perrier) with different densities (15 and 30 individuals per kg of soil) on the removal of soil 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) with two pollution levels (2 and 4 mg kg(-1)) were investigated. Concentrations of DDT and its metabolites, including 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), and 1-chloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDMU), were monitored after 60, 180, and 360 days of incubation. The results obtained showed that both earthworm species can significantly enhance degradation of soil DDT to its metabolites. For E. foetida, the higher earthworm density showed significantly higher rate of DDT degradation than the lower one. Anaerobic reductive dechlorination was the main degradation pathway over 180 days of incubation, while the aerobic dechlorination process was promoted between 180 and 360 days of incubation. Some earthworm amended treatments showed significantly higher microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen than the control, which suggested that earthworms might enhance the microbial degradation of DDT. Both earthworm species would have the potential to be applied to enhance the remediation of agricultural lands polluted by DDT.     

Assessment of the levels of DDT and DDE in soil and blood samples from Tabasco, Mexico

In Mexico, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) was used until the year 2000, principally in agriculture and anti-paludal program health campaigns. The southeastern region of Mexico was an important area of malaria, and from 1957 DDT was applied indoors every 6?months, with a coverage of 2?g/m². The current study was performed in Tabasco, a Mexican state located in the southeastern region of Mexico. DDT and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDE) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In general, low levels were found in household outdoor samples; the levels of DDT ranged from not detectable to 0.048?mg/kg, and of DDE from 0.001 to 0.068?mg/kg. An important finding was that, in all communities where DDT in blood was analyzed, exposure to DDT was found, indicating both past and present exposure. Although the levels found in this study were lower than other studies in Mexico, there is a need to evaluate whether the people living in the study area are at risk.     

Environmental and Biological Monitoring of Organochlorine Residues after the Plague Epidemic in Surat, India - A Preliminary Study

In late August 1994, an outbreak of human pneumonic/bubonic plague was reported in Surat, India. During the epidemic, large amounts of pesticides, such as benzene-hexachloride (BHC) and other organochlorinated compounds were used to control the vector that might have transmitted the plague. In order to evaluate the extent of contamination, both environmental samples (9 water samples and 4 soil samples) and biological samples (5 blood and urine samples) were collected and analyzed for organochlorine residues. Samples were analyzed after hexane extraction by gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), using a PTE-5 capillary column. The results showed that the levels of 1,1-(2,2-dichloroethenylidene)-bis[4-chlorobenzene] (DDE), a major metabolite of DDT, were low in environmental samples (water, soil), while BHC levels were relatively high in one of the water sample as well as two soil samples. The BHC and DDE levels in the biological samples were not higher than those reported earlier from India, except for serum DDE. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure as the present study was based on limited samples.     

固相萃取- GC/MS法测定水中有机氯农药

建立了固相萃取-气相色谱／质谱联用测定水中痕量六六六、滴滴涕和环氧七氯的方法。采用C18固相萃取柱富集水样，二氯甲烷／丙酮混合溶剂洗脱，加入菲-d10作为内标，利用气相色谱／质谱联用仪选择离子监测模式检测，内标法定量，定性、定量准确，线性响应良好，干扰小，按采样1 L计算，方法检出限为4．26ng／L～19、2ng／L，RSD在0、4％-6、3％之间，平均加标回收率在77．7％～118％之间，实际样品测定结果表明方法能满足环境水体中痕量有机氯农药的监测要求。     

Incidence of organochlorine pesticides in soils of Shenzhen, China

To determine the incidence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil in a rapid urbanization region, soil samples from various land use types in Shenzhen were collected in winter, 2007. The concentration of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) ranged from non-detected to 149 ng g(-1) and 19 to 88 ng g(-1), respectively. The highest levels of OCPs were observed in soil from traffic and industry areas, reflecting that intensive human disturbance make the soil pollution accumulation more disperse. HCHs and DDTs profiles revealed that the sources were associated mainly with lindane and technical DDTs, respectively, while HCHs in the soil of Shenzhen might originate from both recent and historical sources. The loss of OCPs by soil erosion will enter surface runoff and impose impact on the water environment. Non-dietary exposure estimation indicates that children were the most sensitive group. The average daily exposure to OCPs for males was more serious than for females. Non-dietary exposure to DDTs and HCHs in residential blocks of Shenzhen were far below the acceptable daily intake recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization.     

The source of DDT and its metabolites contamination in Turkish agricultural soils

The concentration and impact of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDE: 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) on the environment was expected to decrease after its ban in the mid-1980s. Unfortunately, DDT contamination via its presence as an impurity in dicofol (2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol) has led to a new source of contamination. This is particularly true especially in cotton production in Söke Plain, Turkey, where difocol-based pesticides are being used. The aim of this research was to investigate the extent and source of DDT contamination in cotton soils. Söke Plain soil samples were collected from 0–30, 30–60, and 60–90-cm depth and analyzed by GC/MS/MS. o,p′-DDT and p, p′-DDE were detected at 16.2 % and 17.6 % of the sites in the 0–30-cm depth of soils. In the 30–60 cm, p, p′-DDT (14.9 %), o, p′-DDE (8.1 %) and p, p′-DDE (2.7 %) were found in soil samples, and p, p′-DDT was the most prevalent with 9.5 % of the sampling sites. The dominant source of DDT particularly in the 60–90-cm depth was due to historic use of DDT. The presence of p, p′-DDE, o, p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT in the topsoil was attributed to recent dicofol applications.     

Concentrations and inventories of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in watershed soils in the Pearl River Delta,China

The concentration levels, source, and inventories of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 55 surface vegetable soils in the watershed of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) were analyzed and compared with those of the surface sediments in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and northern South China Sea (SCS). The 16 priority PAHs on US EPA list range from 58 to 3,077 microg/kg (average: 315 microg/kg). The concentrations of DDTs and HCHs range from 3.58 to 831 microg/kg (average: 82.1 microg/kg) and from 0.19 to 42.3 microg/kg (average: 4.42 microg/kg). The ratios of DDT/ (DDD+DDE) are higher than 2 in majority of the soil samples, suggesting that DDT contamination still exists. The PAH ratios suggest that the source of PAHs is petroleum, and combustion of fossil fuel, biomass, and coal. The average concentrations of PAHs and the linear regression slope between PAHs and TOC for the soils and the sediments are quite similar. It was estimated that the soil mass inventories at 0-20 cm depth are 1,292 metric tons for PAHs and 356 metric tons for OCPs in the studied region. The average PAHs inventory per unit area for the soil samples investigated in PRD is about 0.86 time that of surface sediments in the Pearl River Estuary, and about 2.43 times that of surface sediments in the northern South China Sea. PAHs in the soils in PRD have similar source to those of the surface sediments in PRE. All of those may suggest that PAHs in PRE and SCS are probably mainly inputted from the soils in PRD via soil erosion and river transport.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and two organochlorine pesticides (DDT and BHC) in crops irrigated with secondary treated waste water

Four crop plants Oryza sativa (rice), Solanum melongena (brinjal), Spinacea oleracea (spinach) and Raphanus sativus (radish) were grown to study the impact of secondary treated municipal waste water irrigation. These plants were grown in three plots each of 0.5 ha, and irrigated with secondary treated waste water from a sewage treatment plant. Sludge from the same sewage treatment plant was applied as manure. Cultivated plants were analyzed for accumulation of heavy metals and pesticides. Results revealed the accumulation of six heavy metals cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) as well as two pesticides [1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane; DDT] and benzene hexa chloride (BHC). Order of the plants for the extent of bioaccumulation was S. oleracea > R. sativus > S. melongena > O. sativa. The study has shown the secondary treated waste water can be a source of contamination to the soil and plants.     

快速溶剂萃取-气相色谱/串联质谱法测定农作物中的有机氯农药

建立快速溶剂萃取,固相萃取柱净化,气相色谱/串联四极杆质谱检测分析农作物中23种有机氯农药残留的方法。以油菜为样品,加标浓度为5、10、25、50μg/kg时,平均回收率在72%~101%之间,相对标准偏差3%~14%(n=5)。8种农作物(莴笋、黄瓜、蒜苗、辣椒、油菜、茄子、玉米和水稻)加标浓度为25μg/kg时的平均回收率在71%~113%之间,相对标准偏差3%~16%(n=5)。方法检出限0.75~1.76μg/kg之间。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in surface soils from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Eighty eight surface soil samples were collected from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDXs) and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs). The measured concentrations were 51.8 ± 38.5 ng g(-1), 0.329 ± 0.818 ng g(-1), and 0.467 ± 0.741 ng g(-1) as means and standard deviations of PAHs, DDXs, and HCHs, respectively, which were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported for eastern China. Significant differences were also revealed among four sub-areas within QTP. PAHs detected in the samples from the remote sub-areas of T'ang-ku-la/Hoh Xil Mountains and along the Qinghai-Tibet highway in the west and northwest of QTP were 1 order of magnitude lower than those from Lhasa and east Qinghai. The differences in soil OCPs among the sub-areas were 2-7 times. Soil PAHs were significantly correlated with emission density and soil organic carbon content (SOC), while OCPs were correlated significantly with the population density and SOC. Based on the calculated backward air mass trajectories and geographical distributions of emission and population, it was revealed that PAHs and OCPs accumulated in the soils in the west and northwest QTP were primarily from long-range transport and may represent the background levels of East Asia. This part of QTP can also serve as an important receptor area for regional or even global long-range transport study. The elevated concentrations of PAHs and OCPs in Lhasa and east Qinghai were mainly from local sources, while PAHs from adjacent Lanzhou area also contributed considerably to the accumulation of PAHs in east Qinghai.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorine pesticides in human breast milk from Massachusetts, USA

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs; DDTs, HCHs, CHLs, and HCB) were measured in human breast milk samples collected across Massachusetts, USA, in 2004. Seventeen PBDE congeners were found in the samples, ranging in concentration from 0.06 to 1910 ng g(-1) lipid wt. BDE-47 (2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE), BDE-99 (2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE), and BDE-100 (2,2',4,4',6-pentaBDE) were the major congeners detected in breast milk samples. Overall mean (+/-SD) concentrations of DDTs, HCHs, CHLs, and HCB were 64.5 +/- 75, 18.9 +/- 19, 32.4 +/- 36, and 2.3 +/- 2.2 ng g(-1) lipid wt, respectively. Concentrations of PBDEs were strongly correlated with concentrations of OCPs in the samples. Based on the concentrations of organohalogens and the intake rates of breast milk by infants in the United States, daily ingestion rates of contaminants were calculated. The median ingestion rates for PBDEs, HCHs, DDTs, CHLs, and HCB were 4.0, 212, 141, 44, and 5.79 ng kg(-1) body wt day(-1), respectively. The estimated daily intake of organohalogens by infants was compared with threshold reference values suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), for calculation of hazard quotients (HQs). HQs for individual organohalogens and the sum of HQ for all organohalogens were calculated as HQ indices (HQI). The results suggest that one or more of the contaminants analyzed in this study exceeded the threshold reference values in at least 26% of the breast milk samples.     

水体沉积物中有毒有机污染物的监测研究进展

介绍了水体沉积物中有毒有机污染物监测的预处理技术,重点评述了我国水体沉积物中主要有毒有机污染物多环芳烃、多氯联苯和有机氯农药的监测研究现状,认为水体沉积物中有毒有机污染物研究领域今后发展的重点和方向是广泛开展国内主要河流、湖泊、海洋的监测研究和其在水体环境中的迁移及转化机理、生殖毒性以及污染消减与修复技术研究;加强新型预处理技术及其与大型仪器联用技术的研究;尽早建立水体沉积物中有毒有机污染物的监测方法标准及污染评价标准。     

Levels and source of organochlorine pesticides in surface waters of Qiantang River, China

Qiantang River is a typical river used for drinking water source, flowing through agricultural area in east China. Surface water samples at 45 sampling sites from the river were collected and analyzed for 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during six surveys in 2 years of 2005–2006. Sediments, soils, farmland runoff water and dry/wet deposition of this region were also measured for their OCPs residue in order to know possible source of OCPs contamination. The total OCPs concentrations in surface water were 7.68–615.2 ng/l. β-HCH, δ-HCH, Aldrin, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide are the major OCPs in water. The maximum levels of OCPs in water were found in July, while significantly lower OCP concentrations were measured in January. Significant linear correlation was found between the concentration of HCH and that of total 13 OCPs in water. The measured OCP concentrations in sediments, soils, farmland runoff water and dry/wet deposition are discussed in relation to concentrations and patterns found in the surface water. Comparison of OCP levels in sediments and soils led to conclusion that erosion of soil contribute significantly to the contamination of water. The OCPs dry and wet deposition to water body was estimated to 0.49 and 0.86 ton/year, respectively. The ratio of α/γ-HCH and (DDE+DDD)/∑DDT in environmental matrix indicated there probably existed new OCPs input of lindane and dicofol into the river.     

Organochlorine compounds in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and fallow deer (Dama dama L.) from inland and coastal Croatia

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OCP) levels in fat tissue of red and fallow deer (Cervus elaphus L. and Dama dama L.) from two inland and an Adriatic area were established. Of 17 analysed PCBs, PCB-28, PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-180 and PCB-118 were found in all samples, whilst PCB-101 and PCB-170 were found in more than 50% of samples. They ranged between 0.03 and 5.98 ng g(-1) fat weight. Of seven analysed OCPs, HCB, γ-HCH and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) were found in all samples, whilst β-HCH was found in more than 50% of samples. They ranged between 0.17 and 22.14 ng g(-1) fat weight. The dominating compounds were DDE, PCB-138, PCB153, PCB-118 and PCB-180. According to the Duncan multistage test, the levels of PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB 170 and PCB-180 were significantly higher in perirenal fat samples of specimens taken from the Adriatic area. DDE was significantly higher in the inland deer samples. Some species differences were determined and were mostly related to higher PCB and β-HCH levels in fallow deer samples and higher DDE levels in red deer samples. No sex difference was established. As for age, significantly higher levels of PCB-118 and PCB-52 were found in fawns.     

珠江三角洲城市群及高海拔地区表层土中有机氯农药的空间分布特征

利用GC-ECD方法测定了珠江三角洲城市群及高海拔地区表层土壤中的有机氯农药。有机氯农药变幅为2.4~78.7 ng/g,平均15.9 ng/g。最高值出现在江门。总HCHs变幅为ND~19.2 ng/g,平均2.91 ng/g, 最高值出现在佛山。总DDTs变幅为ND~74.6 ng/g,平均值为9.91 ng/g。最高值出现在东莞。六氯苯在佛山较高。灭蚁灵在深圳的污染较其它地区严重。总体来说,HCHs污染程度较低,但部分地区有林丹的使用;有些采样点DDTs的污染程度超过了国家土壤环境质量标准的一级自然背景值,且有些区域可能有非三氯杀螨醇的DDTs外源输入。